It is sometimes called “a scholar’s paradise” – the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton recently welcomed its latest group of 200 top-of-their field scholars from around the world. The cherished tradition involves coffee, tea and even cookies.

Thirty-five Nobel Laureates and 42 of the 60 Fields Medalists have worked or studied at the Institute since it was founded in 1930. No degrees are offered, but scholars are free to pursue knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Acceptance to the Institute is considered to be the pinnacle of academic and scientific life in the world.

But despite all of the academics, one of the Institute’s most cherished and longstanding traditions is the 3 p.m. tea time. It is a chance for the members to mix and mingle and to bounce ideas off one another.

Albert Einstein, one of the best-known scholars at the Institute for Advanced Study, first hatched his landmark idea of quantum entanglement during the afternoon teatime.

While it is often mistakenly identified as part of Princeton University, the Institute for Advanced Study is not affiliated with the school and is entirely independent.