Yesterday I addressed the WA Division of the Home Economics Institute of Australia during their World Home Economics Day Afternoon Tea, on the subject of the Origin and Etiquette of Afternoon Tea. I thoroughly enjoyed researching the subject, which has been a favourite of mine for many years. Afternoon tea, or High Tea as it is regularly marketed, is making a huge resurgence in Australia and many of the hotels and restaurants offer it as a glamorous and gracious respite particularly on a Sunday afternoon. The function I attended was held in a private dining room at The George in Perth. The George The Royal Room at The George (photo the author) I discussed the emergence of the tea trade in Britain from the 1660’s; the development of porcelain manufacture in England; the revolution against the tea tax which resulted in the Boston Tea Party in America; the rise of more democratic tea houses; the emergence of Afternoon Tea as a gracious ladies functi...