Cream tea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A cream tea, Devonshire tea or Cornish cream tea[1] is tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jam. In the United States, it is promoted as a typically English, and perhaps upper class, afternoon snack.
Cream teas are offered for sale in tea rooms throughout England and the Commonwealth, or wherever someone wants to give an impression of British influence.
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[edit] History
The name "Devonshire tea" comes from the county of Devon in England, where it is a local speciality. The exact origin of cream tea is disputed, although there is evidence to suggest that they originated in Tavistock around 997AD.[2]
[edit] Variations
Other items served with a cream tea may include cucumber or watercress sandwiches with the crusts cut off and various small cakes or biscuits; although in general these are not requirements for a cream tea.
In Cornwall, it is traditionally served with a "Cornish split", a type of sweet white bread roll, rather than a scone.[3]
Another variation to a cream tea is called "Thunder and Lightning" which consists of a round of bread, topped with clotted cream and golden syrup.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sandra Salmans. "BRITAIN'S BEST AT TEATIME", New York Times, 1982-09-05. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Were cream teas "invented" in Tavistock?. BBC (2004-01-17). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Harriet O'Brien. "Cornwall: A clean break", The Independent, 2006-07-08. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
