Afternoon Tea Week is a celebration of one of the nation's favourite treats and traditions. So, we’ve written this blog to give you an overview of afternoon tea week and how you can celebrate it.
What is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon Tea is a British tradition, it consists of finger food which is traditionally enjoyed with a hot drink such as tea or coffee. Over the last few years, ‘Sparkling Afternoon Tea’ has increased popularity which is where the delicious treats are enjoyed alongside a glass or two of Prosecco.
What is food is served in an Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is generally served on a three-tier plate, the bottom layer consists of a selection of sandwiches, this varies from place to place, the top 5 choices for afternoon tea sandwiches are;
- Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese
- Egg Mayonnaise & Cress
- Chicken & Mayonnaise
- Cucumber & Cream Cheese
- Cheese & Chutney
Other sandwiches that could be on the menu are beef & horseradish, ham & mustard, tuna & mayonnaise, roasted vegetables & cream cheese, and prawn & mayonnaise.
They are often cut into thin finger sandwiches or sometimes they will come in triangles with the crusts come off and usually as a mixture of granary and white bread sandwiches. They are really simple to make so even if you decided you want to enjoy an afternoon tea at home, you’ll be able to make these delicious sandwiches to enjoy.
The middle layer usually consists of a selection of delicious cakes in various flavours. They are usually dainty in their size and come in a variety of flavours when ordering from a café or restaurant, it will be various cakes that are available on the day, so you aren’t always guaranteed to get your favourites.
For an Afternoon Tea at home, you’ll be able to enjoy a selection of your favourite cakes. Our Baby Sponges are ideal for an afternoon tea at home, these mini cakes are dainty and perfect for this delightful meal. They are available in a range of flavours including; Victoria, Lemon, Carrot, Coffee, Chocolate and lots more. They also come in gluten free and Vegan flavours, so even those with dietary requirements can enjoy a wonderful afternoon treat. The box sizes available are 4, 8, 16, 40, 80 or 120, so whether you’re planning an intimate Afternoon Tea for 2 or a large gathering with friends and family, you’ll be able to find the perfect amount of little cakes with Sponge.co.uk.
The final tier is the finishing touch of scones, jam, and clotted cream. The scones can be either fruit or plain, depending on your preferences, and can be bought at many shops if you want to give this yummy treat a go at home.
Where can I enjoy an Afternoon Tea?
There are many cafes and restaurants that offer afternoon tea as an option on their menus, we always recommend trying an independent café to support small local businesses where possible. As mentioned above, you can also enjoy an afternoon tea in the comfort of your own home, you provide the sandwiches and scones and we’ll provide the cakes!
What other options do Sponge offer for an Afternoon Tea?
Along with our baby sponges, we also have a number of personalisation items to create the ideal Afternoon Tea package to send to yourself, or to send as a treat to a friend, family member, or loved one.
With our cakes, you can include a selection of hot drink sachets, including tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. We also have Prosecco to add for a sparkling Afternoon Tea experience, and if you want to go one step further to create a Spa Afternoon Tea package, we even have face masks to include!
It’s so easy to enjoy an Afternoon Tea in the comfort of your own home, and the great thing about this meal is that it’s perfect to enjoy indoors or outdoors. So, whether it’s rain or shine, you should treat yourself this National Afternoon Tea Week to a delicious treat and tradition.
We deliver our cakes all over the country with UK wide delivery, from London, Norwich, Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, and even Northern Ireland! It’s so simple and easy to get a cake delivered straight to your door, just visit sponge.co.uk and order your cakes online!