Afternoon Tea at Home with Loose Leaf Tea

In short: a proper afternoon tea at home needs three things: two or three good loose leaf teas, a simple three-tier spread (sandwiches, scones, something sweet) and a relaxed hour around 3 or 4 pm. Serve one classic black tea such as English Breakfast or Darjeeling, one Earl Grey, and brew 2.5 g of leaf per 250 ml of freshly boiled water for 3-4 minutes.

Afternoon tea is one of the most British of rituals, yet most of us only enjoy it in a hotel on a birthday. It is surprisingly easy to recreate at your own kitchen table, and with loose leaf tea in a proper pot it can taste better than many you pay for.

A short history of afternoon tea

The tradition is usually credited to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s. Dinner was served late, around 8 pm, and she began asking for tea, bread and butter and cake in her rooms mid-afternoon. Friends joined her, and within a few decades afternoon tea had become a fixture of British social life.

It is not the same as "high tea", which was a heartier evening meal for working families, served at a high table with meat, pies and bread. If you are serving scones and finger sandwiches, you are hosting afternoon tea.

Choosing the teas

Offer two or three teas with different characters, so guests can switch as the food changes from savoury to sweet. Here is a simple line-up:

A reliable trio from our shelves: English Breakfast for the builder's-tea fans, Earl Grey Premium for the classic bergamot cup, and Margaret's Hope First Flush Darjeeling for something lighter and more special. Browse more options in our black tea and Earl Grey collections.

How much tea to brew

Plan on two to three cups per person over the afternoon. For loose leaf tea in a pot, the classic rule still works: one teaspoon (about 2.5 g) per cup, plus "one for the pot" if you like it strong.

• Water: freshly drawn and just boiled, 95-100°C, for black teas. Let it settle for a minute for Darjeeling (90-95°C).
• Time: 3-4 minutes for English Breakfast and Assam, 3 minutes for Earl Grey, 2-3 minutes for Darjeeling.
• Pot size: a 1 litre pot serves four cups. Warm it with hot water first.
• Remove the leaves: use an infuser basket or strain the tea into a second warmed pot, so the last cup is not stewed.

If you live in a hard water area and your tea looks dull or leaves a film, our guide to the best tea for hard water has a few easy fixes.

Milk first or tea first?

It is the oldest argument at the table. Milk first dates from the days when fine china could crack under very hot tea. Today most tea lovers pour the tea first, so they can judge the strength and add just enough milk. Whatever your camp, add milk only to robust black teas; Darjeeling and Earl Grey are best served plain or with lemon.

What goes on the stand

A traditional three-tier stand is eaten from the bottom up:

1. Bottom tier, sandwiches: crustless finger sandwiches such as cucumber with butter, egg mayonnaise and cress, smoked salmon with cream cheese, and ham with mustard.
2. Middle tier, scones: plain or fruit scones, warm if possible, with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
3. Top tier, sweets: two or three small cakes or bakes, for example lemon drizzle, Victoria sponge squares, shortbread or mini tarts.

No stand? Use three plates on the table in the same order. Allow about 4 sandwich fingers, 1-2 scones and 2 small cakes per person.

Cream or jam first?

In Devon, cream goes on first and jam on top. In Cornwall, it is jam first, then a dollop of cream. Put both out and let your guests decide.

A simple plan for the afternoon

• The day before: bake the scones and cake, buy cucumbers and cream, check your tea stock.
• Morning: make the sandwich fillings and keep them chilled.
• One hour before: assemble the sandwiches, cover them with a damp tea towel, set the table with cups, saucers, milk jug, lemon slices and sugar.
• 15 minutes before: warm the scones in a low oven, boil the kettle and warm the pots.
• When guests sit down: brew the first pot (usually English Breakfast) and keep the kettle ready for a second tea with the scones.

Use your best china if you have it, but mismatched cups and a good brown teapot are just as charming. What matters most is fresh, properly brewed tea and time to enjoy it. If you need a new pot, take a look at our teapots.

Frequently asked questions

What time is afternoon tea served?

Traditionally between 3 pm and 5 pm, with 4 pm the classic hour. At home, any time mid-afternoon works.

Which tea is best for afternoon tea?

English Breakfast and Earl Grey are the favourites. Add a Darjeeling if you want a lighter, more delicate option for the sweet course.

Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf?

You can, but loose leaf tea has more room to unfurl and gives a fuller, smoother cup. For a special occasion, loose leaf in a warmed pot is worth it.

What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?

Afternoon tea is a light mid-afternoon spread of sandwiches, scones and cakes. High tea was a heartier early-evening meal with hot dishes, served to working families.