A cream tea is an afternoon tea consisting of tea, scones, clotted cream, jam, and sometimes butter. Cream teas are sold in tea rooms throughout England, especially Devon and Cornwall, and in some other parts of the Commonwealth.

As well as referring to the drink itself, tea has long been used as an umbrella term for several different meals consisting of food accompanied by tea. English writer Isabella Beeton, whose books on home economics were widely read in the 19th century, describes meals of various kinds and provides menus for the "old-fashioned tea", the "at-home tea", the "family tea", and the "high tea".