Afternoon Tea – Probably the most relaxing pastime

Something I learned to love during my visits in London is definitely the Afternoon Tea. For me, there`s nothing more relaxing than spending hours with a friend or my mother and being able to talk to each other without any stress. Finally, in Switzerland, afternoon tea is also becoming more and more popular. Meanwhile, some hotels and cafés already offer it. If it was my decision, it should be on the menu much more often ;-).

For all those who are not familiar with this tradition, here`s a short explanation.

Origin of the Afternoon Tea tradition

The custom of afternoon tea was invented in England in the 1840s by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. At that time it was customary to eat only two meals. Breakfast and dinner. However, the Duchess always became hungry in the late afternoon around 4 pm. She did not want to eat a full meal at that time, as dinner was always served at 8 pm.

She began to order small snacks with her tea. The concept of afternoon tea grew as she began to invite more and more of her friends over. It became a social gathering for women from the wealthy classes. This afternoon arrangement eventually developed into what we know today as afternoon tea.

What is served at an Afternoon Tea?

Traditionally, Afternoon Tea is served on a 3-level etagère.

1. At the bottom you`ll find various small finger sandwiches. These are soft toast sandwiches (without crust), which are topped with an egg cream, salmon, ham or cucumber, for example.

2. Scones are in the middle, which are eaten with clotted cream and jam (usually strawberry jam).

3. At the top you`ll find different sweet treats. Most of them include a small piece of cake, some cream in a small glass and all kinds of pâtisserie.

Procedure of an Afternoon Tea

An Afternoon Tea is taken in exactly the order described above. Whether only one tea or several are served depends on the café or hotel. I already experienced that there was only one kind of tea. But it was also the case that there were several (up to three) kinds of tea, matching to each “course”. I find the second one much more interesting. But depending on the amount of tea selection it may take some time to choose.

Difference between Low Tea and High Tea

There are two different types of Tea Time:

Low Tea (classical Afternoon Tea)

The traditional Afternoon Tea is also called Low Tea. It got this name because it`s taken on low tables. It is served between 2:30 and 5 pm. As mentioned above, finger food is served with the tea.

High Tea

The High Tea is eaten on high tables (dining table). It`s taken between 5 and 7 pm. Usually a High Tea`s the dinner of the working families. It consists of hearty meals and not light snacks like the Low Tea. There are also no scones in high tea.

Champagne Tea (the in official 3rd type of Afternoon Tea)

Then there’s the champagne tea. For me as a champagne fan, of course, the favorite variation. As the name suggests, Champagne Tea comes with champagne. Usually you pay per glass. So you can choose how much champagne you want to drink. Some also offer prosecco (or champagne) à discrétion. Which means, as much as one wants. In London, I also had some champagne à discrétion. Actually something really great. But to do this before a trip with the subway and the return flight was not the best idea. 😉 One glass is actually enough, especially as you drink plenty of tea.

Please don’t get me wrong, I really love afternoon tea (and champagne teas). But it`s something special for me, which I do not have all the time. Otherwise I would probably not find it so special anymore.

Here you can enjoy very good afternoon tea in extraordinary surroundings:

(Alphabetical order)

Atrium Blume in Baden, AG, Switzerland

The Hotel Atrium Blume in the beautiful city of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland is an absolute tip in itself already! Here you dine in a very unusual environment.

At this point I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. I took them during my visit 2 days before the lockdown (lucky, I’d say :-)).

The “menu” that is served here changes constantly. Therefore it`s even better to experience a delicious afternoon tea here again and again.

During my visit the following was served:

• Cheddar-leek tart
• Crostini with smoked trout mousse & horseradish
• Quiche with feta and vegetables
• Spicy ham strudel
• Sandwiches: egg & cress, pastrami with mustard cream. smoked salmon trout
• Scones
• Scones with dried fruits
• Sweets: Profiterolles with mocha cream, Short Bread, Cheesecake with raspberries, Lemon Cupcake with rose water, Lady Victoria Cake with cherries

No original Clotted Cream was served with the scones. Rather something, like whipped cream, a bit heavier. But this is rarely the case in Switzerland, as it isn`t one of the food that is known here.

This is what our afternoon tea looked like:

Every 1st Sunday of the month (except in the summer months, when it`s too hot in the atrium) an afternoon tea is served here from 2 pm to 5 pm. It costs 36 Sfr./person, with a glass of prosecco 42 Sfr./person.

Attention, quickly and long in advance fully booked!

