A Yank’s Cream Tea
The following is a guest post from A.C. Cargill, author of Tea Time with A.C. Cargill. A.C. Cargill is a true tea lover and lives what she calls the “Tea Life” daily. She loves to share her fascination of this wonderful and versatile beverage with others.
This Yank spent some time in the British Isles and got, well, a wee bit spoiled by experiencing British-style teatimes. I’ve been spending effort since returning to the U.S. trying either to find a tearoom that serves an authentic tea or do my own at home. That search has gone on for quite some time now, with little success. Sigh!
Recently, a series of events have served to steer me in the right direction. First, I got to try some tea from a company in Devon, a county in the UK that specializes in teatimes of a particular nature that they call “cream teas.” Next, I saw clotted cream in a local market and decided to buy a jar (a tiny 1-ounce jar — sigh!). Then, a light-bulb clicked on over my head — no, not literally, but the kind symbolizing that an idea has been born. I’ll put that tea and some scones and that little jar of clotted cream along with some preserves all together for a Yank-style cream tea. Yippee!
Actually, I should be more specific. This is a Yank’s version of the Devon Cream Tea, which consists of tea, scones, clotted cream (preferably the kind made in Devon), and preserves (usually strawberry).
Hubby baked the scones. I guarded a couple of them to photograph (hubby loves scones). We steeped a pot of Devonshire Tea, opened the tiny jar of clotted cream and stirred its contents (a little separation occurs), and prepared our scenario for the photos. We worked fast, not because we were worried about the food or tea degrading, but because it was all so tempting. Click! Click! Ok, we’re done. Time to enjoy! (Actually, I was going to take a photo or two of the scones showing bites out of them, but they didn’t last long enough!)
All I can say here is that the inner “tea princess” in me is totally satisfied!
Melanie Pruitt wrote that U.S. tearooms serve either whipped cream or a combo of “sour cream with cream or mascarpone with whipped cream.” After tasting this clotted cream, admittedly not a true Devon Clotted Cream, I would find both of these to be pathetic substitutes. Some say that clotted cream tastes about halfway between butter and ice cream, but I have to disagree with this, too. It’s more of a taste halfway between butter and cream. Totally delicious!
By the way, there is a movement afoot to get “Devon Cream Tea” declared a protected name. I applaud this as one who thinks terminology matters. I don’t want to buy something labeled “tea” only to find that it contains no part of the Camellia Sinensisc plant. Similarly, I don’t want to sit down in a tearoom for a Devon Cream Tea and get served scones with whipped cream or biscuits with honey.
There is also quite a controversy out there about the proper order for slathering on the jam and clotted cream. Apparently, in Cornwall, jam under the clotted cream is the accepted way. In Devon, though, it’s jam on top of the clotted cream, the method I chose for my teatime. However, I’m not going anywhere near the controversy over how to pronounce “scone” (use the “o” sound in “gone” or in “cone”). You can all duke it out between yourselves. (Ever seen the movie “A Storm in a Teacup”? How about “Gulliver’s Travels” where a war was being waged over whether to open a soft-boiled egg at the small or large end? People can argue over some of the most seemingly inane things.)
I also want to add that Devonshire Tea showed itself to be the perfect tea for this Yank’s cream tea. Yum!
Interesting fact: “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) takes place in Devon.
© 2010 A.C. Cargill photos and text
Ah, the benefit of living right outside of Colonial Williamsburg! There’s a tea room in the historic district that offers an awesome tea experience. They’re legit, which is nice since some folks around here consider Starbucks a tea room! I haven’t been in a long while… Perhaps my mom will go with me one afternoon next week…
Comment by VaBookworm87 — July 14, 2010 @ 1:39 am
We have some really good tea rooms where I live as well, which isn’t too far from Va. Living on the east coast we are more likely to find tea rooms that are the most authentic I think.
Comment by smittenbybritain — July 14, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Well that all looked very traditional to me and quite delicious.
Strange coincidence: As I was preparing supper this evening I began singing : I like a nice cup of tea in the morning
For to start the day, you see.
And at half past eleven, well my idea of heaven is a nice cup of tea…etc etc.
It came out of nowhere [I was cooking curried prawns at the time] and had to sing the whole darned song before I could get it out of my head.
Comment by moannie — July 14, 2010 @ 6:44 pm
Ok, must put eating at a real tea room on the list of things to do before I die! Now to find one in the wilds of Ohio LOL
Comment by Miss Marla — July 14, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Thank you for posting this, much appreciated.
I’ll be brave- I say scone as in “gone” and my jam goes first and
the cream second.
But, having said that, I would not say no to that beautiful treat above
I have given up ordering a pot or even a cup of tea anywhere in
Melbourne and Sydney. I have tried every single place and
suffered in the process. You would not believe some of the
“offerings” I have been served over the years when asking for a
simple, hot fresh pot of tea. It is SO frustrating.
Coffee, well that is a different story, you can get it any and every way possible.
What happened in Australia between 1788-2010!!!
Comment by Dean Measor — July 14, 2010 @ 11:38 pm
As a born and bred Devonian boy I have to say no one makes a cream tea quite like we do.
I was sat the other day outside a cafe (in Plymouth) that sits right on the south Devon coast looking out across the English Channel. I was there enjoying the summer day with my delicious, freshly made cream tea. Yes, the scones were still warm and that is always the best way.
Looking at your third photo makes my mouth water. There is just one thing I would suggest – get some more clotted cream on that scone and really fatten that thing up in proper Devonian-style. If you ever go on a diet or watch your weight then you not be from Devonshire m’luvver!
I am glad you enjoy one of our local specialities and I so hear you with the name protection thing. I ordered a so-called Devon cream tea and my God it was anything but. When I made a point about it the person tried to get all antsy until I pointed out I was Devonian – that ended the conversation pretty sharpish and landed me a nice refund, thank you very much. The look on the face of the staff was priceless – you could not have made that reaction up. Talk about being caught with your pants down. Devon cream tea does not consist of something with raisins in it buried by a load of Cornish (hello!) clotted cream and jam – what the hell that was I will never know but it was not Devonian.
Enjoy those Yank Cream Teas. ‘Ere, you should go with that and start your own brand
Hx
Comment by Hadyn Thomas — July 20, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
For Anglophiles around the world searching for Afternoon Tea venues in America, I invite you to our website http://www.GreatTearoomsOfAmerica.com , a growing directory of tea rooms across the United States. Search by city, state, name or zip code….or add your own find.
Comment by Tea Lover Denise — October 11, 2010 @ 10:17 pm