Jam or Cream First? The Great Cornish Cream Tea Debate
|
|
Time to read 6 min
So, Does Jam or Cream Go First?
There are some questions best approached carefully in Cornwall.
Where's the best beach?
Who makes the best Cornish pasty?
And perhaps most dangerous of all...Jam or Cream first?
To anyone unfamiliar with the great Cornish cream tea debate, it might seem like a remarkably trivial thing to argue about.
You have a freshly baked scone, you have strawberry jam and you have a generous helping of beautifully rich Cornish clotted cream.
Surely you just put them together and eat it? … Not quite.
Because on one side of the Tamar, there's a very definite answer.
And here in Cornwall, we're happy to settle the matter right at the beginning:
"Jam first. Cream second"
That's the Cornish way. Our friends across the border in Devon may have something to say about that, of course.
So put the kettle on, find the scones and prepare yourself for one of Britain's most delicious disagreements.
Table of contents
Introduction What Is a Cornish Cream Tea? So, Does Jam or Cream Go First? Why Does Cornwall Put Jam First? Why Does Devon Put the Cream First? How to Make a Proper Cornish Cream Tea at Home Should You Warm Scones for a Cream Tea? What Jam Is Best for a Cornish Cream Tea? Do You Need Butter on a Cream Tea Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Cornish Cream Tea?
Before we tackle the controversy, let's establish what we're dealing with.
A traditional Cornish cream tea is beautifully simple:
Fresh scones, strawberry jam, Cornish clotted cream and a pot of tea.
Visit Cornwall describes the cream tea as a quintessential Cornish food tradition and confirms that, in Cornwall, the custom is to spread the jam first, followed by a generous helping of clotted cream.
There are no towers of finger sandwiches required. No elaborate pastries and no need for three tiers of afternoon-tea crockery.
Just a good scone, excellent jam, proper clotted cream and tea.
It's precisely that simplicity that makes the quality of each ingredient so important.
And it's why a cream tea in Cornwall can be such a memorable part of a holiday.
So, Does Jam or Cream Go First?
Here's where things become serious. There are two traditional methods -
The Cornish Cream Tea
Split your scone. Spread it generously with strawberry jam.
Then spoon Cornish clotted cream on top.
Scone → Jam → Cream
The Devon Cream Tea
Across the border, the traditional Devon method reverses things.
The clotted cream goes onto the scone first, followed by the jam.
Scone → Cream → Jam
That single reversal has fuelled a friendly rivalry between Cornwall and Devon for generations. Contemporary guides to both traditions continue to recognise precisely this distinction.
We obviously don't wish to inflame regional tensions. But we're Cornish so... Jam first.
Why Does Cornwall Put Jam First?
There is more to the jam first or cream first question than regional stubbornness.
The Cornish method makes rather good sense.
Jam spreads beautifully across the cut surface of a scone, creating an even layer of fruit before the rich clotted cream is spooned over the top.
And crucially, the cream isn't treated like butter.
It becomes the indulgent finishing layer.
A proper spoonful of Cornish clotted cream sitting proudly above the strawberry jam.
The contrast is part of the pleasure. Golden scone, bright strawberry jam, thick luxurious cream. It's difficult to improve upon.
Rodda's own cream-tea material instructs people to serve scones the Cornish way: jam first, followed by Rodda's clotted cream.
https://www.roddas.co.uk/shop/
Why Does Devon Put the Cream First?
In the interests of fairness, we should allow the opposition to present its case.
The traditional Devon cream tea treats clotted cream a little more like butter.
The cream is spread directly onto the scone, creating a rich base, and the jam is then spooned over it.
Supporters argue that this creates a creamy foundation for the jam and prevents the preserve soaking into the scone. The distinction is generally regarded as regional tradition rather than a universal rule of etiquette.
How to Make a Proper Cornish Cream Tea at Home
Recreating the experience couldn't be much easier.
Start with good-quality scones and warm them gently if you prefer them that way.
Then comes the important bit...
The Proper Cornish order:
- Split the scone
- Strawberry jam first
- Cornish clotted cream second
- Pour the tea
- Enjoy
And don't be timid with the cream. A cream tea is not the occasion for restraint.
Should You Warm Scones for a Cream Tea?
This comes down largely to personal preference.
A gently warmed scone can be wonderful, particularly because of the contrast between the warm bake and cool clotted cream.
But there's an important distinction between warm and hot.
Pile clotted cream onto a piping-hot scone and you risk turning that beautifully thick cream into a rapidly melting puddle.
Give your scone a moment before adding the toppings.
What Jam Is Best for a Cornish Cream Tea?
Strawberry jam is the classic choice and is the combination most strongly associated with a traditional Cornish cream tea. Visit Cornwall likewise describes the traditional combination as freshly baked scones, Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam.
That doesn't mean you're forbidden from experimenting.
Raspberry jam can be delicious.
Blackcurrant works beautifully.
You might have a favourite preserve made locally.
But if you're recreating the classic Cornish cream tea, strawberry is difficult to beat. Its bright fruitiness cuts through the richness of the clotted cream beautifully.
Do You Need Butter on a Cream Tea
Now we're entering dangerous territory again.
Traditionally, the jam and clotted cream provide more than enough richness and moisture without adding butter.
The clotted cream is not exactly known for being shy. Our recommendation...save the butter for your toast.
Give the scone plenty of jam and a gloriously generous spoonful of cream instead.
Bring the Cornish Cream Tea Home
The good news is that you don't actually have to be sitting beside a Cornish harbour to enjoy one. A cream tea delivered to your door lets you recreate part of that experience at home. It's also why Cornish cream tea hampers make such lovely food gifts.
Explore our Cream Tea by post collection and treat yourself or others to a Taste of Cornwall at home.
Jam First or Cream First? Our Verdict
We promised to investigate the great cream tea debate.
We have considered both sides.
We've listened respectfully to Devon.
We've examined the evidence.
And after careful consideration, we can finally reveal the Proper Pasty verdict:
Jam first. Cream on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does jam or cream go first on a Cornish cream tea?
Jam goes first on a traditional Cornish cream tea, followed by a generous spoonful of clotted cream. The reverse—cream followed by jam—is traditionally associated with Devon.
What is in a traditional Cornish cream tea?
A classic Cornish cream tea consists of scones served with strawberry jam, Cornish clotted cream and tea.
What is the difference between a Cornish and Devon cream tea?
The famous difference is the order of the toppings. Cornwall traditionally puts jam first and cream on top, while the traditional Devon method puts the cream on first followed by jam.
What type of jam goes with a Cornish cream tea?
Strawberry jam is the classic choice for a traditional Cornish cream tea. Its fruity sweetness pairs particularly well with rich clotted cream.
Is a cream tea the same as afternoon tea?
No. A cream tea principally centres around scones, jam, clotted cream and tea. Afternoon tea is generally a larger meal that can also include sandwiches, cakes and pastries.
Can you have a Cornish cream tea delivered?
Yes. Cream tea hampers and Cornish cream teas by post make it possible to enjoy the experience at home or send it as a food gift to friends and family.
Should scones be warm for a cream tea?
They can be served gently warmed or at room temperature. If warming them, allow extremely hot scones to cool slightly before adding the clotted cream so that it retains its wonderfully thick texture.
Do you put butter on a Cornish cream tea?
Butter isn't necessary for the classic combination. The traditional stars are the scone, strawberry jam and generous helping of clotted cream.