RFI--Cream Tea

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So at first I figured that obviously this is tea, like a cup of tea, with cream in it. Then I read some mention of it and gathered from the context that it was some sort of candy. Now, if I understand correctly, I suspect it is an assortment of things that you eat for tea? So it is a general term for tea (the meal/snack, not the beverage) and not some specific item of food/drink?

Please enlighten this ugly american. Tell me about your favorite cream tea. Do people still really eat this on a regular basis? Do you make it at home or only have it at restaurants? Do the contents vary or does it always involve a scone and clotted cream? Can you have coffee instead of tea? How about booze?

So many questions. . .

― quincie, Friday, 7 January 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

I think the concept is lovely, though. . . but how to execute properly?

― quincie, Friday, 7 January 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

It's a cup of tea, with a scone with jam and clotted cream. I indulge sometimes during the summer, but only if I think the clotted cream has a thick enough crust on it.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 7 January 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

It's the kind of thing you have in posh hotels or National Trust cafes or quaint teashops in little villages etc. Not something most people would really prepare for themsleves at home.

A good cream tea is a nice treat. Cucumber sandwiches may also feature.

― pete b. (pete b.), Friday, 7 January 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Crusty clotted cream? Really?

― quincie, Friday, 7 January 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

Tea with CREAM IN IT? You are mad for even imagining this. Eurch it would be all greasy and disgusting. I don't think coffee is substitutable either: the little old ladies in the Devon (clotted cream is a South-Western England regional speciality) tea-shoppe would definitely look askance and rustle their lace mittens.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Friday, 7 January 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

Clotted cream needs to have a really thick, dark yellow crust on it before it tempts me.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 7 January 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

http://www.broadwayhouse.com/creamtea.html

― laurence kansas (lawrence kansas), Friday, 7 January 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

A cream tea is a lovely pot of tea served with scones. You are provided with clotted cream, jam, and butter to put on the scones. You do not put the clotted cream, jam, or butter in the tea.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Friday, 7 January 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

you can also buy biscuits called Cream Tease. Oooh, you tart.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Friday, 7 January 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

mmm cream tea....

http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/hotels/images/sunnymeadetea.jpg

it's such a traditional thing, that the definition has become very tight. it HAS to be tea, it HAS to be scones, there HAS to be clotted cream, and arguably, it has to be rasberry jam. Otherwise, it's just afternoon tea, not a cream tea. It's really just a tourist thing now, because not that many people have scones and clotted cream in their houses and clotted cream isn't a staple item in every shop

― Vicky (Vicky), Friday, 7 January 2005 16:27 (twenty years ago)

mmm tasty!!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Friday, 7 January 2005 17:07 (twenty years ago)

I'm very concerned about this thick, dark yellow CRUST thing. Surely this is not a good thing? Are you pulling my leg?

― quincie, Friday, 7 January 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

what exactly is clotted cream? and putting regular cream in tea is frowned upon? i had no idea! what about honey?

― Emilymv (Emilymv), Friday, 7 January 2005 18:28 (twenty years ago)

If you go for tea at The Ritz
you get tea, scones, cream, jam, etc. as part of the deal. You get loads more stuff to eat as well. You can eat as much as like too - they will return with more food & drink as many times as you wish.

The special mini oven glove type things with which to lift your silver teapot are a thoughtful touch.

Clotted Cream

― Mooro (Mooro), Friday, 7 January 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

you also have to remember that the clotted cream goes on the scone BEFORE the jam. A lot of people do it the other way round, which doesn't taste as nice.

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 7 January 2005 19:16 (twenty years ago)

oh and honey is not to be thought of! nice as it is.

― The Lex (The Lex), Friday, 7 January 2005 19:17 (twenty years ago)

What kind of tea do you have? Earl Gray or Prince of Wales or will just any old tea do?

― quincie, Friday, 7 January 2005 19:41 (twenty years ago)

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