Back when tea was first discovered, it was primarily used as an herbal remedy. But as the time passed and the usage of tea spread to other continents, tea became more than just a remedial concoction; it evolved into a cultural asset.

And while tea is a historic and massive part of some Asian countries’ cultures, today, it is largely associated with British culture as well.

In fact, the British invented the concept of afternoon tea in the early nineteenth century. The tradition mostly started because the evening meal was increasingly delayed (due to industrialization), and people would get hungry. And so, they started pairing tea with an assortment of delicious snacks during the afternoon to satiate their hunger.

If you adore the tradition as much as we do, you can try some of these snack suggestions!

Different Kinds of Sandwiches

Sandwiches are one of the most popular teatime snacks, and they have enjoyed this popularity for centuries now. The wonderful thing about sandwiches is the room for variations. You can go with all kinds of filling, from sweet to savory, and even make vegan sandwiches!

Here are some delicious and traditional tea sandwiches you can try:

• Ham and mustard or ham and brie
• Egg and cress
• Coronation chicken
• Smoked salmon
• Cucumber
• Crab salad

Pro Tip: Chop up the fillings into smaller pieces and cut the sandwiches into smaller finger-food sizes for easy handling.

Tea Cakes and Cookies

Some other popular snacks that work well with most teas are cakes and cookies. Almost all English tea parties have some assorted cakes on the menu, including fruit cakes and lemon drizzle cake. These sweet cakes pair very nicely with Scottish breakfast tea and even black tea.

Also, cookies are always a great option. While we highly recommend whipping up some homemade shortbread cookies, you can also have a cup of tea with regular chocolate chip ones—it’ll still taste lovely!

Some Classic Scones 

If you’re looking for snacks to pair with tea for a tea party, you can’t go without some classic scones. Scones served with clotted cream and jam are the single-most superior snack to be served with tea—they’re incomparable!

Also, they’re absolutely delicious with Earl grey tea, so we highly suggest trying out the combination. You can order some from us at Red Bud Tea Company. We also have a wide range of herbal fruit teas online and authentic Indian masala chai tea.

Give us a call if you have any questions about the range.