Apart from tennis, what comes to your mind when you think of Wimbledon? If you’re like most, you’re probably thinking of British staples like Pimms, lemonade, strawberries, and cream.
While strawberries and cream can undoubtedly be refreshing, Pimms and lemonade may not be everyone’s cup of tea—no pun intended.
It’s not everyone’s go-to drink, and if you want to watch Wimbledon at home or work, then ideally, you want a non-alcoholic alternative.
One of the best beverages you can drink in this tournament is simply brewing your own Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea. Heck, even hosting your own watch party with tea, sandwiches, snacks, and more will save you the expenses of buying food and drink at Wimbledon.
But what exactly is Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea? Find out below to know which ones complement this sport.
Afternoon tea explained
If you live in the U.K., you’ve likely experienced afternoon tea before. A poll conducted of UK adults found that 21% of 25-34-year-olds (the most popular bracket) attend an afternoon tea party once a month.
It’s safe to say it’s popular and the hallmark of British culture. To recap, afternoon tea is often served between 3 and 5 p.m. (which is perfect timing for Wimbledon matches). Anything after or during dinner is seen as high tea. As the name suggests, it involves a range of finger foods, scones, sweets, pastries, cakes, and, most importantly, tea.
The tea tends to be light, paired well with the snacks served and low in caffeine. There also tends to be a variety available, such as black tea, green tea, herbal and, if possible, decaf, covering all palette preferences.
Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea – 4 to consider
If you’re looking for the perfect calming herbal tea to watch during Wimbledon games, try the following:
Chamomile tea
Most know Chamomile tea for its calming properties on the centre court. However, one main benefit of it being a Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea is that it can be a digestive aid. This herbal tea has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help you or your friends if you’re experiencing gastrointestinal issues or snacking a lot during the tournament.
Chamomile tea also contains apigenin, which may help induce sleepiness, diminish post-tournament adrenaline, and help you rest for work the next day. Moreover, chamomile has a floral and sweet taste, which makes it an excellent pairing for sweets and cakes.
Watch Wimbledon with: Nutra Relax, a caffeine-free calming herbal tea that includes chamomile and Lavender, helping you stay relaxed while the tournament is on.
Lavender tea
One herbal tea you should drink when watching Wimbledon 2024 is Lavender. While other teas are packed with health benefits, lavender works wonders, supporting your social and mental wellbeing. The smell of this tea helps you to relax and regather for a moment of calm amidst the stress and tension of the tournament. Lavender works well with afternoon tea snacks like cookies, shortbread, and scones.
Watch Wimbledon with: Nutra Head, a herbal tea which supports relaxation, blood circulation and overall wellbeing.
Green tea
Green tea is an easy-to-access tea that’s light and full of health benefits you don’t want to miss from your viewing party. Compared to black tea, green tea is lighter and more delicate, which compliments lighter foods and pastries. A 2022 review also showed that green tea might increase metabolic rate and help burn fat on a short-term basis—which could work well with foods consumed when watching the tournament.
Watch Wimbledon with: Nutra Reflux a herbal blend which has green tea. Low in caffeine Nutra Reflux supports digestion, stomach and intestinal tract function.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is another excellent herbal tea you should consider adding to your Wimbledon party. This refreshing and minty tea can be a great beverage on an afternoon, a refreshing pick me up.
It also has a cooling sensation, which makes it a good digestive beverage, helping ease up gas and bloating. While there’s not much human research on this, animal studies do show it can relax the digestive system, making it an ideal drink for the variety of snacks available for afternoon tea.
Moreover, peppermint tea has a vibrant flavour, which can work well with both sweet and savoury snacks.
Watch Wimbledon with: Nutra Throat, a soothing herbal tea containing peppermint, marshmallow root, and ginger. This blend can provide comfort for your throat if you find yourself cheering a lot for your favourite player.
Wrapping up Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea
Overall, there’s no “best” Wimbledon tennis afternoon tea. Instead, if you plan to have a viewing party this tournament, aim to offer your guests a range of herbal blends.
You can’t go wrong with peppermint, black, green, white, and even chamomile. All have soothing properties and can help your digestive system. Plus, they pair perfectly with finger snacks at an afternoon tea party.
Most importantly, when selecting herbal teas for Wimbledon, pick ones that match your favourite flavours and ones you think will support your physical and mental well-being. After all, even if you’re not playing tennis yourself- you still want to stay healthy right?
Got a lot of salty food at your afternoon tea party? Check out our post on the best hydrating herbal teas to drink this summer.
