An English Cream Tea

Will you join me for a traditional English 'Cream Tea' afternoon?





A 'Cream Tea', rather confusingly, is not a cup of tea, taken with cream and sugar. (You will know from this blog that mostly, tea is taken with milk.) The Cream Tea, refers to a special treat we indulge in on sunny days at the seaside. As it is gloomy and wintry today, I thought you might like to take a summery seaside day-trip with me. What a pretty little cabin above!




You never know where you will find a cosy teashop. This one is in Cornwall. They call them 'Cornish cream teas' here.




But there are lots in Devon too - only they are called 'Devonshire Cream teas' : ) Actually you will find tea-shops selling their version of cream teas in seaside towns mainly in the West-country of England, and also in Wales.





A cream tea includes - Home-baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream



And a pot of tea for two. Sometimes eaten outside if the weather is hot.



This is a pot of well-known clotted cream. It tastes so good.

This link takes you to information about clotted cream. http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/food/clotted.htm

Oh, oh, oh, it's too delicious! Sometimes holiday-makers have pots of clotted cream delivered to their family or friends back home

I have just discovered that there is a company who will ship to America! http://www.britishdelights.com/cream.htm
(I have had another look at this link and the cream is in a jar, and has a long life, so I'm not sure if it will taste the same as fresh clotted cream.)



Now we might take a gentle stroll along the promenade to end our perfect afternoon.

Ladies, if you are thinking of visiting  England and experiencing a cream tea, please do a little research on the best teashops. One or two may not come up to expectations, but there are many tea-shops who will give you a lovely tea. try the smaller, independent tea-shops if you are in doubt.

Happy tea-time, ladies