Afternoon Tea Etiquette

by Whittard of Chelsea

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Published . Reviewed

Do's and Don'ts of Afternoon Tea

Creating the Perfect Balance

Nothing's more embarrassing than a faux pas over scones and sandwiches - so we asked our Product Specialist a few pressing questions on the dos and don'ts of afternoon tea.

How Should One Stir One's Tea?

Strictly it shouldn't be 'stirred' in a circular motion: instead move the spoon from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock, as though you're folding the tea over. (This officially makes the British seem as stiff as a board). Do this 2-3 times, then place the teaspoon on the right-hand side of your cup, on the saucer.

Let's Start With The Big One

Which Goes On The Scone First: Jam or Cream?

In Devon they put cream first; in Cornwall they put jam first. There's lots of inter-county rivalry over this. Personally I like my scones Devon style, because I believe a scone is merely a vessel for clotted cream and we should pile as much on as possible.


On a Related Note, Milk First or Second?

Originally, milk was always put in first. Bone china was expensive and often had flaws in the glaze: you wouldn’t want to crack your precious cup with hot tea, so you put milk in first to protect it. Wealthy tea-drinkers had high-quality of china, of course, so they could put the milk in afterwards (or not at all). So in time this all became a mark of social status.

Frankly, I think it’s completely up to you. It also depends on how you brew it: brewing tea directly in the mug requires that you put the milk in afterwards, though if you brew it in a pot it can then be poured over the milk.


How Should the Tea Stand Be Ordered?

Top Tier - Scones (when cake stands were invented in the 1700s, a warming dome could only be rested on the top tier).
Middle Tier - Sandwiches
Bottom Tier - Sweets and pastries


And What Order Should They Be Eaten In?

Sandwiches first. Scones second. Sweet treats last.


Time for Tea?

Afternoon tea traditionally takes place between 4-6pm (although not technically 'correct', we think it's quite the substantial lunch alternative).

Afternoon Tea Delights and Tea Equipment

A top-down view of an open, rectangular metal container filled with Chelsea Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea, set against a white background.
A rectangular box of Chelsea Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea on a grey background, featuring silver tea leaf illustrations and text identifying it as black tea.
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A rectangular box of English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea, partially opened to reveal the tea leaves inside, pictured from above on a white background.
Rectangular box of English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea with a grey cover featuring silver botanical illustrations and text detailing product information.
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An English Breakfast Teacup and Saucer in fine bone china, decorated with birds and leaves, resting on its gift box with a patterned sleeve.
An English Breakfast Teacup and Saucer made of fine bone china, decorated with a pattern of green leaves and small birds.

English Breakfast Teacup and Saucer

4.5
€22,50
A floral teacup and saucer with a pink and green rose pattern sit atop a striped box labeled TEA DISCOVERIES ENGLISH ROSE by Whittard. The set is presented against a plain white background.
A porcelain teacup with a matching saucer, both decorated with red roses and green leaves. The set has gold accents along the rim and handle, set against a plain white background.

English Rose Teacup and Saucer

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A stack of seven round, golden sugar cookies is arranged on a white, seamless background.
A yellow cylindrical tin with bird and leaf illustrations, labeled Classic All Butter Shortbread from Whittard of Chelsea.
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Tea Discoveries Classic All Butter Shortbread Biscuit Tin

€12,95
A stack of eight round Earl Grey All Butter Biscuits, UK made with small dark specks, arranged neatly on a plain white background.
A cylindrical tin featuring an ornate blue and white design and labeled “Earl Grey All Butter Biscuits” contains biscuits made in the UK, delicately infused with tea flavor for a delicious taste, photographed against a plain white background.
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A rectangular white box of Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea, featuring loose black tea leaves with visible blue and yellow flower petals and notes of bergamot, viewed from above against a white background.
Rectangular grey tin of Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea featuring a silver botanical illustration of bergamot and a dark label with product details.
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An Earl Grey Teacup and Saucer in fine bone china with a blue and white floral pattern resting on an Earl Grey tea box.
Earl Grey teacup and saucer in fine bone china, decorated with an intricate blue and black floral pattern.

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A tall cylindrical tin of Whittard Salted Caramel Biscuits with a blue and gold art deco pattern and a brown label on the front.

Salted Caramel Biscuits

4.6
€9,95
A white teapot and teacup set with blue Alice in Wonderland illustrations, stacked on a matching box labeled Mad Hatters Tea Party in blue script.
A white teapot and teacup set with blue illustrations of rabbits. The teacup sits on a matching saucer, and both feature simple, delicate designs on a plain white background.
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A Chelsea Glass Teapot with Infuser, featuring a clear borosilicate glass body and a metal infuser and lid, is displayed on a white box labeled "The Chelsea Teapot" from Whittard against a plain white background.
The Chelsea Glass Teapot with Infuser showcases a transparent borosilicate glass design, enhanced by a metal lid and an elegantly curved spout. Displayed on a plain white background, this teapot is completed with a round handle for comfortable pouring.
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A clear glass infuser mug with a metal strainer and a light green lid, placed on top of a white Whittard Pao packaging box.
Pistachio Glass Pao Infuser Mug made of clear borosilicate glass with a stainless steel tea infuser basket and a light green lid.

Pistachio Glass Pao Infuser Mug

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White teapot with blue Alice in Wonderland illustrations, including the Mad Hatter, on top of a matching box with similar artwork, set against a plain white background.
White ceramic teapot with blue illustrations and a matching lid, next to a separate white tea infuser with a base, all set against a plain white background.
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A metal tea infuser ball attached to a chain with a small decorative ceramic teapot charm at the end, set against a white background.
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A clear glass teapot with a metal infuser and lid sits on a white Whittard box labeled The Pimlico Teapot. The box features the Whittard logo and brief product details.
Clear glass teapot with a round body, metal infuser, and metal lid with a round handle, shown on a white background.
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