Did you know that all the different tea times in Britain have a specific name? Pretty neat. Afternoon tea and high tea are sometimes used interchangeably but if you really know your British tea habits, you will know they are nowhere near the same. Afternoon Tea is more for the non-working class or those who have plenty of afternoon time while high tea is for the working class. (aka: most of us busy people)
Afternoon Tea
If you’re like me, you’re snacking between lunch and dinner because it feels like such a long gap of no food. This is exactly what afternoon tea was designed for. Afternoon tea emerged in the early 19th century. This tradition is carried out at 4 pm and everyone sits down with their cuppa & nibble on some sandwiches and scones. Back then, they often ate diner very late back because afternoon tea fulfilled their hungry tummy’s. Then they usually serve dinner as late as 8pm. (I’d be starving)
In today’s day, they simply use afternoon tea as a refreshment, not a decadent meal. Not many have the time to sit down and enjoy many scones & cakes at 4pm. They are working and getting along with life. Ever wanted to try out this tradition? Check out some of the famous tea rooms in Britain.
High Tea
As we said above, many are working during afternoon tea so they have to wait til after work to enjoy their cuppa. Since they are enjoying after work, they are usually very hungry so the meal that comes with the tea is little more hearty. Some may even refer to this as supper because it is basically a full meal.
-Alexis
Tea Blog 
So glad you sent this. I do tea parties in people’s homes & it makes me crazy that they refer to Afternoon Tea as High Tea & that the restaurants and anyone else that does Afternoon Teas refers to them as High Tea. I am on a campaign to set EVERYONE straight.
Growing up in England in the 1960s (showing my age!) most people ate a mid-day meal (called dinner) which was the main meal of the day. We had ours at school, my Dad had his at the works canteen. “Tea”, then, was the early evening meal, but it was a lot lighter — perhaps fish fingers, or beans on toast. And a cuppa, of course!