In recent years, vintage afternoon teas have seen a massive surge in popularity, and we spoke to Amy and Joney at vintage-style Bristol tearoom Cox & Baloney to find out why.
Afternoon tea has always been a tradition amongst the Royals in Britain, originating in the 19th century. It was designed to be a little stomach filler between the larger meals of lunch and the evening meal, although it has remained something of a treat even today.
However, in recent years it has seen something of a resurgence. Adding a ‘vintage’ feel has made the afternoon tea even more popular and, ironically, gives it a modern twist. Combining afternoon tea with the popular vintage culture that’s swept the nation also gives a sense of national pride that’s boosted awareness of everything beautifully British.
For whatever reason, afternoon tea is well and truly back – and we couldn’t be happier about it. What’s not to love?
We feel that afternoon tea is popular here with us (we can sell 200+ on a Saturday alone) because we keep the traditional element, but put some fun back into it. After all, it’s meant to be a happy treat and many sit down for a tea party when celebrating an event.
Tea goes well with afternoon tea dishes as it’s refreshing, helps to cleanse the palate between sweet and savoury and does not have an overpowering bitter taste like coffee. Combining some sweet teas with prosecco is another fun way to enjoy your tea party.
If you’re looking to create your own vintage afternoon tea, here are some tips from us:
- Begin by giving your room or table a vintage makeover by sourcing some pretty crockery from charity shops, digging out a nice colourful tablecloth, picking some flowers and hanging some bunting on the walls. If you can find a three-tiered cake stand, then even better!
- For a more traditional afternoon tea that’s big on nostalgia, serve classics such as Victoria sponge, Bakewell slice, fondant fancies, and, of course, fruit scones (clotted cream & jam are a must!
- Introduce a savoury element by making a selection of finger sandwiches (crusts on or off? you choose!)
- Then you just need to display your sandwiches and cakes on the stand (or a couple of large plates) and add some fresh berries or flowers to finish off.
- Chill some bubbly on ice, or have pots of tea brewing on the table…and enjoy!