Tea Sandwiches. Sized to be a light snack and to be eaten in 2-3 bites. Tea sandwiches are sometimes referred to as finger sandwiches. The ideal bread to use for all of these selections is thinly sliced white bread, although you can substitute for wholemeal or gluten-free bread. Tea sandwiches allow for a lot of creativity, but if you want traditional English tea sandwiches, these recipes will set you on the right path. A tea sandwich is traditionally a small, pre-made sandwich that is eaten at an afternoon tea. For a fantastic afternoon tea sandwiches choose a mixture of sweet and savory sandwiches from the recipes below, or mix and match flavors to create your own afternoon tea sandwiches creations.. From classic English cucumber tea sandwiches to traditional smoked salmon finger sandwiches and savory-sweet ham finger sandwiches, these are must-try English tea sandwich recipes for afternoon tea. The original purpose of a tea sandwich is to satisfy any hunger prior to the main evening meal. They’re the first course of an afternoon tea. Also called finger sandwiches, they should be easy to handle. Tea sandwiches are bite-sized sandwiches made to be eaten in the afternoon at tea time. Usually crustless to give it a dainty and delicate look.