cream tea

Cream Tea

Cream tea, composed of scones, clotted cream and raspberry jam.
Origin
Alternate name(s)	Devonshire tea Cornish cream tea
Place of origin	England
Region or state	South West England
Dish details
Main ingredient(s)	Tea Scones Clotted cream Strawberry jam
Variations	Multiple

A cream tea, Devonshire tea or Cornish cream tea^[1] is tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream (or in some instances whipped cream), and jam.

Cream teas are offered for sale in tea rooms throughout Great Britain (especially the South West of England) and rest of the Commonwealth, or wherever someone wants to give an impression of British influence.

In the United States it is promoted as a typically British afternoon snack.

History

The name "Devonshire tea"^[2] comes from the county of Devon in England, where it is a local speciality. The exact origin of "cream tea" is disputed, although there is evidence to suggest that the tradition of eating bread with cream and jam already existed at Tavistock Abbey in Devon in the 11th century^[3].

Variations

An example of the scones served with a cream tea. This is the Devon method, with jam over cream.

There are regional variations within England as to how a cream tea should preferably be eaten. The Devonshire (or Devon) method is to split the scone in two, cover each half with clotted cream, and then add strawberry jam on top. Traditionally it is important that the scones be warm (ideally, freshly baked), clotted cream (not whipped), and that the jam be strawberry (although raspberry jam is sometimes used as an alternative^{[citation needed]}). Butter should never be included, and the tea should be served with milk.^[4][5]

In Cornwall, the cream tea was traditionally served with a "Cornish split", a type of slightly sweet white bread roll, rather than a scone.^[6] It is now rare to find this available commercially, even in Cornwall, although splits are still used by many Cornish families in their own homes. The warm roll (or scone) should first be buttered, then spread with strawberry jam, and finally topped with a spoonful of Cornish clotted cream.^[5] Scones are rarely buttered in commercially available teas.

Another variation to a cream tea is called "Thunder and Lightning" which consists of a round of bread, topped with clotted cream and golden syrup, honey or treacle.^[1]

Cream tea at The Orchard, Grantchester

References

See also

• Afternoon tea
• Tea party
• Tea sandwich