Devon Cream Teas in North Devon

The Devon Cream Tea

“An institution” 

The precise origin of the cream tea is disputed, though historians have found evidence that a tradition of eating bread with cream and jam existed at Tavistock abbey in Devon during the 11th century.

There are variations between Devon and Cornwall as to how a cream tea should be eaten – and no doubt variations within the variations.

However, one Devon method is to split the scone in two, cover each half with Devon clotted cream, and then add strawberry jam on top. Butter should never be included, some believe.

In Cornwall, the cream tea was traditionally served with a "Cornish split", a type of slightly sweet white bread roll, rather than a scone. The warm roll would first be spread with strawberry jam, and finally topped with a spoonful of Cornish clotted cream.

Historically Devon has many variations some are so delicious and really must be tried.