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Afternoon Tea Week
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
~ Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, 1881
From a wide selection of tartans inspired by the origins and flavours of the world’s favourite brewed beverage, this richly coloured design pays tribute to Assam tea.
Grown in the India’s northeastern Assam region, this tea is celebrated for its bold character, deep amber liquor, and distinctive malty aroma! The climate of the Brahmaputra River valley, with its humid summers and monsoon rains, produces leaves that yield a strong, full-bodied cup—perfect for breakfast blends and robust afternoon teas. Long prized by tea connoisseurs, Assam’s hearty flavour stands up well to milk and sugar, making it a staple in traditional British tea culture. This tartan captures that same richness in its warm, earthy palette, echoing both the fertile soil and the deep tones of a freshly poured cup.
The charming ritual of afternoon tea—whether enjoyed simply or accompanied by an array of sweet and savoury delights—has experienced a revival since its beginnings in the 1840s. Its creation is credited to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who found the long gap between lunch and the evening meal left her prone to “hunger spells.” Seeking a remedy, she began requesting tea and light refreshments in the afternoon. Once she invited friends to join her, the custom quickly blossomed into a fashionable social occasion among the aristocracy.
By the 1920s, afternoon tea had reached the height of its popularity, often staged as an elaborate affair with numerous guests, liveried servants, silver teapots, crisp linens, elegant china, live music, and, of course, the finest tea that money could buy. Traditionally served between three and five o’clock, it became a cherished pause in the day for both conversation and indulgence.
So although liveried servants and live music may be lacking, pausing for an afternoon cup of tea and a biscuit will serve admirably, whether it's tea for two or tea just for you. ❤️ 💜 💙 🤍 🤎 🫖 🍵
For Afternoon Tea Week, we have a special tea tartan, "Afternoon Tea/Assam."
One of several designs for Sazaby League ICL Company's Afternoon Tea brand, this design evokes the colour of Assam tea, named after the region of its production, Assam, India. Assam tea is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica. Grown at or near sea level, it is known for its body, briskness, malty flavour, and strong, bright colour.
Robert Bruce, a Scottish adventurer, is sometimes credited with its "discovery" when he allegedly encountered it growing wild in the year 1823 while trading in the region. He was directed to the local Singpho chief Bessa Gam and noticed the local tribesmen brewing tea from the leaves of the same bush. He arranged with the tribal chiefs to provide him with samples of leaves and seeds, which he planned to have scientifically examined.
Robert Bruce died shortly thereafter, without having seen the plant properly classified. But in the early 1830s, Robert’s brother, Charles, arranged for a few leaves from the Assam tea bush to be sent to the botanical gardens in Calcutta for proper examination. There, the plant was finally identified as a variety of tea, or Camellia sinensis, but different from the Chinese version (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis).
Assam tea is the tea most commonly used for iced tea, which was allegedly popularized at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri by an Englishman, where it was so hot, that the hot tea wasn't telling. It became an instant success.
For more fascinating facts about afternoon teas, cream teas, high and low teas, and the latest gentlemen's teas click the cup of tea.