Afternoon tea might be a wonderful excuse to gather some friends and show off the teapot you found at a flea market, but so much of its charm lies in its illustrious heritage. The custom dates back as far as 1840, when England's seventh Duchess of Bedford began to request a light meal (and a pot of tea) between lunch and dinner. Soon, the British upper classes were hooked.
These days, gowns and fine china aren't a prerequisite; and since afternoon tea is no longer a fixed part of the day, it has evolved into a more deliberate and thoughtful affair. Take designer Bryan Graybill's afternoon tea ritual: loose leaf tea at 4pm, brewed in a vintage teapot. To him, 'it marks a pause in the day’s work and commitments. It matters because it creates rhythm – ceremony without fuss.'
