29 Jun The Cream Tea Rivalry… And Other Debates
In the wake of National Cream Tea Day, good old scotch pancakes and hot cross buns are being abandoned on the shop shelves, with sales of scones, jam and clotted cream continuing to soar. However, you can’t mention cream tea without bringing up the age-old debates – from toppings, to pronunciation – which continue to divide families and the nation. Stirring up a range of problems, we have made it slightly easier to settle the arguments this year, leaving us with more time to enjoy the delicious treat!
Cream or jam first?
Originating in Tavistock Abbey, Devon, the Devonshire cream tea has always been made with cream on the bottom and jam on top. However, this has long been disputed by the Cornish who believe the only way to serve a cream tea is with the cream on top.
For Devonshire cream teas:
Cream is like the butter, you wouldn’t put butter on jam
You can get more cream on if you load it first
It stops you getting cream on your nose
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
Formedia HQ votes the Devonshire way!
Is it pronounced ‘scone’ or ‘scon’?
According to a YouGov poll, the majority of British people – 51% to be precise – pronounce it to rhyme with ‘gone’, while just 42% came down on the side of rhyming with “bone”.
The poll also found that those living in the north of England and in Scotland commonly use the ‘gone’ pronunciation, while those in the Midlands and London were significantly more likely to go with the ‘bone’ option.
Formedia HQ votes scone!
Milk or tea first?
Another debate that has raged for centuries; should you add the milk to the mug first or the tea to the mug first? We believe that when you add cold milk, the temperature of the water lowers and the tea doesn’t brew so well!
Tea buyer at Yorkshire Tea said: ““To get the best infusion possible, black tea really needs freshly boiled water (as close to 100°C as possible). To get the best of your brew in a mug, always make the tea first to your taste and strength and the milk after.”
Formedia HQ votes tea first!
Finally… Pinky finger in or pinky finger out?
How many people do you know that drink tea stick their pinky out? And for what reason? Many people often think that when drinking tea, the pinky should be stuck out. This originates from the eating habits of Ancient Rome. By raising ones pinky, it would be sign of elitism. Others believe that an outstretched pinky finger aids balance.
However, Formedia HQ votes pinky in!
As another National Cream Tea day passes, all we can think about is getting our hands on a tasty scone, lathered in cream and jam – whichever way, we will devour it all!
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