Food Facts

Scone Debate: Cream or Jam First?

Explaining the Great Scone Debate.

When it comes to eating scones, one thing is certain – break the scones horizontally in half with you hands. One thing is completely not certain – whether one spreads cream or jam first. Here is an explanation on the great scone debate:

 

Cream First

The Devonshire method, as it originates in Devon, has one spread clotted cream on each half first and then the jam over. As the cream is more like butter with a thicker, denser consistency, this makes sense in that if the jam is spread first, the thick cream would smear and mess up the jam layer.

 

Jam First

The Cornish method, originating in Cornwall and also common in London, has one spread jam first and then adds a spoonful of clotted cream dolloped on top. The jam protects the cream from melting on the warm scone and also if the jam is on top, it would smother the taste of the cream.

It is interesting to note that the Queen prefers this method.

 

Personal Opinion

From enjoying scones and afternoon tea, and if you are not partial to one region or another, then the answer to this debate rests on the consistency of the cream. If it’s dense like a cold slab of butter, then cream first as it’s easier to spread on the scone and cleanly slather jam on top. However, if the cream is more like whipped cream, then jam first so that’s the easier component to spread with the airy cream more easily placed on top. Essentially, the denser spread goes on the bottom.

 
 


Sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar for blog updates and my travel insider tips! And, check out my vlogs on YouTube!

Angela

Share
Published by
Angela
Tags Food Facts

Recent Posts

Pita History: Origins of the World’s Oldest Bread

A Brief Bread History. Pita is one of the world’s most popular breads with a…

14 hours ago

Garlic Bread History – From Ancient Rome to the Americas

From Olive Oil & Garlic to Garlic Butter. Garlic Bread is a favorite in any…

3 days ago

Champorado History: Origins of the Chocolate Rice Pudding

All About the Filipino Champorado. Champorado is the famous Filipino breakfast dish that’s a favorite…

1 week ago

Tavern-Style Pizza History

All About the Bar Pizza. Beer in one hand, pizza in the other. The perfect…

1 week ago

Tapas History: A Timeline of All the Theories

Originally posted October 20, 2022 Reposted May 3, 2022 Tapas Time(line) and More Theories. Tapas…

2 weeks ago

Sundae History

From the Ice Cream Float to the Sundae. Before the sundae was created, ice cream…

2 weeks ago