On a historical note, tea is nearly 5,000 years old and was discovered, as a legend has it, in 2737 b.c. by a Chinese emperor when some tea leaves accidentally blew into a pot of boiling water. In the 1600's tea became popular throughout Europe and the American colonies. Since colonial days, tea has played a role in American culture and customs. Today chrildren are learning about the famous Boston Tea Party protesting the Bristish tea tax- one of the acts leading to the Revolutionary War.

Taking tea is a English tradition. In 1840 Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, had tea sent to her room one afternoon along with a tray of bread and butter, and cake. She formed this habit and found she could not break it. Her friends picked up on the custom and as the country progressed afternoon tea became increasingly popular.Queen Victoria relished the new craze for tea parties. Victorian ladies looked forward to sitting in their velvet seated chairs as the last of the sunlight filtered through lace covered windows. The sterling pot was filled with steaming hot tea, which was served in the finest china, as the day winded down. This avtivity was known as high tea. The special social gatherings for tea would produce these fine ladies in their high-buttoned shoes and stockings. The gatherings  produced the most beautiful table settings which were considered the status of these leisurely ladies and were society rituals. Katerine, the wife of King Charles II began to set the tea trend. It was the suggestion of King Charles II that Katerine introduce the social hour over tea. Many artists began designing tea cups that are considered some of the best all over the world. It was years later that demand for tea sets grew. High tea was the Victorian working man's last meal of the day. An early supper which allowed him to get to bed before dark, it also provided him with the sustenance needed to perform hard labor. A combination of hot dishes, chicken, game, or ham served with salads, breads, cheeses, and an endless assortment of cakes and condiments, this meal consisted of anything available in the pantry. For most, it was the bridge between a light lunch and a simple breakfast. Tea reached the height of popularity during Victoria's rein. It evolved during this time into the central attraction of two meals that were to become standards in Bristish life--one that provided afternoons of pleasurable socializing, and the other that provided evening comfort.