Afternoon tea expert explains correct way to pronounce ‘scone’

A self-proclaimed afternoon tea expert has settled the debate on how to correctly pronounce ‘scone’ once and for all.

Jane Malyon, sixty-five, runs the English Cream Tea Company which sells afternoon tea hampers and in her career, has tasted hundreds of different teas, scones, and jam sandwiches.

But as well as being an expert on eating afternoon tea, Jane also claims to know the answer to the age-old debate of the pronunciation of ‘scone’.

While many people pronounce it as ‘scon’ – the late Queen Elizabeth II included – others believe it is pronounced how it is spelt; ‘scone’, like cone.

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Well, according to Jane, she personally opts to say ‘scone’, not ‘scon’.

Revealing that scone should rhyme with ‘cone’, she said: “My world is spent answering ‘scone’ vs ‘scon’.

“I say it like ‘cone’ personally but Her Majesty did always say ‘scon’. I think more people say ‘scone’ but the ones who say ‘scon’ swear they’re the only ones that say it right.

“Posh people definitely say ‘scon’, but ultimately both are valid.”

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Jane also explained why she puts cream on the scone first.

She said: “I do cream first – but I’m fickle, I feel drawn to putting the dairy on first, but the fierce side come out fighting for jam first. If you say cream first, they’re all over you like a rash.”

She also suggested that 1pm is the ideal time for a spot of afternoon tea, adding that many people treat it as a snack rather than a meal.

Jane added: “It’s not just about the food and drink, but sitting down with others and taking a break from the craziness of life. It’s about giving each other your time and attention. Pouring each other’s tea, offering round jam tarts, it’s about consideration and niceness rather than just your own plate.

“There’s no other meal like it.”