什么是下午茶？

　　High tea, a term often confused with afternoon tea, usually takes the place of supper. During the Industrial Revolution, working class families would return home tired and exhausted. The table would be set with dinner foods like meat, bread, butter, potatoes, cheese and of course tea. It was termed "high tea" because it was eaten at a high dining table rather than a low tea table.

　　人们常常会把“茶点”和“下午茶”搞混，其实茶点通常相当于晚餐。在工业革命时期，工人阶级的家庭成员回到家时都筋疲力尽。晚餐桌上的食物通常是肉、面包、黄油、土豆、奶酪，当然也少不了茶。它之所以被称为"high tea"，是因为这顿饭是在一张高餐桌而不是矮茶桌上吃的。

　　Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" as it is served at a low table. Since this wasn't a meal, but rather like a late afternoon snack meant to stave off hunger, finger foods were the common fare. Tiny, dainty sandwiches, scones and pastries were served with afternoon tea. Finger foods afforded one the opportunity to take a petite bite and easily maintain a conversation. This is most important, as one is not merely taking tea to gain nourishment or satisfy hunger, but to take time to relax, converse and enjoy the company of dear friends. In England, the traditional time for tea was four o'clock or five o'clock in the afternoon and no one stayed after seven o'clock.

　　下午茶(因为它通常是在傍晚时享用)，又称"low tea"，这样叫是因为它是放在一张矮桌上享用的。由于这不是一顿饭，而更像是一顿傍晚时分为避免饥饿而食用的小吃，因此摆放的食物通常都是可以用手拿着吃的。美味的小块三明治、烤饼和酥皮糕点通常都是享用下午茶时的小吃。这些便于手拿的食物可以让人们一边小口品尝一边还能轻松地进行交谈——这是最为重要的一点——因为人们不只是为了补充营养或充饥而喝茶，而是要借此机会放松自己，聊聊天和享受好友陪伴的乐趣。在英国，传统的喝茶时间是在下午四五点钟，而且下午茶都会在七点以前结束。