Whether you pronounce it ‘skon’ or ‘skoan’, put the jam or clotted cream on first, or favour the fruit or plain variety, the humble scone is the cornerstone of afternoon tea. With numerous establishments offering luxury cream teas across the UAE, the tradition of afternoon tea is well known. But with temperatures soaring and Covid-19 still keeping many indoors, why not give it a go at home? Scones, jam and cream – it’s a lot easier than you might think.
An afternoon tea menu is light and focuses on scones, finger sandwiches, jams and butter. There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to afternoon tea, but a standard selection comprises a tier of sandwiches, a tier of cakes and one of scones or teacakes. However, you could also throw in pastries, petit fours or biscuits.
One of the best things about afternoon tea is that it can be adapted depending on the likes and dislikes of your guests. Favourite teas include black varieties such as Earl Grey and Assam or herbal teas like chamomile and mint.
A wide range of products for afternoon tea
Everything you need to host at home
AED 28.00 / Each
Essential Waitrose salted dairy butter 250g
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AED 24.75 / Each
Elle & Vire crème fouettée spray cream 250g
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“I like to freeze my butter. Most recipes recommend 'cutting' the butter into the flour. I like to use a large-holed grater and grate the frozen butter” – Bobbi Lloyd, Chief Baker at Magnolia Bakery
How it began
Tea consumption increased dramatically during the early 19th century and it was around this time that Ann, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is said to have complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. With only two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, the solution was a pot of tea and a light snack, taken in her private rooms during the afternoon. It wasn’t long before other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long, all of fashionable society were sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
High or low?
Occasionally you will see hotels serving a 'high tea'. Traditionally, the upper classes would serve a 'low' or 'afternoon' tea at 4pm, just before the fashionable promenade in London's Hyde Park. The middle and lower classes would have a more substantial 'high' tea later in the day, around 5-6pm, in place of a late dinner. The names derive from the height of the tables on which the meals are served, high tea being served at the dinner table.
Make your own delicious scones at home
It’s easier than you think
Did you know?
- Scones are related to the ancient Welsh tradition of cooking small round yeast cakes.
- They were called scones because of the Stone of Destiny, a stone that Scottish kings would sit on when they were crowned.
- Scones come from Scotland, Ireland and England but it's unclear who invented them first.
- The scone's first known appearance in print came in a Scottish poem from 1513.
Skon or skoan?
Both pronunciations of the word ‘scone’ are acceptable. It’s pronounced ‘skon’ in Scotland and Northern England (rhymes with gone) while in the south of England, you'll hear ‘skoan’ (rhymes with own).
