 Cucumber sandwiches and tea | |
| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Course | Tea |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Atea sandwich (also referred to asfinger sandwich)[1] is a small preparedsandwich typically sliced into pieces that can be picked up with one hand. It was originally developed in the 19th century as an offering atafternoon teatime meant to stave off hunger until the mainmeal but has evolved into a term for any dainty crustless sandwich served at a variety of events.
The drinking of tea in England became popular in the 1600s whenCharles II andCatherine de Braganza made it fashionable.[2] Because tea was expensive, only the wealthy could afford it, so drinking and serving tea was also an indicator of wealth.[2] By the Victorian era, it had become affordable for all and was a popular beverage in all social strata.[2]
Afternoon tea as a meal became popular in Britain around 1840, a time when the upper classes normally dined at 9pm or later.Anna Maria Stanhope, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, habitually requested a light snack of tea with bread and butter, cake, or biscuits in mid to late afternoon to tide her over until dinner was served. After she started inviting friends to join her in afternoon tea, the meal became popular.[2] The new meal became popular throughout the country.[2]
Tea sandwiches became popular in the US whentea parties were a common afternoon entertainment for the well-off.[3] Recipes for tea sandwiches appeared inMrs. Hill's New Cook Book (1867).[3]
The tea sandwich may take a number of different forms, but they typically are sized to be easy to handle with one hand and capable of being eaten in two or three bites. Shapes may be long and narrow, triangular, round, or a decorative shape created with acookie cutter.
Thebread is traditionally a soft white bread, thinly sliced, andbuttered.[4] The bread crust is cut away cleanly from the sandwich after the sandwich has been prepared but before serving.[5] Modern bread variations might includewheat,pumpernickel,sour dough orrye bread. The bread used for preparing finger sandwiches is sometimes referred to assandwich bread.[1]
Fillings are light, and are "dainty" or "delicate" in proportion to the amount of bread. Spreads might include butter,cream cheese ormayonnaise mixtures, and the sandwiches often feature freshvegetables such asradishes,olives,cucumber,asparagus, orwatercress. Thecucumber tea sandwich in particular is considered the quintessential tea sandwich.[3] TheVicksburg tomato sandwich and the cucumber sandwich made withBenedictine are classic tea sandwiches in parts of theAmerican South.[6][7]
Other popular tea sandwich fillings include tomatoes,pimento cheese,ham with mustard,smoked salmon withcream cheese, fruitjam,curried chicken, fish paste, andegg salad.
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