It is an ongoing debate that has perplexed people for years. When given the chance to indulge in a perfectly innocent scone (or “sconn ”, but that’s a whole different story!), does one put jam followed by cream, or is it cream followed by jam?
Really, it’s a simple answer and it’s all to do with where your loyalties lie; Devon or Cornwall. Our Devonshire natives are known for slathering a vast layer of cream first, followed by a fruitful jam. However, the story is quite different for those in Cornwall. The Cornish thrive on an initial layer of jam, followed by a generous heap of cream on top.
Cream teas are a tradition across the whole of the country and are often a huge draw for groups of tourists seeking a fine British experience. But one part of the experience that is a complete no-go when it comes to actually eating the scone is the act of placing both halves together like a sandwich. Absolutely not. Scones are to be eaten at a leisurely pace and, most definitely, in two halves.
It seems it is simply a choice of which seaside county you prefer when it comes to enjoying scones with jam and cream, or cream and jam. Either way, they are perfectly delicious but the debate will no doubt continue to endure amongst the strong-willed Devonians and Cornish natives.