English afternoon tea is a beloved British tradition rooted in royal history and social ritual. Discover how afternoon tea began, the types of tea served, classic foods like cucumber sandwiches and sponge cake, and why this elegant custom endures today.

The Japanese tea ceremony, known as Chanoyu or “The Way of Tea,” is a deeply meditative ritual rooted in Zen Buddhism. Centered on ceremonial-grade matcha, it emphasizes mindfulness, simplicity, harmony, and respect through every movement, utensil, and shared moment.