英式下午茶的前世今生

何航

The warm weather outside may look perfect for outdoor exercise. But for those who are not that sporty, what could be nicer than having a relaxing afternoon tea with a few good friends and taking a break from studying?
温暖的天气最适合进行户外活动了。但对那些非运动型的人来说，还有什么能比在学习之余、约上三五好友一起畅享轻松下午茶来得更惬意呢？
But are you familiar with the culture of afternoon tea ― its origins, what’s included, and the proper etiquette? We sum up a few things you need to know about this traditional English custom so that you can enjoy it more.
但你了解下午茶文化吗？包括它的起源、内容以及礼仪？为了让你更尽兴地享受这一英式传统，我们为你盘点了一些喝下午茶的必备知识。
Where it all began
起源
While the tradition of drinking tea dates back to more than 3,000 BC in China, it was not until the mid 17th century that the concept of “afternoon tea” first appeared in the UK.
在中国，饮茶的传统可以追溯到公元前3000年，而直到十七世纪中叶，英国才首次出现了“下午茶”的概念。
In 1840, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started asking for a tea tray with butter, bread and cakes at 4 pm every day, as she found she was hungry at this time and the evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at 8 pm. She found this new habit difficult to break and soon invited other ladies in society to join her.
1840年，第七世贝德福德公爵夫人安娜•玛利亚•罗素每天都会吩咐仆人在下午4点备好一个盛有黄油、面包以及蛋糕的茶盘，因为她发现自己每天下午4点都会饿，而当时时兴的晚餐时间是晚上8点。很快她发现这个新习惯令人欲罢不能，便邀请另一些女士来加入其中。
This pause for tea quickly became a fashionable social event. During the 1880s, upperclass and society women would change into long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon tea.
这种茶歇很快便成了当时的社会潮流。到了19世纪80年代，上流社会女性则会为了享用一顿下午茶而专门换上长礼服、手套以及帽子。
What an afternoon tea includes
下午茶的内容
Traditional afternoon tea, which is typically served between 4 pm and 6 pm, is technically a small meal, not a drink. It consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches (thinly sliced cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off are a classic), freshly baked scones served with cream and fruit jam, cakes and pastries. Of course, tea or coffee, served with milk and sugar, is also provided.
传统的下午茶一般会于下午四点至六点间供应。确切来说，这是一顿简餐，并非仅仅喝茶而已。餐点包括精致的三明治（去边面包制成的薄片黄瓜三明治则是经典之选）、新鲜出炉的英式松饼配上奶油和果酱，还有蛋糕和其他甜点。当然少不了搭配奶和糖的咖啡或茶。
Nowadays, you can enjoy a traditional yet fancy afternoon tea with pot-brewed tea and delicate snacks in many restaurants and hotels. But in the average home, afternoon tea is likely to be much simpler ― biscuits with a mug of tea, usually produced using a teabag.
如今，你能在很多的餐厅和酒店享受到这样一顿传统而别致的下午茶——一壶沏好的香茗，配上数样精美糕点。但在寻常人家，下午茶往往就简单得多了——用马克杯冲泡一个茶包，再配上几块饼干就可以了。
Etiquette of afternoon tea
下午茶礼仪
As with everything, a particular etiquette is associated with afternoon tea. Here are a few tips for ensuring your tea taking standards are faultless.
事事皆有礼仪，下午茶亦不例外。下面这些小贴士，可以确保你享受一次完美的下午茶。
1. By definition, afternoon tea is a dainty meal. So, when you drink your tea, take small sips rather than “glugging” it down. There’s a definite order to taking tea, but the actual drinking of tea can take place throughout the “meal”.
1.显然，下午茶是精致的一餐。所以，饮茶时要小口啜饮，不能端杯见底。虽然喝茶的顺序有讲究，但实际上，在整个下午茶过程中，你随时可以品尝香茗。
2. Similarly, the food served should be consumed in a restrained fashion as well. Sandwiches are eaten first, followed by the sweet snacks, such as cakes, pastries and scones.
2.同样，品尝下午茶食物也是十分讲究的。先吃三明治、然后是甜点，例如蛋糕，点心以及英式松饼。
3. Scones are always broken, never cut. They should be served with jam and clotted cream, or butter. The jam goes on first, followed by the cream or butter.
3.英式松饼往往是小块的，不再作切分。一般会配上果酱、固体奶油或黄油。先抹果酱，然后再涂奶油或黄油。
4. Crumpets are buttered whole and then cut before eating.
4.吃烤饼时先要整体涂满黄油，食用前再切开。
5. Cakes and pastries should be made so that the use of a pastry fork is not needed, although if that’s not the case, the use of such an implement is perfectly acceptable.
5.蛋糕和点心都是事先准备好的，因此不需要使用糕点叉，但如遇例外，也完全可以使用这些餐具。
6. If you take milk with your tea, pour the tea first and then add milk.
6.若要在茶中添加牛奶时，切记要先倒茶再加牛奶。