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Is there a legitimate method to eat a scone at High tea? Why yes, most certainly there is. Find behaviour rules and tips, including well-ordered directions on the best way to eat a scone, the right way.
A scone is a small flour-based shortcake-like baked good. They’re usually plain, crumbly, pillow-like, dense, and lightly sweetened. The traditional English scones served with our High teas are round, not triangular, and they’re served with jam and clotted cream.
If you’re indulging at one of our High Teas, on the table ought to be small serving condiments loaded with clotted cream, jams and strawberries.
These little pots are for the table, so no plunging your knife into them. Rather, utilize the spoons provided (normally sitting appropriately by the little bowls) to scoop out little dollops onto your plate.
Place the spoons back as they don’t have a place on your plate. Make an effort not to cross-contaminate and utilize an alternate spoon for every condiment.
Don’t hesitate to go in for a second serving of jam and cream on the off chance that you’ve completed what’s on your plate, utilize an alternate spoon for every topping.
You’ve now got your jam and cream on your plate. Time to eat the scone.
The best technique is to break and separated the scone into two pieces utilising your hands. I like to break it down the middle vertically and then break that into half so you’re eating a fourth of the scone at once.
Ok, now you can utilise your knife to slather on the jam and cream to your little bite-sized parts of the scone. (Don’t pre-break the scones just yet, take off pieces as you go and spread the jam and cream on each piece.)
The Basics of Eating a Scone Properly
- Scoop out clotted cream and jams onto your plate, enough for one scone.
- Break apart a small bite-sized portion of scone with your hands or if using a knife, cut the scone horizontally.
- Use a knife to slather on cream and jam onto the broken-off piece of scone.
- The bite-sized piece of scone should be eaten in 1-2 bites.
The controversial Cornish & Devonshire Cream Tea
Cream tea has been served in the UK since the eleventh century and contentions encompassing the request of spreading the scone’s conventional toppings have ruminated from that point forward.
While those in Devon normally spread the cream on first followed by jam, the Cornish custom is to spread jam initially followed by cream.
For Devonshire cream teas:
- Cream is like the butter, you wouldn’t put butter on jam.
- It originates from when jam was expensive so you’d just have a bit to put on top.
- You can get more cream on if you load it first!
- It stops you getting cream on your nose. 🙂 (jam on cream lays flatter???).
- If you’re sharing a cream tea with a Cornishman (although unlikely!) you get first dibs on the cream.
For Cornish cream teas:
- It’s easier to spread.
- You can taste the cream better on top!
- You wouldn’t put cream on the bottom of a fruit salad.
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It’s all a matter of preference and what you are used to – the choice is yours.. But more importantly, they’re a simple treat that is comforting in its familiarity. ~Aimee
FAQs
I encourage diners to split the scone into two pieces. A well-made scone can be pulled apart with the fingers. Dense scones will need to be sliced with a knife.
What is the etiquette for scone? ›
I encourage diners to split the scone into two pieces. A well-made scone can be pulled apart with the fingers. Dense scones will need to be sliced with a knife.
What are three rules of etiquette for afternoon tea? ›
Proper Etiquette For a Tea Party
- After sitting down, put your purse on your lap or behind you against the chair back.
- Unfold napkin and make sure to place it on your lap. ...
- Never, ever use your napkin as a handkerchief. ...
- Sugar is placed in your teacup first, then thinly sliced lemon.
Cream tea. A cream tea from Devon, comprising tea taken with scones, clotted cream and jam.
What is the difference between Cornish and Devonshire scones? ›
According to research, what's widely known as the “Devon method” is putting your clotted cream on first and covering that up with jam whereas the “Cornish method” involves spreading your scone with strawberry jam and then topping that layer with clotted cream.
What are 3 characteristics of a good scone? ›
In my view, the perfect scone should have puffy height and be light and flaky. The internal crumb should exhibit qualities of a light-colored moist, soft, tender texture. The scone should not be wet or doughy nor should it be hard and/or dry, with a chippy or chibbly texture.
What not to do at high tea? ›
Don't put your napkin on your plate and don't put your napkin on your chair. Remember to stay as quiet as possible while enjoying afternoon tea. This means you should take small sips and small bites of food. You should never chug your tea or swig your tea back.
What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea? ›
Whilst they both include tea as a beverage, afternoon tea includes delicate pastries, little sandwiches, scones and cakes. Whereas high tea is typically a more wholesome meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables served after a long hard day at work.
Why put pinky up when drinking tea? ›
It comes from the fact that cultured people would eat their tea goodies with three fingers and commoners would hold the treats with all five fingers. Thus was born the misguided belief that one should raise their pinky finger to show they were cultured. Tuck that pinky finger in.”
What goes first on scones? ›
So when it comes to cream tea, what goes on your scones first? Cream or jam? Ask the Cornish, and they will tell you that the whole point of cream tea is to have freshly-baked (hopefully still warm) scones, with jam first and clotted cream on top. Ask a Devonian, and they'll tell you it's cream first and jam on top.
Cream Tea refers to scones with clotted cream (also called Devonshire cream) and jam. If you visit the UK, you will find Cream Tea available on a lot of cafe menus, especially near tourist hot spots like castles or cathedrals.
Do you dunk scones in tea? ›
etiquette dictates that scones, biscuits and other treats should never be dunked into your tea. childish behavior. Instead, enjoy bites of your scones between sips of tea.
What are scones called in England? ›
A Biscuit (U.K.) is a Cookie (U.S.) A Biscuit (U.S.) Is a Scone (U.K.) An English Muffin (U.S.) is a Muffin (U.K.) Pudding (U.K.) is Not Pudding (U.S.)
What is cream tea in England? ›
One of the eight times of the day to enjoy tea, cream tea refers to scones with jam and clotted cream, served with tea. Although a cream tea is traditionally enjoyed in the afternoon, it differs from afternoon tea in that it does not include finger sandwiches or pastries.
What is the Devonshire way of eating scones? ›
The Devon Way of serving Cream Tea is to split the scone in half, spread clotted cream on each half, and then add a dollop of jam on top. The Cornish Way, on the other hand, is to split the scone in half, spread jam on each half, and then add a dollop of clotted cream on top.
How are scones traditionally served today? ›
Traditionally scones are served warm with strawberry jam and clotted cream. However as these little buns are neither truly sweet or savoury it makes them wonderfully versatile, and they can be served in numerous different ways.
Are scones eaten warm or cold? ›
Your scone should be served warm. It should be delicate enough that you can separate it in half with a twist of your hand.
What is the queens way of eating scones? ›
Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef who worked for the Royal Family for over 10 years, the Queen prefered jam first. He tweeted: “The Queen always had home-made Balmoral jam first with clotted cream on top at Buckingham Palace garden parties in the royal tea tent and all royal tea parties.”
What is the correct way of eating a scone in Devon? ›
Served the Devon way, scones have the clotted cream spread directly onto each half of the scone, which is then topped with jam. The idea is that clotted cream is more similar to butter – which would usually be spread first on buns and breads – so it makes sense to add the cream first.
