Afternoon Tea Week 2022

Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week with us from August 8th – 14th, 2022.

In the UK, we’re not just a nation of coffee lovers, but we’re also famous for enjoying a cup of tea. A recent survey puts tea and coffee in the joint number one spot for our favourite refreshments, with soft drinks like sodas and juices in close third place.

When is Afternoon Tea Week?

Afternoon Tea Week happens every August, and this year, it’s running from August 8th to the 14th, 2022. Afternoon tea is a British tradition of sitting down for a treat of tea or coffee. It’s accompanied by a selection of sandwiches, scones, and cakes. The sandwiches typically will be cut into delicate ‘fingers’ with their crusts cut off the bread. Popular fillings include egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon & cream cheese, cheese & pickle and prawn mayo. Not forgetting the afternoon tea favourite – cucumber sandwiches. Scones can be topped with butter, clotted cream, and jam, and the cakes will be small and finger sized. They’ll often be served on an ornate tiered tray, making it even more special. Many people will also opt for a glass of fizz instead of tea or coffee.

The history of afternoon tea

The history of afternoon tea can be traced all the way back to 1840. It’s thought that it was the invention of the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell. At the time it was usual for people to have only two main meals a day – just breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o’clock in the evening. The Duchess, who at the time was a close friend of Queen Victoria and a prominent figure within London society, complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. And so afternoon tea was born.

Today, however, it is considered mostly a treat for birthdays or celebrations and enjoyed in a luxury hotel or as a welcome relief, after a day of shopping for example. But afternoon tea doesn’t have to be fancy and expensive. It is quite easy to rustle up afternoon tea at home or in the office for friends and colleagues.

Celebrate at work

If you fancy celebrating Afternoon Tea Week at work, you don’t have to go all out and spend a fortune. These types of events are great for supporting your workplace culture and help to bring people together. You can either choose to cater the afternoon tea for the office or invite people to bring in their own baked treats. There are some simple and inexpensive cake and sandwich recipes on the BBC website. Plus, you can even make your own bunting to decorate the office. Watch how to make simple paper bunting here.

If you have any queries about providing your office with a quality coffee experience, simply get in touch with us.