Few things seem more quintessentially Victorian than "tea." Today, Victorian-style "teas" are still popular, usually as a very expensive offering hosted by high-end hotels and tea-shops. While we tend to think of tea as an afternoon snack, "tea" could actually indicate a variety of meals. Tea-parties provided an alternative to the more formal Victorian dinner party; they were easier to manage and offered a lighter selection of foods (generally arranged buffet-style, thus eliminating the need to have servants wait on the guests). Our Cooking section offers a variety of recipes for tea treats, both sweet and savoury.

High Tea (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1878)

Tips on hosting this quintessential Victorian meal.

"In Tea-Cup Time" (Scribner's, 1879A)

Tips on hosting a tea-party.

High Tea (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

A "capital institution" for "people who are not in the habit of giving dinner-parties, who do not keep an unlimited number of servants," and who prefer to have the table laid before their guests arrive. Recipes include Oyster Kromeskies, Wyndham Cutlets, Orange Souffle Pudding and Pineapple Cream.

The Tea Table: How to Furnish and Decorate, by Laura Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

The Home-Coming; Progressive Dinner Parties; Floral Teas, by Laura Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

How to Give an Afternoon Tea, by Minnie Ramsey (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

A "five o'clock tea" could be a major social event, with "hundreds of people coming and going." It was not a "sit-down" event, but rather one in which people came in, dined on delicacies whilst standing and chatting, and went out again.

Receptions; Afternoon Teas; Some Choice Dishes, by Laura Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

Afternoon Tea: A Chat Over the Teacups, by Amy S. Woods (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

"Within the last twenty years the simple but most popular meal known by the name of 'afternoon tea' has become a prominent feature in domestic and social life." Though it has also been condemned by some... "We are told that women drink far more tea than is good for them and are growing more nervous in consequence..."

Pretty Luncheons and Dainty Teas (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

A collection of entertainment ideas for luncheons and teas, including a Shakespearian luncheon, a literary luncheon, an old-fashioned tea, etc.

New Ideas for Teas, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Some ideas for decorations and entertainments.

• See also

Cooking: Tea-Time Treats

Parties, Entertainments & Social Calling