Darina Allen: Recipes for my favourite afternoon tea treats — including chocolate cake 

'This week I’ve included some of my favourite afternoon tea treats for you to enjoy'

Ballymaloe Chocolate Almond Gateau with Crystallised Violets.

National Tea Day is celebrated on Sunday, April 21.

Sure, you’ll have a cup of tea? A warm and friendly welcome, an icebreaker, a comforting gesture in stressful times, a way to pass the time — for many it’s the first gesture of the day, the last before bedtime.