Cream tea debate solved once and for all as expert wades in

A Cornish clotted cream tea producer may just have settled the great cream tea debate in time for today's National Cream Tea Day. Rodda's says most enjoying the delicious sweet treat prefer it the Cornwall way - that's jam first.

While the firm says it doesn't actually mind which one people opt for, it shared new research showing more than two fifths (44 per cent) of Brits staunchly advocate for jam first. Just over a third (32 per cent) prefer to dollop on the clotted cream first.

And it reckons younger foodies have a growing appetite for experimental fillings including almond butter, sweet chilli jam and smoked salmon - although not at the same time. It said scone lovers are keen to try unconventional cream tea flavours such as cinnamon, sugar, and apple slices (21 per cent), lemon curd (21 per cent), and raspberry preserves with almond butter (20 per cent). Savoury options are also said to be on the rise, with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and sweet chilli jam with cheddar gaining popularity.

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Rodda's says it found that, perhaps surprisingly, more men than women have enjoyed a cream tea in the past month, with most males preferring to share one with their significant other while women opt for close friends. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 75 per cent said they have indulged in a cream tea and most did so within the last six months.

The firm also asked the people it surveyed for their dream afternoon tea guests, with David Attenborough topping the list of desired cream tea companions (15 per cent), followed by The King (eight per cent), Mary Berry (seven per cent), Alison Hammond (seven per cent), and Amanda Holden (six per cent).

Rodda’s founder Nicholas Rodda says: "As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Cream Tea Day, people across the nation will come together to enjoy one of the country’s favourite pastimes – scones, Cornish clotted cream, and jam. Whether you like jam first, or Cornish clotted cream first, we actually don’t mind!

"Just tuck in and enjoy this special day. If you can throw an afternoon tea party, selling cream teas and help raise crucial funds for charity, that’s even better."

National Cream Tea Day is marking its tenth anniversary on today, and to mark the milestone, Rodda’s has partnered with Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth to unveil a gourmet afternoon tea-tasting menu.

This experience includes a selection of adventurous cream tea recipes like Cornish Gin and beetroot cured salmon, dill and lemon clotted cream on a chive and spring onion scone to a traditional Cornish strawberry cream tea trio featuring fresh, poached, and jam strawberries with Rodda’s vanilla clotted cream.

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