High tea is an English meal that gained popularity in the 1600s, especially among laborers. It was often substantial, contrasted with other types of tea where a few cakes might be served. High tea was often called meat tea because hearty dishes were served, perhaps meat sandwiches, or hot cooked food like meat pies, and Welsh rarebit. Cold meats, bread, cheese, crackers and a variety of desserts like cakes could make up part of the menu.

For the laboring class, high tea was usually a part of the evening meal, taken after sunset. In this case, cooked meats, stews and the like might be part of the meal. Unlike the tea traditionally served at 4-5pm, high tea for farming and laboring families was usually more closely related to dinner or supper and tended to be served between 5-6 pm. A substantial meal was needed at this time, particularly since farming and laboring families might need to resume work afterwards.

High tea for laborers and farmers was a daily traditional meal, not something consumed only occasionally. The definition for high tea has recently undergone some changes, especially for non-UK countries. Now high tea often refers to a more traditional tea with lighter meal and dessert offerings. This is often how the term "high tea" it is used outside of England.

The modern high tea is more closely related to afternoon tea. Light sandwiches, like watercress or fish paste may be offered. Even bread and butter sandwiches are quite popular. Scones and clotted cream are common in today’s high tea, and cakes, pastries, petit fours, or a number of other dessert items, even cookies, can make up a high tea. When scones and clotted cream are served, high tea might also be called cream tea.

Even in England, where having afternoon tea was traditional, an elaborate cream tea is usually for special events only. Sometimes afternoon tea is a weekend meal, or one might go to a high tea or afternoon tea at a restaurant, teashop, or hotel. When restaurants outside of the UK feature high tea, they are usually referring to afternoon or cream tea, and will feature many fancy cakes or pastries in addition to finger sandwiches.

In the UK, it still may be common to have a quick snack and a cup of tea at 4pm as a little restorative. Especially with children arriving home from school at about this time, an afternoon snack is usually fairly desirable. High tea, as it is now used, would not be regularly served and might only occur on weekends, at parties, or on special occasions.

The recent switch to the use of high tea in the US, which occurred in the 1950s, comes primarily from the word “high” being used as a synonym for “elegant” or “formal.” Given the history of high tea as a laboring class meal, it’s somewhat ironic that the restaurants and hotels that boast of their high tea servings are often exclusive and expensive. In the UK, if you’re looking for this type of tea serving, you may want to look instead for cream tea or afternoon tea, which are still more commonly used to suggest a fancy tea.