Although we call this type of gathering literally "afternoon tea", on my youtube video I was confused whether I should call it "afternoon tea" or "high tea", and I'm still not sure about the title.

The menu is more like the British high tea minus the timing and the purpose. However, the purpose is more like "afternoon tea". The literal difference between the two is the high tea is served on a dining table and it is more like dinner, hence "high"; and the afternoon tea, also known as "low tea", is served on a low table with a wide selection of tea types with few food options like scones with jam and clotted cream and couple of sandwiches.

anyway...

Around 2 PM or so, gathering at a friend's home to have tea with a large menu containing a lot of pastries, salads and desserts is a common tradition for Turkish women. They put on their nicest clothes, place their clean high heels into a bag since Turks do not enter the house with outside shoes on, therefore the women almost always have separate clean shoes for home gatherings and for the outside. One by one they ring the bell of the host's house.

It is a great opportunity to relax, have a nice time with your friends accompanied by almost-limitless delicious food and a thousand cups of tea. They share their latest news about their family, their sorrows and worries, new knitting and crochet patterns with lots and lots of laughter. Some even dance and turn this into a proper party, some read their favourite books out-loud but respectfully. Regardless, it is always fun.

Depending on your guests' formality and number, the menu's content varies from less to more.

I prefer to plan the menu days before and start the preparations days ahead. Some recipes can easily be done a week before and stored in the freezer to keep them fresh or others like in this video can only be done a day before and stored in the fridge overnight to prevent unnecessary chaos that day. this way is easier, less tiring and calmer.

My menu was:

• stuffed vine leaves and dried peppers and eggplants
• bulgur salad called "kısır", it is a sort of tabbouleh
• zucchini, carrot and mushroom salad with yoghurt
• roasted beet and mushroom salad with arugula
• cheesy galettes
• layered buns
• su böreği
• apple rolls 
• cheesecake with sour cherry sauce
• red fruits kompot
• turkish tea, obviously

what are your afternoon tea traditions in your neck of the woods?