In collaboration with Portmeirion Group & Spode Blue Italian.
This week (14th to 20th August 2017) is Afternoon Tea Week, the annual celebration of one of the nation’s favourite traditions. Whether enjoyed in a 5-star hotel or as a home baked treat, the British love the combination of savoury and sweet treats served at an afternoon tea, accompanied, of course, by some of the 165 million cups of tea drunk each day in the UK.
I’m delighted to share with you that this year, for the first time ever (I must be officially a grown up now?), I have served my afternoon tea in a gorgeous matching handcrafted tea set. I am now the proud new owner of a Spode Blue Italian tea pot and matching tea cups and saucers as well as side plates, a two tier cake stand, a cream jug and wine glasses: everything needed, in my humble opinion, to show off the perfect Afternoon Tea.
The beautiful blue and white Spode Blue Italian collection was launched in 1816 and has been in production ever since. Now considered an iconic English design, this stunning collection features a finely detailed 18th century Imari Oriental border encompassing a scene inspired by the Italian countryside. Watch the video below to see how the pottery is made in their factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Did you know that 22 pairs of hands make each piece of Spode Blue Italian? Each item is truly a handcrafted work of art, don’t you think?
For Afternoon Tea Week I thought I’d share three simple sandwich recipes; three of our family favourites: egg and cress, smoked Shetland salmon with cream cheese and a cheese and pickle sandwich. The perfect variety (I think) to go with the traditional scones with jam and cream and a selection of other sweet treats, displayed, perfectly, in my new Spode Blue Italian set.
When it comes to scones, are you a ‘cream on top of the jam’ person or a ‘jam always has to go on top of the cream’ person? AfternoonTea.co.uk recently conducted a large survey to find out.
They found that 58% of people prefer to put the jam before the cream on their scones, with 42% preferring cream first.
The rivalry between Cornwall and Devon over cream teas has been going on for decades. The Cornish way is to serve jam on the bottom, with the Devonians placing the cream on first. You’ll see, to settle any potential disagreements at our Afternoon Tea Party, I did it both ways to please everyone.
Oh, and don’t forget the Prosecco!
Portmeirion Group have very kindly sent me a second Spode Blue Italian two-tier cake stand worth £44 for me to gift to one of my UK readers. To enter, simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below!
What do you like to have served with your Afternoon Tea? Are you a jam on top or cream on top person? Let me know in the comments!
A Trio of Sandwiches for Afternoon Tea
Ingredients
for the egg and cress sandwiches
- 2 large free-range eggs hardboiled and cooled
- 2 tbsp Hellman's mayonnaise
- 0.5 tsp pickle juice
- 1 pinch celery seed
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
- butter to spread
for the smoked Shetland salmon with cream cheese and chives sandwiches
- 100 grams cream cheese
- 1 tsp fresh chives snipped
- 0.25 tsp lemon zest
- 100 grams smoked Shetland salmon
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
for the cheese and pickle sandwiches
- 100 grams mature cheddar cheese
- 15 grams small chunk Branston pickle
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices brown bread
- butter to spread
Instructions
- To prepare the egg and cress sandwiches, mash the cooled boiled eggs with a fork until they reach an even consistency. Stir in the mayonnaise, pickle juice and celery seed. Season to taste. Gently fold in the cress.
- Butter your bread slices and divide the egg mixture between the two sandwiches. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwiches into two triangles or three fingers.
- To prepare the smoked salmon sandwiches, spread 1/4 of the cream cheese on each of the four slices of bread. Sprinkle the cream cheese on one side of the sandwich with the snipped chives and lemon zest.
- Arrange half the smoked Shetland salmon on each sandwich and assemble. Cut off the crusts and slice into triangles or fingers.
- For the cheese and pickle sandwiches, finely grate the cheddar cheese and stir in the pickle to bind. Butter each slice of bread, divide the cheese mixture between them and assemble. Cut off the crusts and slice into triangles or fingers.
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OTHER AFTERNOON TEA RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Choux Buns with Coffee Custard Filling
Courgette Almond Polenta Cake (GF)
Blackberry and Apple Cake
Emmer Scones
Afternoon Tea Cake
Tunnock’s Teacake Rocky Road
Mini Lemon Drizzle Pound Cakes
Cape Breton Fruit Scones
Spiced Apple Cake
A Selection of Cupcakes for Afternoon Tea
Lime Cupcakes with Lime Buttercream Frosting
Ooey Gooey Gluten Free Brownies
Strawberry Shortcakes with Balsamic & Black Pepper Syrup
You might also like this Cold Brew Iced Tea from Oh How Civilised.
