The origins of afternoon tea are credited to Anna the Duchess of Bedford in the 1700’s. In those days, dinner wasn’t served until late in the evening. It is said that she “had a sinking feeling” in the middle afternoon and asked her maid to bring her a bit of something to eat and a pot of tea. This small “snack,” pleased her greatly and she began to invite her friends for “afternoon tea.”
There are many different kinds of tea.