When Brits use the word, “tea,” they may refer to a drink
made by infusing dried leaves with hot water. But more often than not, they
mean something else entirely. For most of the Brits I’ve met, “tea” can refer
to almost any meal (except, oddly, breakfast) whether or not they involve hot,
leafy beverages. From what I could gather, the word “tea” is only really
specific in two cases. There’s “afternoon tea,” which happens in a garden in
fine weather. Seating is casual (in fact, sometimes it’s nonexistent) and
guests may find themselves balancing teacups on knees or strolling with a cup
in one hand and a saucer in the other. Food is understated at afternoon teas,
and may simply be scones with jam. High tea is a much more formal, indoor affair,
involving a table with high-backed chairs. There are usually several courses to
a high tea, with savory dishes, finger sandwiches, cakes and little sweets.
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