Costa Coffee has reintroduced a classic British teatime treat to its UK menus after it was discontinued more than five years ago.
The coffee chain is now selling scones served with jam and cream at more than 1,000 stores as part of a new afternoon offer.
Scones were removed from menus around 2020 or early 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their return has reignited the debate over whether jam or cream should be spread on scones first, as reported by creatorzine.com.
Costa Coffee brings back iconic British treat to menus after 5 years
Costa has launched a “50/50” scone, topped with a balanced swirl of both jam and cream, in a bid to save the arguments.
The toppings are piped together using a custom-made dual piping bag.
The first of these scones was served to the mayors of Saltash and Kingsbridge at Costa’s Saltash branch, located near the Devon–Cornwall border, an area that's the symbolic centre of the traditional cream tea rivalry.
Cornish tradition dictates that jam should be spread before the cream, while the Devon method places cream underneath the jam.
Councillor Brian Stoyel, mayor of Saltash, said: "We’re proud that Saltash has become the home of Britain’s latest chapter in the great scone debate.
"The beauty of Costa’s 50/50 scone is that it celebrates both traditions rather than choosing between them.
"After trying it for myself, I can confirm it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds – proof that sometimes bringing people together is even better than settling the argument."
Costa Coffee’s research found that 71% of Brits prefer the Cornish, jam-first method.
However, 29% of people said they preferred cream first.
More than a third admitted judging somebody for preparing a scone the “wrong” way, and one in five had refused to eat one assembled in the opposing order.
Andrea Stewart, global head of food at Costa Coffee, said: "Our research shows Britain remains divided when it comes to how people top their scones, so we thought it was about time someone brought both sides together.
"Rather than choosing between two much-loved traditions, we wanted to create a playful compromise that celebrates both approaches."
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The poll also found 52% of younger people believed cream teas were finding a new audience online.
Meanwhile, 55% pronounce “scone” to rhyme with “gone”, compared with 45% who favour rhyming it with “bone”.
The returning scones are part of Costa’s new Afternoon Bundle.
The deal, which includes a regular hot or iced drink and one scone with cream and jam, starts at £6.49.
It will be available to buy until October 21 at selected Costa Coffee stores.
Do you put jam or cream on your scone first? Let us know in the comments below.
