Scones are traditionally Irish, Scottish, and English foods. However, nobody knows which of these countries invented the baked food. As far as history can trace back, Scones probably originate from Scotland. Yes, the first print reference dates back to 1513 and is from a Scottish poet.
Scones are thought to have originated in Scotland in the early 1500s and the first known print reference was made by a Scottish poet in 1513.
Scones originate from the Scottish 'bannock', which is derived from the Gaelic for cake and made using a thin, round, flat combination of oats and wheat flour.
British scones tend to be lightly sweetened with fruits and sometimes cheese, while Scottish scones tend to be more savory like soda scones or potato scones, and some are even still fried on a griddle to complete a Scottish breakfast.
If you're in the USA, however, a 'biscuit' is what Australians and the English may refer to as a scone. American biscuits are usually enjoyed as part of a savoury meal, served with meat and gravy.
In Scotland and Ulster, savoury varieties of scone include soda scones, also known as soda farls, sour dough scones known as soor dook scones made with sour milk, and potato scones, normally known as tattie scones, which resemble small, thin savoury pancakes made with potato flour.
Scones are traditionally Irish, Scottish, and English foods. However, nobody knows which of these countries invented the baked food. As far as history can trace back, Scones probably originate from Scotland. Yes, the first print reference dates back to 1513 and is from a Scottish poet.
The Stone's Origins
Some people suggest that it was Jacob's Pillow, brought from the Holy Land, via Spain, Ireland and the West of Scotland, to arrive at Scone in the 9th century. Others believe it may have been a royal stone belonging to the Scots from Antrim, or the Picts from the north-east.
Americans are the outlier on how we use "biscuit"
They are close to what the British would call scones. But American scones are different, because nothing about this is uncomplicated. To most of the rest of the English-speaking world, a biscuit is what Americans would refer to as either a cookie or a cracker.
In the 12th century, various foreign influences prompted the Scottish kings to transform Scone into a more convincing royal centre. Many historians have argued that the monastery or priory was founded specifically in 1114 by Alexander I of Scotland.
Scones are connected traditionally with England, Scotland, and Ireland, but nobody knows which country invented it. However, the first known mention of a scone that was printed is from the translation of The Aenaid (1513) written by a Scottish poet named Gavin Douglas.
Scone, town, eastern New South Wales, Australia.
Very little is known about them, but by choosing to settle at Scone, they ensured its future as a place of religious significance, and therefore, a place befitting the crowning of kings. By the 12th century, Scone had confirmed its status as a site of Christian importance.
Those who rhyme with cone dominate in southern Ireland and the Midlands. The rest of the country is a mixture of the two pronunciations. And, just to complicate the matter, there is a third pronunciation available for the word – in the form of the village of Scone in Scotland, which is pronounced “skoon”.
The Stone of Destiny — a 150-kilogram chunk of sandstone, also known as the Stone of Scone — has a long and fraught history. It was used for the coronation of Scottish kings for generations before it was seized by the English as a spoil of war in 1296, then officially returned to Scotland centuries later in 1996.
From the Holy Land it purportedly traveled to Egypt, Sicily, and Spain and reached Ireland about 700 bce to be set upon the hill of Tara, where the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned. Thence it was taken by the Celtic Scots who invaded and occupied Scotland.
After the stone was brought to England, it was used during the coronations of British monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth's crowning in 1953.
In Ireland scones are traditionally served with butter, jam or a clotted cream, which is similar to whipped cream but not as sweet. It is suggested you eat Isih scones warm, right out of the oven, or heat them before eating.
Scone (UK) / Biscuit (US)
American do have things called biscuits too, but they are something completely different. These are the crumbly cakes that British people call scones, which you eat with butter, jam, sometimes clotted cream and always a cup of tea.
Shortbread or shortie is a traditional Scottish biscuit usually made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour. Shortbread does not contain any leavening, such as baking powder or baking soda.
“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.”