who invented the british custom of afternoon tea

The British custom of afternoon tea is generally credited to Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, around 1840.

Quick Scoop

• The Duchess of Bedford began asking for tea, bread and butter, and cake in the late afternoon to cure a “sinking feeling” between lunch and a late 8 pm dinner.

• She soon invited friends to join her for this light meal, and the habit spread through Victorian high society before becoming a wider British custom.

• Earlier “afternoon teas” in English spa towns show that the idea of tea with cakes existed before her, but Anna is the figure most popularly associated with inventing the formal ritual of afternoon tea as it is known today.

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