Ever wondered how Britain’s love for tea started?
It all began in 1662, when Catherine de Braganza married Charles II and brought her favourite drink, tea, to England, making it all the rage.
Tea sales soared, and Britain’s love affair with tea began!
The Cream Tea Boom
In the 1850s, the Westcountry saw a tourism boom thanks to a brand new railway link. British tourists flocked to the coast for great food and relaxation, and who can blame them?
Enter the cream tea: a delicious, affordable treat that won everyone’s hearts. Even today, many travel to the Westcountry just for a taste of our delightful tradition.
The Perfect Cream Tea
There are many debates about how the perfect cream tea should be prepared, so we asked our friends at Rodda’s, who carried out an extensive experiment with The University of Sheffield.
Here’s what they found…
- Size: Scones should always be 4-7cm in diameter.
- Texture: Scones should be soft to the touch, breaking apart with a simple twist.
- Brewing: Let the tea bag brew for at least 3 minutes before adding milk.
- Jam First: While there’s much debate around which goes first, always spread your jam FIRST, before adding the clotted cream.
Thanks to our Cream Tea Hampers, you can enjoy our famous delicacy, wherever you are. Shop Cream Teas here.