Scones and Clotted Cream=HEAVEN

 

If you haven’t noticed by now, food on this trip is a pretty big deal for me.  It might have a little to do with the fact that since we’ve lived in the BVI we’ve met a ton of British crew, who’ve taught us the ins and outs of English eating.  So before we head out of London, there are a few things we must have while here: a good pint (or two!): check.  Beef pie, check.  Fish and chips, check. English breakfast, and tea.  Hmmm…

We have about 4 hours before we need to be on a plane for Barcelona, and we still have a major food item we need to take on before we leave.  Granted, we’ll be back for another two days at the end of the week, so are we really in the mood for such a filling breakfast now?

My first thought was no.  I thought having a French pastry at the charming little pastisserie not far from our hotel sounded like a much better idea for that particular moment.  So we head that way, intentions clear on a croissant and cappuccino.

Until I read on the menu, “English scone with clotted cream and jam.”

BINGO.

For those of you not in the know, an English scone is a wee bit different than our American scones.  Yes, they are both very crumbly and delicious.  But English scones are traditionally served warm and are usually fruit-based.  And the major difference between English vs. American scones: the English serve theirs with jam and clotted cream.

To further our education lesson in English scone-eating, clotted cream is a heavy cream that has been, er, well, clotted for lack of a better word, making it thick and creamy, similar in texture to butter or cream cheese.  But it doesn’t taste like cream cheese.  Rather it tastes mildly sweet, almost so mild you barely notice it, but adds such a wonderful compliment to the crumbly, buttery scone.  Top it with a little jam and you’ve got yourself a little moment of unadulterated pastry bliss.

You could say that I fell in love, right then and there.  Of course I’ve had my share of scones.  I’ve even had my share of muffins with jam (something I never really knew about until my non-American friends showed me the way).  But taking in an English scone, complete with clotted cream and raspberry jam and side of a gorgeously frothy cappuccino, I think it’s safe to say my day was made.

Next stop, BARCELONA!!!!