Scones (pronounced "skon" or "skohn") are a British quick bread: round baked buns made from wheat flour, eggs, sugar, fresh milk and butter, with some recipes adding dried fruit or nuts. They are crisp on the outside and soft inside, and not overly sweet.
Scones are usually split in half and spread with jam and whipped cream for extra flavour. They go perfectly with tea or coffee, and also make a tasty, filling breakfast or mid-day snack.
Where the Name Comes From
Scones go by several names in English. Some link them to the "Stone of Scone" or "Stone of Destiny", used in the coronation ceremonies of Scottish kings. Others say the name comes from the Dutch schoonbrot, meaning "beautiful bread". The name can be pronounced in more than one way, and in Thai it is written in several different spellings, all of which are accepted, since there is still no definitive Thai transliteration.
A Wholesome Bake
The ingredients in scones are nutritious, making them a wholesome bake that can even replace a main meal. Wheat flour, for example, comes from wheat grains rich in carbohydrates, fat and a range of vitamins that help prevent beriberi and nervous system disorders, nourish skin and hair, and also help prevent angular cheilitis and anaemia.
The Right Way to Eat Scones
Many people who have bought this classic, lightly sweet bake have found it not quite to their taste, or less delicious than other bakery items that can be eaten straight away. That is because they are eating it the wrong way. To enjoy scones properly, warm them first, then split them in two and spread with clotted cream or whipped cream and jam. Eat them piece by piece, slowly, with tea or coffee, and you will taste the scone at its very best. Dipping pieces straight into the cream and jam is delicious too.
Scones are the perfect baked snack to enjoy with tea or coffee.
