Originating in England in the 1800's High Tea is always taken in the late afternoon - usually around 3-4pm. High Tea is an institution and involves much more than just drinking a pot of tea...it is about atmosphere, timing, the finest tea infusions, good company and a selection of delectable sweets and savouries.

Firstly the tea, traditionally this doesn't include infusions or fruit teas...although of course an individual can choose these, it usually involves the most exquisite Indian teas - Earl Grey, Assam, Darjeeling, invariably prepared in a china tea pot, the ubiquitous English brown ceramic teapot is known as a 'Brown Betty' but High Tea usually involved the use of the finest porcelain tea service - think Royal Derby, Staffordshire, Worcester...High Tea should be taken leisurely and is always accompanied by a fine spread, this may include sweet and savoury morsels such as freshly made scones, cakes, fancies and dainties, tarts and pies of all descriptions. Welsh rarebit, Cornish Pasties, Scotch Woodcock as well as crumpets, home made jam and thanks to the Earl of Sandwich, the later addition of tea sandwiches to the menu.

Some other Afternoon Tea venues in Amsterdam are available from:

Amstel Hotel - Professor Tulpplein 1, Amsterdam 1018 GX, NL
Dylan Hotel - Keizersgracht 384, Amsterdam 1016 GB, NL
Pulitzer Hotel - Prinsengracht 315-331, Amsterdam 1016 GZ, NL