All About Scones: One of the World's Most Popular Foods

Today, scones are served in homes, coffee houses, tea clubs, and hotels around the world. As the scone has spread geographically, new variations have also arisen. However, the morning treat has always stayed true to its original form.

The first mention of a scone dates all the way back to the early 16^th century. In its earliest form, the scone resembled a small triangular biscuit. It was made from unleavened oats and baked on a griddle, rather than in an oven. As such, it took the form of a round disk that was then cut into individual portions. Scones were traditionally part of the tea meal and were especially popular among the upper tiers of society.

Today, scones are traditionally made from wheat, barley, or oatmeal. However, they are no longer unleavened. Since the invention of baking powder, scones have been cooked using this ingredient. They are now heated in an oven, rather than on a griddle, which allows the bread time to rise. The institution of oven baking has also allowed the scone to take varied shapes, including circles and squares in addition to the traditional triangle. Some people do still enjoy traditional scones fried on a griddle, though, and these are especially popular in New Zealand.

As more and more people started to enjoy scones, the flavors of this food have taken on new forms. Traditionally, scones were only lightly sweetened. Now, though, they can include a variety of flavors and fillings. Some popular additions include raisins, currants, onions, and cheese. A lot of commercial coffee establishments have even turned scones into virtual deserts by adding chocolate chips, icing, and cream. Depending where you travel, you may find some very unique scones. For example, pumpkin scones are quite popular in Australia. There are even places that have adopted floral scone flavors, like rose, jasmine, and orange blossom.

The scone's popularity continues to increase worldwide. In Britain alone there has been a reported 9% increase in scone sales over the last five years. Scones can be purchased from a bakery, baked from scratch, or made simply using a prepackaged scone mix. They are usually enjoyed with coffee or tea, but can also be enjoyed when dunked in milk.

Ultimately, scones are one of the top-selling pastries around the world. Thanks to globalization, you can now find scones in almost every color, shape, and flavor you can imagine. Despite their varied forms, they can still be identified by their crusty coating and savory texture. Remember, the best scones are still those prepared at home, from scratch. But, if you don't have time for baking, a short trip to your local grocery store, bakery, or even fast-food coffee house will likely present you with many scone buying opportunities.