American 'solves' British argument on preparing scone but Brits aren't impressed

Daily Mirror

21-05-2025

An American woman has divided the internet after she shared her unusual method of spreading jam and cream onto a scone, with Brits branding the technique 'disgusting' and 'uncomfortable'
The preparation of scones is a topic that can either unite or divide Brits. The traditional toppings of jam and clotted cream, with their origins traced back to Devon and Cornwall in the 11th century, are undisputed.
However, the sequence in which these toppings are applied to the scone can spark heated debates, depending on one's location or company. The Cornish method traditionally involves spreading jam first, followed by a dollop of clotted cream. Conversely, the Devon approach calls for clotted cream first, then jam. Across the country, people passionately defend their preferred method as the 'correct' way to eat a scone.
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An American woman, however, claims to have resolved this contentious issue. Her British girlfriend, Kirsty Leanne, captured her innovative technique during their recent visit to Fortnum and Mason in London.
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"My American [girlfriend] thinks she's fixed the age old British issue of what goes first and apparently it's both at the same time," Kirsty captioned the TikTok video.
The video showed her girlfriend simultaneously scooping up both clotted cream and jam onto her knife. Holding the scone in her other hand, she proceeded to spread both toppings together onto the piece of bread.
This resulted in a blend of jam and clotted cream. Despite appearing somewhat messy, it was evident that both the jam and the cream had managed to occupy both the top and bottom layers simultaneously.
Kirsty quipped in her video's caption: "Problem solved, I guess."
However the audience wasn't as convinced, with loads taking to the comment section to voice their opinions on the American's 'insane' scone approach.
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One exclaimed: "Good job she's not doing that in a public place. Imagine if she did that in a tea room!" And upon learning the couple had been in Fortnum and Mason's, they once again wrote: "And they let you stay?!!".
Another Brit wrote: "As a Brit the 'debate' never made sense to me. Clearly the only way to eat a scone is to put jam on one half, cream on the other, then shove the whole thing in your mouth like a sandwich".
However others were very persistent on what order to add the jam and cream, with one person proclaiming: "Jam first, no exceptions."
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Another countered: "The cream is a replacement for butter and goes first to provide a stable base for the jam."
Looking on the bright side, one individual noted: "Cornwall and Devon finally united in agreement that this is objectively the wrong answer."
Whereas pure distaste came from a commenter stating: "That's disgusting never let her do that again," and another voicing their discomfort: "That's actually made me so uncomfortable."
So, how do you like to have your scone? Would you give this American method a go? Let us know in the comments.