Scones: History and Tradition

These lovelies are in my opinion the ultimate pastry and treat to go along with any favored cup of tea.

Scones, pronounced Skon with the long O sound is quite in a controversy of it's actual true origins whether it be Scotland, England, Holland/Dutch or Rome.

In Scotland the scone is classified as a quick bread that was originally made with oats and were baked via the griddle where today the scone is flour based and baked in the conventional oven. The Scottish word for scone was derived from Stone (scone) of Destiny, the site where the Kings of Scotland were coronated and crowned.

Scones come in various shapes from triangles, round, square or in diamond shapes and are biscuit like pastries or quick breads as mentioned that are often rolled into round shapes and cut into quarters, baked or griddled resulting in a savory or sweet and are usually eaten for breakfast, afternoon tea time and even today are now served in select coffeehouses.

Dawned with sweet cream, berries, preserves, fresh butter or honey, you choose your favorite way to eat these delightful pastries.

Many seem quite certain that the first scones were actually baked in cast iron pots hanging in the kitchen fireplaces of rural England and the isle of Whales while others believe the scone evolved from the Dutch biscuit, schoonbrot, which means "beautiful bread".

According to Webster's Dictionary, scones originated in Scotland in the early 1500's while they became popular and an essential pat of the fashionable ritual of taking tea in England when Anna, the Dutchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one late afternoon, ordered the servants to bring tea and some sweet breads, which included scones and was so delighted by this decadent pastry, she ordered it every afternoon that they became an English tradition of "Afternoon Tea Time" that was served around 4:00pm and to this day still served with traditional clotted cream in Britain.

One other thought is that the scone may have begun as early as 100 BC, when Roman bakers who were famously known for their confectionery skills, improved on the tradition of throwing wheat at the bride and groom. Instead they baked the wheat into small, sweet biscuits, or scones.

So, while we may never truly know the exact origin of these fine, delicate and delicious pastries, scones will forever remain quintessentially British and you can enjoy them with us here at Teaporia with our award winning River Creek Bakery scone mixes that are easy to make and once you take your first bite the first thing out of your mouth will be "ummmm" and with many different types and flavors to savor with any of your favorite teas from Teaporia Specialty Teas.

Also try our San Saba Pecan Preserves in several delectable flavors like apple pecan, blackberry, orange and more to add to your scone treats.