这是简介，还有很多细节介绍，在参考资料链接里。
AfternoonTeaistheservicethatcomestomindwhenwethinkofasophisticatedBritishtea.It’stheelegantrepastservedat4or5pm,consistingofteawithscones,smallsandwiches,cakesandotherpastries.
ACreamTeameansthatclottedcreamisservedaswell.Clottedcream,alsocalledDevonshirecream,isathickcreammadebyheatingmilkuntilalayerofcreamformsonitssurfacethatisthencooledandskimmedoff.
Afternoonteawas"invented"byAnna,DuchessofBedford(1783–1857),wifeofthe7thDuke,in1840as"awaytoquelltheinevitablehungerpangsbetweenlunchanddinner".Inotherwords,she“gottoohungryfordinnerateight…”!
Inthe19thcenturylargemeatybreakfastswerecommonandluncheonwasalightsortofpicnicwithnoservantspresent.Dinnerwasnotserveduntil8pm,soitisperfectlyunderstandablethattheduchessgotalittlehungryinthelateafternoon.
Traditionally,aformalafternoonteaisperformedaccordingtocertainrulesofetiquette.Atintimategatheringstheteaserver(usuallythehostess)pourstheteawhileseatedwithherguests.
Theserverfirstasks"Sugar?”,then“onelumportwo?".Thesugar,ifrequested,isplacedinthecupusingspeciallydesignedsugartongs.
Thensheasks,"Milk,orlemon?"Milkandlemonshouldnotbeusedtogethersincelemoncurdlesthemilk.FreshmilkisthebestchoiceforIndianorAfricanteas,andlemonforCeylonorChinateas.
Themilkispouredbeforethetea.(ButseeTeaTriviabelow!!)
Forthelemon-takers,aplategarnishedwiththinlyslicedlemonsisofferedwithasmallfork.MostBritishthinkthattheadditionoflemonispretentious/affected!
Afterhandingthecuptotheguest,hotwaterisofferedforthosewholiketheirteaweaker.
Onceeveryoneisservedtea,theguestsselecttraditionalteafarefromthetableoratieredcakestand.Thegoodiescanincludecrumpetsslatheredwithbutter,teabreadswithfreshanddriedfruits,daintywell-trimmedteasandwiches,tallstandcakes,flakyscones,tartjams,lemoncurds,smallcookies,etc.Eachguesttakesanapkin,asmallplate,andabutterknifeforspreadingjam,creamorsweetbutter.
Ittakessomepracticetobalanceafullcup,saucer,platepiledhighwithcakesandsandwiches,knifeandnapkin,butdroppingcrumbsandspillingteaareinitiationritesandpartoftheenjoymentoftheceremony.
ForHotelrestaurantorTeaRoomservice,waitstaffservecustomersatindividualtables.
