Afternoon tea is the custom of enjoying tea, cakes and other treats in the early afternoon. A part of British culture, various afternoon tea menus are also available at hotels in Japan. Who could resist trying one out?
One day at 2 p.m., I visited the lounge on the 45th floor of the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo in the capital's Nishi-Shinjuku district with Riko Fujieda, a British tea specialist.
A three-tiered silver stand was brought to us, and sandwiches, tarts, cakes and other delicacies were served on Arita ware plates. While I was admiring the beautifully served treats, tea was poured into my cup. Customers can order as many drinks as they want from about 30 kinds, including tea and herbal tea. The afternoon tea set costs 4,300 yen per person, including tax and service charge.
"Afternoon tea originates from tea parties held by British ladies," Fujieda said.
According to Fujieda, the custom became popular among the British aristocracy during the Victorian era in the 19th century. In those days, aristocrats ate two meals a day, with their evening meal beginning at around 8 p.m. Since they ate supper so late, ladies would invite friends to their homes in the early afternoon and offer them tea and sweets. Subsequently, the custom spread among ordinary people, according to Fujieda.
Afternoon tea has its own etiquette. Sandwiches and sweets should be eaten with the left hand to prevent the tea cup, held with the right hand, from getting dirty. Scones should be split by hand and spread with jam topped off by rich clotted cream.
On a three-tiered stand, serve sandwiches on the bottom, fresh sweets in the middle, and baked sweets on the top tier, and eat from the bottom up.
However, with many consumers currently seeking "Instagramability," hotels are placing more focus on appearance, and many afternoon tea sets are not conforming to the rules. But, Fujieda said, "remember that you should eat salty delicacies before sweets."
Today, many hotels offer afternoon tea sets with seasonal menus. "Afternoon tea incorporating Japanese tastes would be suitable for grown women," Fujieda said.
In the lounge by the lobby of the Palace Hotel Tokyo in the capital's Marunouchi district, the afternoon tea set is served in a three-tiered lacquered box. It contains bite-size inarizushi tofu pouches stuffed with rice, cakes made of wasanbon traditional Japanese sugar, Japanese confectionery and other delicacies.
Customers can choose from a variety of drinks such as tea, matcha green tea and roasted green tea in unlimited quantities. It costs 4,200 yen per person, excluding tax and service charge. Staff in kimono welcome customers, adding to the extraordinarily elegant experience.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in Bunkyo Ward offers afternoon tea through April, where customers can enjoy the occasion while looking at cherry blossoms, just like a sakura viewing party. The afternoon tea set costs 3,800 yen per person, including tax and excluding a service charge.
"You can enjoy the pairing of tea and food," Fujieda said, "and spend an elegant time with your friends or family."
Afternoon tea at home
Tea time can be casually enjoyed at home on your own.
To add a luxurious touch, Fujieda recommends a tableware "snack set" consisting of a cup and large saucer that also serves as a plate for sweets and other treats. Just by serving biscuits and scones along with tea, you can easily achieve the afternoon tea experience.
"If you stop to relax and enjoy the aroma of tea even for 10 minutes, you will feel naturally refreshed," Fujieda said.
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