The latest exchange in the great "jam or cream first" on scones debate means bad news for Devon. Traditional cream tea in Cornwall consists of putting the jam on first, while in neighbouring Devon it's always cream first - and the late Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy hers the Devonian way.

But a new poll by Costa has found most Britons prefer it Cornish-style. A resounding 71% insist the jam should go first, while a resolute 29% argued for cream.

The cream tea is currently enjoying a big revival, with 52% of younger Brits saying it is finding a new audience on TikTok. A third of Brits admit they have "strong feelings" about the order of the cream vs jam, with 36% adamant they apply cream and jam in the "correct" way. And the research also found that 55% pronounce "scone" to rhyme with "gone", while 45% say it rhymes with "bone".

Coffee chain Costa has waded into the debate by creating a half-and-half scone, on which jam and cream are piped together, using a special dual bag. To mark the occasion, the first dual-swirl scone was served to the mayors of Saltash, in Cornwall, and Kingsbridge, Devon - Brian Stoyel and Julia Wingate - at the Saltash store.

Councilor Brian Stoyel, Mayor of Saltash said: “We're proud that Saltash has become the home of Britain's latest chapter in the great scone debate.

"The beauty of Costa's 50/50 scone is that it celebrates both traditions rather than choosing between them. After trying it for myself, I can confirm it's every bit as delicious as it sounds - proof that sometimes, bringing people together is even better than settling the argument.”

Andrea Stewart, Global Head of Food at Costa said: "Our research shows Britain remains divided when it comes to how people top their scones, so we thought it was about time someone brought both sides together. Rather than choosing between two much-loved traditions, we wanted to create a playful compromise that celebrates both approaches and gives everyone a way to enjoy their cream tea.

“And we couldn't think of a more fitting place to launch the dual-swirl than Saltash, sitting right on the Devon-Cornwall border.”

According to the poll findings, almost four in ten (37%) admit they've judged someone for doing it the ‘wrong’ way, while 20% say they have, and would, refuse to eat a scone that wasn't assembled correctly.

One in five (22%) go a step further and say they've got into a heated debate with a friend, with 19% admitting they are in a relationship with someone who disagrees with the way they top their scone - highlighting just how seriously some take the nation's favourite teatime treat.

And the rows don't stop with the toppings, the research also found that 55% pronounce "scone" to rhyme with "gone", while 45% say it rhymes with "bone".

One in three (36%) have silently judged someone over their pronunciation, with 37% unable to hold it in so much that they ended up correcting them.

Despite the long-running feud, there are signs Britain may finally be ready to call a truce, with 57% saying they'd welcome a compromise that lets everyone enjoy their scone their own way and 79% agreeing that the traditional cream tea is a Great British food classic.

Whether you're Team Jam or Team Cream, customers can once again enjoy Costa Coffee's much-loved scones, returning to the menu for the first time in more than five years. Available in more than 1,000 stores, customers can also tuck into the new Afternoon Bundle*, featuring a regular hot or iced drink and a scone served with jam and cream, from just £6.49 in selected stores until October 21, 2026.