Storm in a Tea Cup

A Devon farmer attempted to gain European protection for the term ‘Devon cream tea’, but residents of neighbouring Cornwall, claims that their county invented the concept.

Paul Winterton, who is general manager of Langage farm in Plymouth, claimed that he has the interests of customers at heart: I feel people are being short-changed…with an excellent food like the Devon cream tea, you need to know its origin.”

If he wins, only teas produced, processed or prepared in Devon could claim to be cream teas, in the same way that Cheddar cheese must come from the Somerset town.

Mike Pearce of Cornishcream.com responded, saying: “There is only one cream tea, and that’s the Cornish cream tea. The application should be thrown out.” The precise geographical origin of the cream is much contested in the region, as is the way to serve it.”