High Tea at Brambles Tea Room
Until the end of the month, you can enjoy even more afternoon tea in Naples! According to the folks at Brambles, they were inspired after the success of their Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea earlier this year, and will offer a special holiday English tea each afternoon until December 31. “Taking tea” is a term used for several different meals, depending on a country’s customs and its history of drinking tea. Following is a tea primer for those who need some brushing up.
The tea meal can be small or large. According to British custom, high tea is an early evening meal, typically eaten between 5pm and 7pm, followed by a lighter meal (supper) later in the evening. High tea was more common among laborers (farmers, miners, etc), taken when they came home from work. The term high tea was used as a way to distinguish it from afternoon tea. High tea was also called meat tea because of the heartier dishes or hot cooked foods that were served (fish and chips, cold cuts or carved meats). Afternoon tea was usually served between 2pm and 5pm, and featured lighter fare (finger sandwiches, scones).
There is discussion about how the terms high and low were derived. It is more commonly thought that the terms were relative to the time of day. Historically, high tea occurred higher (later) in the day; low tea, lower in the day, closer to noon. Another school of thought is regarding the height of the tables from which the tea is served. Afternoon tea, being served from a low table such as a coffee table while high tea is served from a higher (dinner/kitchen/serving) table. Ironically, the use of the term high tea in the US has become synonymous with an “elegant” or “formal” occasion (ironic given the history of high tea as a laborer’s meal).
Perhaps you can ask Brambles owners, Christopher and Heather about the tradition. Their special Holiday Afternoon Tea will consist of: finger sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, mayo and cream cheese with cucumber), English scone with Strawberries, real Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve, two holiday pastries–pumpkin cheesecake and rumballs (chocolate cake with rum cocoa butter). I don’t know how different this would be from their everyday afternoon tea service, but I’m certainly willing to give it a shot! Maybe I’ll see you there! If you have already attended this special tea, send us a review. I’d love to know your thoughts!
For more information contact:
Brambles English Tea Room 340 Fifth Avenue South, Ste. 102 Naples, FL 34102
Phone: 239.262.7894
Website: www.bramblestearooms.com
