Jam first or cream? The Ely way of eating scones causes a stir on social media

Jam first or cream? The Ely way of eating scones causes a stir on social media. Picture: 11a Forehill (Image: Archant)

New bar in the city, 11a Forehill, launched an online post to decide what the ‘Ely way’ of eating scones is and whether jam or cream is smothered on first.

More than 100 comments were received from residents with ‘jam first’ being the winner.

Ben Rourke, from the 11a Forehill, said that the idea came about after people would always comment on their posts when they’d advertise their afternoon teas.

“Whenever we posted our afternoon teas on social media, we always had mini-debates popping up in the comments about whether the scones should have jam or cream first,” he said.

“Subsequently, we decided that a fun and exciting post would be asking the community of Ely which they thought should go first and decide the ‘Ely way’ of eating scones.

“We got a great response with well over 100 comments, organically.

“In the end, the residents of Ely and the surrounding area crowned ‘Jam first’ as the ‘Ely way’ of eating scones. It was just under a 2:1 ratio of jam first votes to cream first votes.”

He added: “It was something that people got involved in and is a little bit of fun in the town for people to engage with and discuss.”

The debate got people fired up on social media, with several sharing the post and joining in the debate.

Jenny Penna said: “Always jam first because then you can get more cream on top.”

However, Andrew Macdonald, said: “It’s cream first, the Cornish way. It’s a fat, think of it as a replacement for butter. Butter first then jam. See the logic.”

Mary Hancock added: “Devon says cream first, and no butter. But actually it doesn’t matter - how ever you like it, enjoy eating it.”

Having launched back in December last year, 11a has continued to grow and now hosts a Saturday late night music events and a new cocktail range with retro sweets.