What's the Difference Between a Devon Cream Tea and a Cornish Cream Tea?
Cream tea is a British ritual & tradition that is enjoyed throughout the United Kingdom, although Devon (or Devonshire) and Cornwall are possibly the two counties that enjoy it the most. There are several debates about whether site is the true birthplace of the cream tea, with subtle variations in each tea service. They're both a fantastic way to spend a day, regardless of whose side you're on.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CREAM TEA?
A cream tea is a small meal that includes scones, fruit jam, clotted cream, and a pot of freshly made tea. The scone is traditionally served warm and, if possible, freshly made, with clotted cream rather of whipped cream. Strawberry jam is the most often used jam. It's popular in southwest England (where Devon and Cornwall are located), but it's also available everywhere in the nation. It's often served in the afternoon, although it can be offered at any time during the day.
A cream tea should not be confused with afternoon tea, which is more of a meal in the English tradition. Afternoon tea, which is served after lunch and before supper, usually includes more than just scones, with small sandwiches and other snacks and desserts. Cream tea is a lighter and more casual tea break.
CORNISH CREAM TEA VS. DEVON CREAM TEA
The distinction between a Devonshire cream tea and a Cornwall cream tea boils down to how it's presented. Tea, scones, jam, and clotted cream are served in both forms. The scones are cut in half in Devon and topped with cream and jam. Split scones are topped with jam and then cream in Cornwall. While the sequence of the ingredients does not necessarily impact the flavour of the cream tea, it does make a difference. Both forms of cream tea are popular in England, and how you eat your scones is a matter of personal opinion.
For cream tea, the Cornish split, a somewhat sweet bread roll that is lighter than a scone, can occasionally be substituted for a scone. A similar bread known as the Devonshire split is occasionally offered in Devon. It's smaller than a Cornish split and comes with cream and jam on the side.
WHAT IS CLOTTED CREAM?
Cream teas are generally served with clotted cream. It's a cross between whipped cream and butter, with a yellow colour and a thick consistency similar to butter but a rich and creamy texture similar to whipped cream. It's created by boiling unpasteurized cow's milk for many hours in a shallow pan, causing the cream to rise to the surface and "clot." Cornish clotted cream is protected by the EU as a Designated Origin product, meaning it may only be branded as "Cornish clotted cream" if it is manufactured with milk from Cornwall cows and has a butterfat content of 55 percent. Cornish cows graze abundant grass, which gives the clotted cream its distinctive golden hue.
Did you know the difference between a Devon cream tea and a Cornish cream tea?
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