Drinking tea originated in China and tea ceremonies have been carried out since ancient times, with a vast choice of different blends and tea houses on every corner. But surprisingly, many Chinese people are swapping these rituals for something altogether more British – the afternoon tea.
East meets West
Shanghai, the country’s financial hub and largest city, has many high-end hotels offering a classic afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches and rolls, scones and cakes. Like much of Western culture, including films and music, the Chinese have adopted the custom of afternoon tea and it has proved popular.
This relatively recent phenomenon is sometimes also referred to as ‘high tea’, which in the UK is more of a substantial meal that was eaten by the lower classes to keep them going between lunch and dinner. While afternoon tea was only eaten by the upper and middle classes in the UK, today it is enjoyed by all sorts of people, but in Shanghai, it is still mainly taken by wealthier, upper-class people.
It is usually provided in luxury hotels such as the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons, where customers dress up smartly to enjoy a tiered stand of delicious treats. A favourite spot for the fashionable crowd is the Peninsula Shanghai, where a string quartet plays while guests enjoy tea.
Keeping up appearances
Like here in the UK, the trend for creating afternoon tea events at home is bound to catch on too, as Chinese hosts aim to do something special and typically British for their friends. They will no doubt get inspiration from many of the afternoon tea box delivery options available here from specialist providers such as afternoonteabox.com.
Often, those who go for afternoon tea in Shanghai are merely doing so in order to be seen, even if they don’t enjoy the food on offer. It’s not just groups of ladies who dine either. Often businessmen in suits meet over afternoon tea, although it is particularly popular among women in their 30s who like to upload glamorous images on their social feeds.
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