By Ling Sing Lin
Tradition
This was devised by Anne, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the 1800s. She was one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting. She complained of having a sinking feeling in the late afternoon.
This was because the practice at the time was to have a huge breakfast, a small lunch and a late dinner.
One afternoon, because of her sinking feeling, she requested her servants to serve tea and little cakes in her boudoir. It was a delightful experience, and so the afternoon tea tradition was born.
Singapore Practice
I believe some people still continue with the afternoon tea tradition at home, having a cup of tea with biscuits or a slice of cake.
Commercially, afternoon tea in Singapore includes sandwiches, scones and clotted cream and jam, and sweet pastries and cakes.
Spoiler of appetite
As a child, I recall buying rojak from an itinerant hawker to have as my tea. My appetite for dinner was completely taken away on such days. So even till today, I do not have the practice of having afternoon tea, as some friends discover.
High Tea
High tea is more substantial, including meat, fish and egg dishes, as well as breads and desserts. In Singapore, we are spoilt for choice, as our high tea spreads in hotels can have a large variety of dishes, not just of pastries, but also Peranakan food and hawker food. High teas in hotels are usually from 3pm to 6pm.
Who can eat dinner after such a spread? I believe many people have high tea in lieu of dinner, or even in lieu of lunch and dinner!
Supper and Dinner
Supper is an evening meal, typically light and informal.
In Singapore, we traditionally refer to our evening meal as dinner, the principal meal of the day.
In some countries, they refer to the midday meal as dinner, and the evening meal as tea or supper.
Locally, where cooked food can be purchased practically at any time, we usually refer to the meal after dinner, when we feel peckish, as supper.
Breakfast
Breakfast, usually touted as the most important meal of the day, often takes a back seat. Unless we are traveling and have a breakfast spread in a hotel, many resort to a slice of toast and coffee when at home or even skip breakfast.
Social / Celebratory Event
As with all things, over time, there are changes and variations. Today, a meal is not just to overcome hunger pangs or for nutritional purposes. It is also a social or celebratory event. Moreover, it is not unusual for these events to be very frequent on our calendars, often with two or three targeted on the same day.
Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.
—-Alan D Wolfelt