SHOP THIS POST
Spode Blue Italian 2-tier Cake Stand
Spode Blue Italian Teapot
Spode Blue Italian Teacups & Saucers
Spode Blue Italian 6-inch Plates
Spode Blue Italian Wine Glasses
Spode Blue Italian Cream Jug
3 for 2 All Loose Tea from Twinings Use the code AFTERNOONTEA until 31 August
GIVEAWAY
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by Portmeirion Group. The prize is to win a Spode Blue Italian 2-tier Cake Stand worth £44. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway.
The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries. Any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory! Please make sure your comment is eight words or longer or Google views it as spam and this negatively affects my spam score. All entries with comments fewer than the mandatory 8 words will be disqualified and deleted.
Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Sunday night/Monday morning) on Monday 28 August 2017 (GMT). The winner will be announced afterwards.
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was gifted all of the above Spode Blue Italian products. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Barbara Crook says
For me it has to be smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye bread, and beef with horseradish on brown, followed by scones and chocolate cakes
Tracey Susan Anderson says
Salmon and cucumber sandwiches aswell as fruit scones with jam and clotted cream are a must 🙂 x
Joanne Blunt says
I like egg and cress sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and mini cakes
karen says
I have a very sweet tooth so I love to have scones with cream and jam , a piece of chocolate cake and a piece of Victoria sponge cake!
Rachel B says
i’m not a huge fan of sandwiches but i love cakes. I like the diddy little scones with cream and jam 🙂
Kelly Simpson says
Egg sandwiches followed by a scone with jam and a selection of mini cakes like victoria sponge and chocolate fudge. Mmmm yummy!
Sam Parkes says
Sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream with a pot of English tea
Liza Park says
I like to have Cucumber sandwiches, ( no crust ) mini white chocolate eclairs,scones with jam and cream, mini victoria sponge cake and a pot of coffee asi can’t drink tea x
Eva Trelfa says
My ideal afternoon tea compiles of a good quality english breakfast tea with freshly baked scones,butter, jam and clotted cream. a perfect treat!
ANNE BAXTER says
As long as the sizes are all small – finger bite size, I’ll eat anything.
Anna Brown says
There’s got to be scones with jam and clotted cream with afternoon tea
Caroline Bourne says
A nice mug of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows on top!
Victoria Buchanan says
I’m a savoury fan so I prefer the afternoon teas to be mostly sandwiches, mini savoury pastries etc. Gotta have the top tier of scones though!
Hayley Todd says
For me the perfect afternoon tea would be finger sandwiches filled with grated cheese + caremelised onion chutney on granary bread, scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of delicious cakes, including miniature Victoria Sponges, miniature Devil’s Food Cake, a selection of various cupcakes and some slices of Fruit Cake.
Lea Mavin says
A good mixture of sandwiches followed by scones with jam and cream, then a small selection of minature cakes like battenburg and Victoria sponge to nibble at while finishing off a large pot of tea.
Miss Tracy Hanson says
OOOH yum, with afternoon tea I like salmon, and also egg sandwiches. Then either a scone or a cream cake. Making me hungry now.
Sarah says
Scones with the cream on last. And cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. And pink lemonade! mmmmmm
Jayne Townson says
An egg and cress sandwich followed by a mini chocolate cake and a cup of tea. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
Pamela Gossage says
I always have ham sandwiches cut into triangles and scones with jam and cakes
Irene Hodgson says
Mum egg and cress sandwich, mini scones ,victoria sandwich and a lovely pot of tea
Christine Monk says
Assorted dainty sandwiches, salmon and cucumber, egg and cress, beef and horseradish. To follow; scones, I love scones or maybe a fat rascal!
Emma Hussain says
Some lightly filled sandwiches and little cakes
Sarah Russell says
I love lots of different little cakes and some nice sandwiches and of course a Great brew! x
Emma Topp says
I would be very traditional and go for cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and cream.
Kristy L Brown says
I love a nice selection of finger sandwiches and a juicy fruit scone
Lin Martin says
Love smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and with scones and jam.
Dale Dow says
you can’t have an afternoon tea without some scones! Although other cakes can be tempting too!
