“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea,” said American writer Henry James. While Americans usually think of the British taking time for a spot of tea, our country’s early settlers arrived with a fondness for the beverage and also enjoyed the respite it provided. Most of us have given up this lovely afternoon tradition.

Now, residents and visitors can indulge again at Abigail and Rose’s Tea, a recent addition to the activities of the Colonial Quarter in St. Augustine. Dressed in colonial attire, Rose and Abigail explain afternoon tea through a living history lesson, a delicious one at that. This tea time does not require you to dress up, nor dine on fancy, high tea cucumber sandwiches and decadent desserts. Rather, Abigail and Rose serve more modest fare with scones, real clotted cream, jam and chocolates in a friendly environment.  The specially blended  tea comes from the St. Augustine Spice and Tea Exchange and is brewed as in colonial days, right in your cup.