High tea

Afternoon tea is one of life’s simple pleasures and it’s hugely popular, meaning it can form a lucrative part of operators’ food and drink offering

Afternoon Tea Week, 8-14 August

The quintessential afternoon tea has been enjoyed for well over a century in Britain and its popularity never wanes; if anything it keeps increasing. For venues serving hot drinks, it’s a profitable add-on and for pubs and restaurants, it’s a profitable way to extend the day parts and fill quieter afternoon periods.

Afternoon tea comes in all shapes and sizes – sweet, savoury, themed. Its appeal spans all ages and tastes and can be as simple as a cup of tea with a scone, jam and

clotted cream or more elaborate with sandwiches, savoury bites, cakes and biscuits. It’s a cost-effective option to make but can have a premium price attached, especially when alcohol is included. They can be prepared in advance, you can secure trade by taking bookings and they are so easy to make as a takeaway option to increase sales further.

Did you know?

US BRITS DRINK AROUND 100 MILLION CUPS OF TEA EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Top tips

» Have something light and something fruity to balance out other rich flavours.

» Don’t be tempted to overfill the cake stand.

» Add healthier choices too, such as a miniature bowl of fresh berries, a salad garnish or crudités.

» Offer versions for special diets – you can take pre-orders.

Afternoon teas

THEMED

Who doesn’t love a theme? There’s so much inspiration for afternoon tea, such as best of British, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and retro sweet shop. Think treats made with summer seasonal ingredients – strawberry custard tarts, crab sandwiches – chocolate teacakes, jam tarts, Willy Wonka rocky road bars with popping candy, chocolate scones and fruit salad macaroons.

Children

» Grated cheese, ham and jam finger sandwiches or mini wraps

» Rainbow fairy cakes, covered in brightly coloured mini sweets

» Mini doughnuts

» Triple chocolate cookie

» Strawberry jelly

» Marshmallow and chocolate-dipped strawberry lollipop

» Milkshake shot, hot chocolate or fresh fruit juice

Savoury

» Cheese and local chutney, roast beef with horseradish and curried egg mayonnaise finger sandwiches

» Chicken Caesar wrap

» Mini crumpets

» Prawn cocktail

» Tomato and pesto tart

» Local cheese selection with flavoured crackers and breads and tangy pickle

DRINKS

» Earl Grey, Assam, Darjeeling, English breakfast, peppermint, decaffeinated and lemon iced teas

» Champagne or prosecco

»Classic gin and tonic

»Pimm’s

»Craft ale

»Speciality coffees

Classic

» Creamy egg and cress, coronation chicken and smoked salmon finger sandwiches

» Plain or sultana scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream

» Mini Victoria sponge

»Bakewell tart

»All-butter shortbread

» Mini chocolate éclair