The cream tea is the most luxurious of English summer treats, ideal after a long walk in the West Country sunshine or as a treat with friends. But what goes into the perfect cream tea? Traditionally, this depends on where you are in the country.
The cream tea originated in the West Country, but there is some dispute over whether they began in Cornwall or Devon. A Devonshire cream tea is the one most people will recognize with scones, jam, cream and of course a pot of tea. A Cornish cream tea normally comes with a sweet roll instead of a scone, but still includes butter, jam and cream.
Nowadays, the scone is the typical offering when in teashops, which can be found all over the country. No longer do you have to be limited to the South West to enjoy the perfect cream tea. All you need is some quality baked goods and cream.
The choice of scone is all important; some people prefer plain scones, but for a more modern twist and to get one of your five a day, why not try a fruit scone with raisins, sultanas and cherries? Or even a mix of all three!
Next, you need cream to go on the scone (or if you’re from Cornwall, the butter and jam should go on first). You then add either clotted cream or whipped cream. Whipped cream is the healthier option, as you eat less given the air mixed in. You can also now get low-fat whipping creams. However, if decadence is your preferred choice, go for clotted cream – it’s more unctuous and makes the whole cream tea more indulgent.
Finally, a good dollop of jam is needed. According to tradition, strawberry is typically offered, but raspberry offers a nice sharp contrast to the sweetness of the clotted cream. If you want to be ‘out there’ you can always opt for apricot, damson, or blueberry. The choice is yours, but as with all preserves, the best are always homemade.
To finish the whole thing off, a good cup of tea is needed. Some nice English Breakfast Tea is a good all-rounder that cuts through the thickness of the cream, but Earl Grey or black tea with lemon also works well.
If you want to go the extra-mile, or have something more substantial, you can always have ‘afternoon tea’ instead of a cream tea. Not only can you have scones, but also sandwiches and other cream cakes.
These include chocolate éclairs filled with cream, a whoopie (a new baked item from the States filled with cream or frosting) or even a good old jam doughnut.
Whatever you choose, all that’s left is to enjoy your cream tea in a leisurely fashion, preferably in the sunshine and with friends!
Unusual Bakeries
Looking for somewhere a bit different to eat? All the bakeries below are breaking out of the traditional bakery mould in one way or another…
The Great British Picnic
The summer weather in the United Kingdom is temperamental at best, so as soon as the British population get a hint of sunshine, we get the urge to go out and picnic. Eating ‘al fresco’ is a wonderful activity and a great way to pass a lazy Sunday afternoon with family and friends. Whatever your plans, there are some things that you simply must have to have a ‘great British picnic’.
