Cream Tea: the Devon Way or Cornish Way? - North Coast Cafe (2024)

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Cream Tea: the Devon Way or Cornish Way? - North Coast Cafe? ›

The Devon Way of serving Cream Tea is to split the scone in half, spread clotted cream

The difference between cream tea in Devonshire and Cornwall comes down to how its served. Both versions serve the same items: tea, scones, jam, and clotted cream. In Devon, the scones are split in two and topped with cream followed by jam. In Cornwall, the split scones are topped with jam and then cream.

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.

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.

The cream tea consists of freshly brewed tea, scones, clotted cream, and jam which is usually strawberry or raspberry. There is much discussion on whether the scones should be spread with jam or cream first … normally Devon tradition dictates cream first but in Cornwall you'll usually see the jam go on first!

The Basics of Eating a Scone Properly

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.

It comes from Switzerland and Italy and is a thick, rich, sweet and velvety, ivory-colored cheese produced from cow's milk that has the texture of clotted or sour cream. Its delicate and mild flavor is great with fresh fruit and is probably best known for its use in Tiramisu.

In Cornwall, you will find countless sandy beaches by popular seaside resorts and some of the best surfing spots in the country, however, in Devon there are arguably more fascinating beaches backed by fossil-rich cliffs and breathtakingly beautiful moorland.

What topping goes first: jam or cream? The two English counties famous for cream teas are Cornwall and Devon, and they differ on order. Cornish cream tea will do jam then cream, Devonians do it the other way around.

perfect preparation. You'll need to split your scone in half (by breaking, not cutting), then spread your jam before dolloping some clotted cream on top. Oh, and never use whipped cream; it's utterly improper.

What do you wear to cream tea? ›

Explaining "Most English drink tea with a little milk, but never with cream or the high-fat milk that Americans put in their coffee. Low-fat milk is a much better choice.

It's fine to break the scone halves further into smaller pieces too and just add cream/jam to each part as you go. Some people like to add butter too to their scone, underneath their jam and cream. That's fine as well.

It is said to have originated in Tavistock Abbey in Devon in the 11th Century where the monks used to make clotted cream and feed the labourers with bread, jam and cream.

A visit to Cornwall wouldn't be complete without indulging in a delicious cream tea, traditionally a pot or cup of tea, with homemade scones, clotted cream and jam. The cream tea is a staple of the Cornish diet, and a holiday to the region isn't complete without trying the sweet treat!

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.

A traditional cream tea usually consists of a pot of tea, and fresh scones served with clotted cream and a fruit jam. It's typically served in the afternoon around 3pm or 4pm, but really you can enjoy it anytime.