Afternoon Tea: A British Classic

With the royal wedding fast approaching, we've got English traditions on the mind. Perhaps the most quintessential tradition is afternoon tea. The British custom of thwarting late afternoon fatigue with a steaming cup of black tea, delicate sandwiches, tea cakes and biscuits dates back to Victorian times. According to lore, the Duchess of Bedford popularized the meal in Queen Victoria's court. A simple, infallible mood-lifter, it's easy to see why afternoon tea persists as a habit today in England and abroad in Australia and New Zealand. Try this convention at home with recipes for dainty cookies that perfectly accompany your tea of choice.