Katie says
Ham and cream cheese sandwiches, mini sausage rolls, scones with jam and cream and mini sponge cakes with strawberries and washed down with English breakfast tea
Simone Griffin says
This is very traditional, but I have to have sandwiches and a plain scone with plenty of jam and clotted cream – yummy x
Carol Thomas says
My perfect afternoon tea, would be salmon & goats cheese sandwiches and freshly made scones, butter, jam and clotted cream, finished off with earl grey tea
Katy Malkin says
Houmous salad sandwiches on brown, flapjacks and camomile tea
Rebecca roberts says
I like sandwiches with mine yum great giveaway
Rich Tyler says
Salmon sandwiches, always adds the posh factor!
amy bondoc says
cheese egg and spinach sandwiches, cheesey rolls, victoria sponge, tea ofcourse and cocktail sausages
S Mayat says
Plenty of sweet treats!
Rebecca Alderson says
Afternoon tea has to include ham and cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream!
Sue Johnson says
Earl grey tea and carrot cake with lots of frosting. Yummy
Karen Barrett says
Buttery scones with lashings of clotted cram and strawberry jam.
izzy smith says
I like scones with jam and lots and cream. I also like the finger sandwiches. yummy !
Rachael Marsden says
Def cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches but also a lot of sweet treats as I have a really sweet tooth
tracy baines says
tuna mayo sandwiches, mini sausage rolls and a nice cream cake would be great
sofie says
The obligatory cucumber sandwich and good scones
ADEINNE TONNER says
With my afternoon tea of course i need a pot of tea, ham sandwiches and some yummy cakes too
Sarah Fielding says
Definitely cheese and onion sandwiches!
Laura Nice says
You can’t beat Scones with jam and a glass of fizz but its just tea for me while I’m pregnant!
jules eley says
I do love scones and cucumber sandwiches an a nice strawberry tart.
Milly Youngman says
Scones with cream and jam, and a glass of champagne!
Katy c Johnston says
I adore scones with my afternoon tea/ I’ll some times have a jaffa cake or a cookie though
Charlene Aldred says
It’s not afternoon tea without home made scones with jam and cream 🙂
Nikki Easton says
It has to be scones and jam with a glass of prosecco
Alison Johnson says
Nice sandwiches (either egg or cheese for me) a nice slice of victoria sandwich cake, scones with jam & cream & a hot chocolate.
Emma Penko says
Finger sandwiches, chocolate brownies and cream and jam scones. Yummy!
Rose Stephenson says
I love plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Yum.
Kyomi Johnson says
Tuna mayonnaise sandwiches with cucumber would be the perfect afternoon tea
Rosie Miller says
I haven’t got much of a sweet tooth so its all about the sandwiches for me! I love cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I’ll enjoy that with an Earl Grey tea or prosecco if I can!
Sarah Hurrell says
Scones with clotted cream and jam as my partner loves the,, and for me it would have to be egg and cress finger sandwiches
david crabb says
I would love a rainy (yes im crazy) afternoon, gazing out at the drizzled streets with my earl grey and a nice pieces of cake.
Corinne Wright says
The perfect Afternoon Tea has to have plenty of tea gorgeous sandwiches and cakes as well as a scone.
Jodie A Green says
cheese and cucumber sandwiches are a must for me!!
Tracey Belcher says
I adore bite size home-made cakes – little mini Victoria sponge cakes and battenburg
SallyH says
A selection of delicious but tiny things, so that you can try most of them plus some excellent gossip,
Donna says
I love waffles with banana and hot chocolate sauce 🙂
Angela Wilcox says
Has to be fresh scones with butter and homemade jam
Danielle Spencer says
Buttered crumpets to start followed by some Victoria sponge cake,
Jo Carroll says
I’d be lying if I said I usually rustle up a quick sandwich or a Kit-Kat for afternoon tea but with a set like this it would just make you try that little bit harder…it’s gorgeous. I especially like the glasses with the same pattern running round them. x
Maxine G says
It has to be cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches (with the crusts removed of course!)
Clare Hubbard says
I love cheese and pickle sandwiches and scones for afternoon tea
Dean T says
Crumpets or scones with jam and clotted cream
leanne weir says
A fresh cream scone smothered with strawberry jam
Jo Pritchard says
It has got to be traditional. I love other peoples egg and cress sandwiches as I hate making them myself because the eggs are so stinky. For scones, most definitely cream over jam and plenty of both. I love Spode Blue Italian range but sadly my pieces have diminished due to my husband’s breakage record.