The dates are always booked out very long in advance. So it`s worth booking early. Sometimes additional dates are  inserted due to the high demand, but even these are quickly no longer bookable.

It’s best to check the availability online from time to time under this link.

Reservations can be made by phone on +41 56 200 0 200 and by e-mail at info@blume-baden.ch.

Are you looking for something special for your Bachelorette Party, Baby Shower, Birthday or just to spend time with a few friends or family in a cozy atmosphere?

Then this is definitely the right place! For groups of 10 people or more you can enjoy an afternoon tea on a date of your choice (also possible in summer if you don’t mind a bit of heat). The costs are 36 Sfr./pers. (excl. Prosecco)

The Hotel Atrium Blume is located in the beautiful old town of Baden at Kurplatz 4.

Brigit`s Bakery (London)

A friend of mine worked in London for a long time. One day she happened to see one of those red retro London buses passing by and was amazed that all the passengers were eating and drinking tea during the ride. The next time she saw one of these buses again, she asked what these buses were all about. These are buses from Brigit`s Bakery they told her. One can go on a city tour and enjoy an afternoon tea during these 90 minutes. Immediately I came to her mind and she booked an appointment. When I visited her, this was her (very successful) surprise for me.

I will always remember this really special experience. It was absolutely great! There are also Gin Afternoon Tea Rides and various theme rides. The normal tours cost 45 British pounds /pers., the Gin Tour 62.50 British pounds /pers. The duration of the ride is always 90 min.

Under this link you`ll find all additional information.

Unfortunately the café of the bakery had to close permanently due to the Corona situation. But the bus tours still take place.

Miyuko, Zürich, Switzerland

The Afternoon Tea that I definitely visited the most is the one of the Miyuko Café in Zurich. I`ve been here for Afternoon Tea 8 times already.

Miyuko was founded by the extremely creative cake designer Sara Hochuli and her partner Dominik Grenzler in 2011 and will probably always remain THE café for an expectional afternoon tea in Zurich!

The interior is a colorful mix with a Japanese touch. Also Sara’s gorgeous cakes always contain a bit of Manga (and lots of color).

Here the Afternoon Tea is very modern. One time there was a couscous salad, I think I also remember a carrot salad. Every time something different is served.

The afternoon tea costs 54.50 Sfr./pers., including 3 different teas. On weekdays it is offered from 2 pm, on weekends from 1 pm.

You can also book a Princess Coffee Gossip, which costs 29 Sfr./Pers. This includes an Etagère with sweet snacks, 1 glass of Prosecco and a coffee or a cup of tea.

Here you also have to make a reservation! It`s a very small café, but this is what I really appreciate in this, for me magical, place.

Here you can book online.

Update from December 2020:

Finally I was able to take some more photos. The cafe is just beautiful! See for yourself:

The Afternoon Tea in December 2020

This time, a sandwich with tofu and a pear jelly was served on the bottom tier. Next to it was a red cabbage salad with tomatoes. The scones were served with a quince jam, which was perfect for the season. On top, three sweet treats were waiting for us. On the one hand, there was a piece of chocolate. In addition, a chocolate, nutty taffy with salted caramel and a vegan chocolate mousse, which knew how to surprise with a mango cream at the bottom of the glass.

Once again, everything was very tasty and the service was courteous and sweet as always. See you next time! I`m already looking forward :-)!

Mr. Fogg`s House of Botanicals (London)

The Tipsy Afternoon Tea at Mr. Fogg’s in London wasn’t the best afternoon tea I’ve had so far. But the idea is even funnier and I really liked the place. The scones etc. were good, I’m just not a huge fan of the classic toast sandwiches. For me they`re a bit too boring.

What a Tipsy Afternoon Tea is

Cocktails are served in the teapots (instead of tea) here. Why not. 😉 But since my friend had to go back to work right after and I didn’t feel so much like alcohol that day, we asked if it would be possible to have tea served instead. They looked at us a bit strangely, but it was possible. We were then charged even less. As we had to wait a few minutes for our reserved table, we even got a glass of champagne on the house. Great service!

Under this link you`ll find the prices and cocktail selection. You can also book here.

Mr. Fogg’s has six different cafés.

The House of Botanical is located in central London at 48 Newman Street, Fitrovia. From Oxford Circus it`s a 10 minute walk. Goodge Street is the nearest metro station.

PS. Sorry about the cell phone pictures. I didn’t have my camera with me in London, nor did I have it with me on all my visits to Zurich. But next time I`ll take it to Miyuko ;-). At least you still have some photos to look at.

The list will grow in any case ;-).