English Scones vs. American Scones - A Huge Difference

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English Scones vs. American Scones

We really enjoyed eating English Scones in the United Kingdom. It was perhaps one of our favorite lite meals with tea. But the same can’t be said in America.

If there's anything I'd like to dodge at a coffee or tea shop in the United States, it's those triangle shaped dry crumbly things they call scones.  These triangles are probably designed just to make you feel like you're eating your coffee or tea, because you certainly cannot eat them by themselves!  They are so dry it it feels like you're eating a handful of crackers, just much thicker and more dense. Even if you're dunking them they are quite dodgy as their taste is usually bland enough to ruin your beverage.

Now, I'm not saying that American's can't bake their own moist versions of American scones that taste great, I've had a few that are OK... but, I've never found one at a bakery, cafe, or coffee shop that were edible. 

It's no wonder I felt compelled to dodge scones when I arrived in the United Kingdom.  However, when trying a "high tea", I was served a scone - with sultanas - nonetheless. Rather than just giving it a miss, I decided to try this circular thing they referred to as a "scone".  To my pleasant surprise, these moist biscuit-like scones - baked with things resembling raisins - were a serious delight, especially when topped with jam and clotted cream!  After traveling around the U.K., I can honestly say that I am very pleased that the circular scones have been the norm.

There are nearly no comparisons between a scone from the United States and a scone from the United Kingdom.  So, if you are not a fan of the ones from the States, please don't feel discouraged to try one in the U.K. You won't regret it! You may even start to refer to the British scones as “skahns” and top them with jam first, with clotted cream on top. For more information about the UK, check out the links below or learn more about customs and culture in Britain through this essential book.

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