Customer Reviews

Afternoon Tea, 125g

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I discovered Whittard of Chelsea many years ago on a visit to London, and have since made it a habit to stop by one of their stores whenever I am in Britain. I'm delighted to see, though, that my favorite tea company's products are now also available over the internet.

Contrary to popular belief, for a long time tea was not traditionally consumed at a particular time of day in Britain. Although it had been available for quite a while, it was King Charles II (1660 - 1685) who first made it popular as an all-day beverage. Roughly two centuries later, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, one afternoon had her servants bring her tea and little cakes to conquer the "sinking feeling" she tended to experience every day around this time - and afternoon tea was born when she not only repeated the exercise on a daily basis herself because she liked it so much but also began to serve afternoon tea to friends and fellow courtiers, who soon took to it as well.

Afternoon teas are usually milder than the varieties drunk at breakfast, and not infrequently they also contain traces of other aromas (without going all the way to a perfumed blend such as Earl Grey). Whittard's variety is based primarily on Chinese teas, with just a trace of bergamot, jasmin and rose petals for a fine and ever so slightly exotic taste that goes well with delicate little cakes and finger foods. It's an excellent refreshment between lunch and dinner - as originally intended by the Duchess of Bedford!