If we say that Spain is one of the countries that receives the most tourists every year, we are not saying anything new. It is something that greatly benefits the country’s economy, but it also enriches us culturally. We get to know other cultures and a different way of life. Afterwards, we incorporate into our routines the ones that are most attractive. At Hotel Don Pancho we are used to hosting people from all over the world in our facilities. That’s why we want to tell you about a very attractive tradition: the afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea
As the name already says, it is tea in the afternoon. It is true that that Spain is more a coffee country, but this drink is gaining more and more followers. And whether you like it or not, if you know its origins, you’re sure to feel like having a cup.
What is the origin of afternoon tea?
The afternoon was introduced in England around 1840. By that time, households began to switch from candlelight to gas lighting. Of course, this advance only reached the wealthiest homes, what we might call the upper class. One of the novelties it brought was a later dinner time.
Although it may seem strange now, at that time there were only two meals, breakfast and dinner. Having lighting meant that the latter was later and later. In the end it was set at around 9 pm.
Of course, going so many hours without food was rather unpleasant and the more elite classes did not want to go hungry. So one of the most powerful aristocrats of the day, the Duchess of Bedford, had a brilliant idea. Why not having a tea in the afternoon. This way, she instituted afternoon tea.
The idea was to have a snack in the middle of the afternoon so as not to faint. The time was between 4 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Of course, the Duchess did not want to be alone at this time, so she began to invite her friends to join her. Naturally, the custom gradually began to spread not only in the area, but throughout the country. Even the British colonies also adopted this new time to have a drink.
Was it just tea at afternoon tea?
Although at first the duchess only asked for a cup of tea, she soon realised that it was not enough to satisfy her hunger until the evening. It makes sense, after all, it is little more than drinking a glass of water.
So he asked the service to bring him some food along with the tea. Bread and butter, small sandwiches or pastries. This custom was also extended along with the afternoon tea in the way we have mentioned in the previous section.
Tea time was not a passing fad like so many others, but has survived to the present day. However, what was once an elitist thing is now available to most people. This does not mean that all British people take a break from their daily lives at this time, but it does continue to be done.
What we can say, however, is that some people keep tea time between 2 and 5 pm. As a lunch, afternoon snack or even dinner. In addition, it has become popular in some cafes and also in hotels. In the following section, we tell you how is the afternoon tea at the Hotel Don Pancho.
What is afternoon tea like at the Hotel Don Pancho?
It is possible that when you go to a hotel you eat earlier than the rest of the year, just thinking about what they have prepared in the buffet will make you look forward to it.
That’s why you may also get hungry in the middle of the afternoon. At Hotel Don Pancho we have our own Afternoon Tea, every day from 3 to 6 pm. Throughout the year in the Lobby Bar and in the Pool Bar as well, except from June 1st to September 15th.
You can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with something sweet or savoury. It will be a moment of relaxation, before continuing with your holiday and other activities.
Now that you know what afternoon tea is, don’t forget to enjoy it with us.
