What is Cream Tea and History

A term thrown about often enough these days is “staycation.” It simply means having a holiday in your country of residence, which, if you’re UK-based, could mean venturing into the west country. The likes of Devon and Cornwall (in no particular order!) have long been known for Cream Tea. Which prompts the question: What is Cream Tea, and why is it so loved, so adored?

This is what we’ll be finding out in the following article, so please keep reading to learn about its finer qualities. Once you know the facts, you can buy Loose Tea or Fresh Coffee from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. What’s more, our Afternoon Tea Directory is an excellent place to discover a delightful Tea Room near you. What could be better than that?

What is Cream Tea?

Allow us to start at the beginning: What is Cream Tea? This popular lunch includes a cup of Loose Leaf Tea, scones, clotted cream, jam, and occasionally butter. It is different to conventional Afternoon Tea in that it doesn’t have finger sandwiches nor cake.

But to dismiss it as a mere snack in comparison to its larger counterpart would be a mistake. It is most filling indeed - and ever indulgent!

But a controversy persists. Does one layer the clotted cream on the scone first, followed by the jam, as they do in Devon? Or is it better to spread the jam and then the clotted cream in the quintessentially Cornish manner?

We couldn’t say. All we know with any certainty is that one shouldn’t partake in the Devonshire-style Cream Tea while in Cornwall and vice versa!

History of Cream Tea

The playful enough battle between the two counties continues, especially concerning who invented Cream Tea. Its precise origin remains disputed.

However, there is some evidence to suggest that the tradition of having bread with cream and jam already existed at Devon’s Tavistock Abbey in the 11th century. When, exactly, bread became scones is unknown. The chances are it’ll forever be a mystery.

The concept was seemingly well established by the time that Philip Maitland Hubbard published his novel, “Picture of Millie”, in 1964.

A quote from the book reads: “We just bathe and moon about and eat cream teas.” Doesn’t that just sound wonderful? The good news is that you can treat yourself to a similar experience by heading on over to our Afternoon Tea directory.

Where Can I Get a Cream Tea Near Me?

You don’t have to live in either Cornwall or Devon to enjoy a Cream Tea near you. From Perth to Canterbury, London to Belfast, Poole or Swansea, the possibilities are almost endless.

The bottom line is that regardless of where you are in the country, the listings on our directory will, undoubtedly, have something for you. And you are only a couple of clicks away!

Exploring the site, you will see locations organised by country, region, county, city and towns and, of course, specific venues.

Our team here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company has visited several establishments and provided detailed descriptions of many of them. And when you get home and want to carry on the experience, you can count on us to meet your brew needs!

Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea - in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee - from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.