What’s your favourite time of day to drink tea? One of our favourite times is the afternoon, as it can be paired well with great teatime treats.
Drinking tea in the afternoon can also help support digestion, keep you hydrated, and serve as a calming drink throughout the day.
With national afternoon tea week 2024 just a couple of weeks away, we wanted to take some time to recommend some of the best teas and treats to celebrate with.
Keep reading below for our top recommendations, which are practical, affordable, and can be easily drunk or eaten from the comfort of your home.
What is afternoon tea week?
You’re likely no stranger to the concept of afternoon tea, and National Afternoon Tea Week is just an extension of this favourite British activity. Taking place from August 12th to 18th, 2024, many people across the nation will be honouring this quintessential tradition.
You can easily take part in this celebrationwith your friends and family. You don’t need to go overboard either; it can be cost effective and take place in the comfort of your home.
What are the best healthy treats to have with our flagship teas?
To enjoy National Afternoon Tea Week to the fullest, we’ve compiled a list of delicious teatime treats to pair with 5 flagship blends of ours. Make sure to try the following:
Chamomile & Valerian
Chamomile and Valerian is a soothing and relaxing caffeine-free tea. It can help your digestive system, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function, making it a great light drink to add to your afternoon tea celebration.
Pair Chamomile & Valerian with:
- Almonds: These can be great tea time treats; they’re high in magnesium, aiding relaxation.
- Honey cake or lemon drizzle: The citrus and honey tastes complement the floral notes of this tea
- Cheese: Mild cheese like goat cheese or brie can be a creamy treat that contrasts the mild flavour of Chamomile & Valerian
Elderberry & Echinacea
If you’re looking to add a flavourful and refreshing sweet summer tea to your afternoon tea celebration, Elderberry & Echinacea is a great choice. This caffeine-free herbal tea is also a good digestive aid, high in antioxidants, and supports urinary tract health.
Pair Elderberry & Echinacea with:
- Dark chocolate: The richness of dark chocolate can counteract the sweetness of this tea being a snack that provides a tasty contrast to the palette.
- Whole grain crackers: Crunchy crackers can add a different texture after drinking this tea.
- Orange cake: A simple cake with an orange zest can balance out the earthy notes from this tea.
Ginseng & Ginger
Ginseng & Ginger is a healthy and refreshing tea worth having at your party. It’s earthy, warm, and has an invigorating flavour slightly different to others you’ll find at an afternoon tea celebration. Ginseng and ginger are linked to a range of other health benefits, too, such as helping maintain stamina, keeping you energised, optimising your physical and mental well-being, and a lot more.
Pair Ginseng & Ginger with:
- Salmon: This tea’s earthy flavour is best balanced with light snacks such as salmon and crackers.
- Ginger cookies: These tea time treats enhance the spicy flavour of this tea.
- Grilled chicken bites: Warm chicken enhances the warmness of this tea.
Raspberry Leaf & Peppermint
Another fruity and soothing tea you cannot miss off your afternoon tea list is Raspberry Leaf & Peppermint. Though it helps support pre- and post-pregnancy, this tea is also great for digestion and relaxation—a must for an afternoon tea celebration! It’s a nice, light, earthy and cooling tea that compliments many treats.
Pair Raspberry Leaf & Peppermint with:
- Chilli snacks: Spicy chilli-infused snacks such as nuts, crisps, or chocolate can add a nice spark of contrast to the cooling and soothing side of the tea
- Apple pie or tart: The crunchiness and sweetness of apple pie or tart can greatly contrast this earthy blend,
- Walnuts: They provide a satisfyingly earthy crunch that balances the flavour of the tea.
Lemongrass & Ginger
Lemongrass & Ginger is a citrusy, caffeine-free tea that supports relaxation, digestion, and the immune system. This tea combines two distinct flavour profiles, one zesty and the other spicy, making it a great, well-rounded beverage.
Pair Lemongrass & Ginger with:
- Cashews: These nuts are crunch and provide a lighter taste, balancing out this blend’s zesty and spicy notes
- Rice cakes: A light tea party snack with cream cheese, peanut butter or avocado that won’t overpower the flavour of Lemongrass & Ginger.
- Spring rolls: A crispy, light and refreshing snack that can be dipped in a light sauce that won’t overpower the blend.
The bottom line on National Afternoon Tea Week
Overall, there are many different types of teatime treats out there. We’ve just covered a small bunch of them today, only five of our flagship teas. When looking for the right tea party snacks to have for afternoon tea week, think about the flavours of your teas first and the preferences of your guests.
If these teas don’t cater to your guest’s tastes, why don’t you see the rest of our Flagship range?
