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How to eat scones: jam or cream first?

We might have the answer.
scones(Photography: James Moffatt, Aremedia)

If you love scones, you’ve probably been at the centre of the age-old debate: does the jam or cream go first?

As with all debates, it’s been answered a million times by a million different people who swear they’re right. But, we may finally have an answer.

In this instance, there is nothing more believable than that of a popular English royal TV series called The Crown.

If you choose to believe it, we can settle the debate once and for all.

During season 2 of the acclaimed series, The Queen, played by Claire Foy, serves herself scones and it’s in this very moment that those who say jam first, would be wrong.

The Queen places the cream first, followed by the jam. Note this down in the history books.

But if you’re not one to take a TV show as a reliable source, we have British chef, Nigella Lawson to back us up.

She revealed she puts cream on her scones before the jam, too. 

However, she did reveal that depending on where in England you are, it may be swapped to jam first.

“In England, there are huge arguments going on about when you have scones, should you have the cream first or the jam first? If you’re from Devon … you would put the cream first and then the jam. And in Cornwall, you put the jam first and then the cream,” Lawson said.

She said clotted cream was “really like a version of butter and you put it on what is really like a quick bread”.

“It’s much easier to put the jam on top. If you put the jam first and then you try to put the cream on, you drag the jam, whereas the cream is heavier.”

What do you think? Jam or cream first?

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Scone recipes for you to try

lemonade scones

01

Lemonade scones recipe: perfectly light and fluffy

Perfect and fluffy every time!

This is a classic scone recipe that only uses a few ingredients, making it easy to whip up a batch on your own, with friends or even with the kids.

02

Date and walnut scones with honey cinnamon butter

Retake on a classic!

Enjoy the comforting embrace of these delightful date and walnut scones with honey cinnamon butter.

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03

Pumpkin scones

Savoury and sweet!

Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen first made these popular in Australia and she was certainly ‘scone’ to a good thing. Pumpkin scones are one of the most versatile type of scone. The baked good works as a great brunch item but can even be served as a dessert.

Photo: Caption

04

Savoury Scones

Fluffy and wholesome

Combine cheese and chives for a savoury sensation that’s a great less-fuss, more-taste bake…

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