In the words of the novelist Henry James: ‘There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.' But what makes the tradition so distinctly British? It all started when the 7th Duchess of Bedford called for tea in her boudoir one afternoon in the 1840s – feeling a little peckish, she asked that the tea might be accompanied by a light snack. Devotees of afternoon tea ceremony have never looked back, and it wasn't long before we were feasting on scones, cakes and cucumber sandwiches. Do you have a favourite afternoon tea food-pairing? Do tell… Our signature Afternoon Tea is an elegant blend of Chinese black tea, oolong and jasmine-scented green tea, with flavours of bergamot and a flamboyant flourish of pink and white petals. The rich black tea blends beautifully with the refreshing floral taste of the green, while the hint of bergamot creates the lightest suggestion of an Earl Grey. It's an ideal tea for Earls and Duchesses alike.

• TEA TYPE Flavoured Black Tea
• ORIGIN China
• TASTE PROFILE Refreshing, Rich
• TASTES LIKE Rich, refreshing and superbly aromatic
• FOOD PAIRING Classic afternoon tea – scones, rich cakes