Thanks for all the yummy recipes.
Jo
Emma says
I LOVE afternoon tea! Scones with cream and jam, cakes and sandwiches… just amazing!
Rebecca Lawrence says
Is it even a Afternoon Tea without the four staples. A pot of Tea (with tea leaves), a ham and mustard sandwich, a scone (with cream and jam) and a macaroon? I think not they are must haves!
Choclette says
Ooh posh! That spode set is gorgeous and I do like an elegant afternoon tea. It’s probably no surprise to you, but as I’m from Cornwall it has to be jam first every time 😉
Talya says
Smoked salmon sandwiches get me every time! For me, if I only had those for an afternoon tea then I would be over the moon.
Cath - BattleMum says
I love your tea set and I’m definitely a jam first girl.
Kristie Metcalfe says
I like something a bit different, I especially like the crazy fun ones that you can find in London. Dineasor or Alice in Wonderland themes are my fave! (Plus prosecco served with the tea too!)
Kavey Favelle says
Love Spode Blue Italian, lovely to hear a little more about its making. Your family favourite sandwiches would go down well with us too! I do love an afternoon tea, especially served in gorgeous crockery!
Helen Tovell says
We do small versions of the classics e.g scones, victoria sandwiches, among others
Gill Watson says
Cucumber and marmite sandwiches for me and scones with the cream first!
Debbie W says
Probably sandwiches, although if I didn’t have to be a grown-up I’d bypass them and just have home made scones with lots of jam and clotted cream!
Tina Hewitt says
Afternoon tea has got to include scones and various small fancies
Emily Hutchinson says
You’ve got to have a scone, and lots of sandwiches, there’s never enough sandwiches and too many cakes for my liking!
Jen Schofield says
Definitely scones!
Dawn Barrett says
Lovely photos and some delicious-sounding recipes. The Spode china sets off the afternoon tea goodies beautifully!
I’m a cream on first person, which I believe is the Devon way?
Claire W says
My grandma used to serve Yorkshire high tea. I credit her for my love of old fashioned tea!
Claire W says
Afternoon tea week is a thing? As if I needed an excuse!
susan hoggett says
I always batch bake so I always have homemade goodies in the freezer, mini pies, sausage rolls, quiche and scones are my favourites for an afternoon tea.
Jorgelina says
Hmmm…I love macarons and the little cakes and mini tarts with jam.
Solange says
I love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and jam.
pete c says
cheese and celery sandwiches, and then fruit scones with fresh cream
Rebecca F says
Cucumber sandwiches, mini Victoria sponges and lots of tea
Sarah Morris says
Love myself some scones with jam & fresh cream, as well as cheese & tomato, and ham & cucumber sandwiches, oh and go on then, chuck some mini quiches in as well.. yum yum.
Lorraine Tinsley says
Tuna and cucumber sandwiches, chocolate eclairs, Victoria sponge and some clotted cream scones
Kat B says
There has to be cucumber sandwiches and prosecco and scones with lashings of clotted cream and jam.
Fiona says
I think a glass of prosecco is always the best accompaniment!
MELANIE CRUMPTON says
Champagne, smoked salmon sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam.
laura banks says
i like lots of cakes with mine especially scones and clotted cream
adele knight says
I love the Scones with jam and cream, and the little sarnies with the crusts cut off!
Fozia Akhtar says
scone with a little jam
Audra bland says
Brown bread finger sandwiches with ham egg mayo and tuna and mini scones with ham clotted cream and Victoria sponge cake I LOVE afternoon tea!
Chloe brill says
Love scones with clotted creamn on top and jam
frances hopkins says
Afternoon tea wouldn’t be the same without Cream cakes and egg sandwiches
melanie stirling says
Victoria sponge cake and scones with jam and clotted cream.
Sandra Lane says
Earl grey tea and delicious scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam make the perfect afternoon tea.
Caroline H says
I’m a big fan of a well made cucumber sandwich. Also a good cheese with a sweet chutney or salad. Then it’s all about the cake. I love mini, individual versions of traditionally bigger cakes – carrot, coffee and walnut, Victoria sandwich. All accompanied by a glass of fizz.
christine shelley says
real china cups, a pot of tea, scones, cream and jam
Paul says
This would be the perfect centre piece to an afternoon tea! Lovely 🙂
Giuliana Britti says
I love every bit of an Afternoon Tea but especially the petit fours
Jean Cassell says
Fruit scones with jam and cream. An absolute classic.
