Afternoon tea originated around the early nineteenth century in England. Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford would complain of hunger in the afternoon, since it wasn't unusual in that time to have only breakfast and a late dinner, around 8 o'clock in the evening. To help bridge the gap between meals, she began to enjoy a pot of tea and a snack during the afternoon. Later, she invited friends and hosted tea parties, which quickly caught on in popularity and became a respectable practice to all of the fashionable high class members of society. The term "high tea" comes from middle and lower classes participating in a similar event at a dinner table (or "high" table) later in the afternoon as an early dinner replacement with homestyle foods. "Low" tea, or more traditional afternoon tea, was referred to as such for being enjoyed around luxurious settings with lower tables and lounge couches. High tea was later adapted by the upper class and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably now.

The tradition of afternoon tea is still popular in Britain and even abroad, but is now generally reserved for special occasions and tourist attractions in hotels. Modern suburban home afternoon tea will often consist of simple biscuits, a small cake, and a mug of tea.