One can hardly mention crumpets without thinking of English tea. In fact, the phrase “tea and crumpets” is about as commonplace in the food world as “coffee and doughnuts” or “soup and a sandwich.”

Crumpets can be enjoyed for breakfast as well as afternoon tea. Afternoon tea can be a very simple affair or, at the other end of the scale, it can be a significant social ritual governed by strict rules of etiquette and protocol. In addition to small sweets, an ornate afternoon tea menu