Ben Audsley says
i love afternoon cream tea – lots and lots of clotted cream and good strawberry jam for me, oh and coffee not tea!
Jane Webb says
I love those little cakes – just enough to pop in your mouth in one go!
Sharon Freemantle says
I love plain scones with jam & clotted cream. I don’t mind I’d there’s no sandwiches or jam as long as I get my scones and cream.
Julie Henderson says
i love a really proper buttery scone with a little jam
Rebecca Brown says
Im a big fan of lavender scones with clotted cream and a really good jam – either strawberry or raspberry. I also love cheese, so maybe some Stilton and grape sandwiches too?
EMMA FURLONG says
I love afternoon tea, I prefer cakes to sandwiches though.
Justina says
Afternoon tea is perfect with a miniature Victoria Sponge cakes. Lemon muffins with fresh cream are rather lovely too.
Gillian Holmes says
I really love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jam
Chris Hunt says
I love fresh, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, tiny, little sandwiches with delicious fillings, and a glass of proseco.
Nadia Stanbridge says
A variety of fine sandwiches including smoked salmon, egg mayo and ham salad. Macarons and meringues are a must plus strawberry tart and mink éclairs. The finest tea and china (of course) plus a glass of Fizz. Oh …. and scones with cream and jam
Nadia Stanbridge says
That is mini eclairs …. not mink!
Nadia Stanbridge says
Also forgot to mention fruit cake ….
abigail edkins says
jumbo scones with squirty cream and loadsa strawberry jam, and a pot of english breakfast tea
Bev B says
Scones are a must, but I also love small meringues with cream and individual strawberry tarts.
Barbara Knight says
Scones are a must, along with tiny sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
Sanoobar Patel says
I love little sandwiches with fresh fillings, made for the tea. I love warm scones with fresh clotted cream and jam and chocolate based desserts. A hot chocolate with the tea would not go amiss as well!
Suzanne Jackson says
Tuna and cucumber sanswiches and scones with clotted cream and jam 🙂
irene hodgson says
I love afternoon tea ,with tuna sandwiches and a selection of cakes..presentation is the key to sucess
Emily Knight says
Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, finger sandwiches (which HAVE to include smoked salmon and cream cheese!), a couple of cakes and some savouries, like mini savoury tarts – I always think afternoon teas tend to have too much sweet and not enough savoury!
SARAH BIRKETT says
a perfect cup of tea, and nothing too heavy or sweet – and the right company of course
ValB says
I love a selection of fancy little sandwiches, tiny cakes and scones with jam and clotted cream
Ellen Sheppard says
I love finger sandwiches – cucumber of course and mini meringues and fruit tart. I prefer prosecco rather than tea too 🙂
CAROLYN HEYWORTH says
Love egg and cress sandwiches/smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and some lovely scones with cream of course !
Michelle Hall says
A selecion of sandwiches, scones and jam. cakes and biscuits. Not forgetting the prosseco!
Lisa Parker says
I love to have scones with jam and cream plus a selection of sandwiches.
stuart hargreaves says
LETS HAVE A DEVON CREAM TEA WITH SCONCE’S AND CREAM
Kitty says
I like to use seedless raspberry jam with my scones
Kitty says
I like to make sure I use seedless raspberry jam with my scones.
Debbie Gilbert says
I like smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and tiny scones and clotted cream and jam
Angela Smith says
I like egg mayo, ham, cucumber and salmon sandwiches with scones with cream and jam, Victoria sponge and lashings of hot strong tea
Kelly Glen says
With afternoon tea there always has to be a selection of sandwiches, some lovely cake and scones.
maureen findley says
i love cheese and dips
Tracy Nixon says
I love an afternoon cuppa with a nice warmed Devonshire sconlop of topped with a doloclotted cream and strawberry jam!
Angela Fitzjohn says
Tuna and cucumber sandwiches cut into little triangles, served alongside delicious patisserie cakes, with scones with jam and clotted cream, preferably with a nice glass of champagne.
silvia prizzi says
I like scones with cream, tiramisu’ and biscuits like digestive or shortbread 🙂
Suzanne says
Cucumber and tomato sandwiches go very well with green tea.
Zoe C says
I love Egg and Cress sandwiches and Eccles Cakes
Camilla Hawkins says
Afternoon tea would be sandwiches like these, particularly the egg and smoked salmon & cucumber, followed by either cake or scones, jam and clotted cream.