We tested scones – which ones were truly scrumptious?

Indeed, plain scones are normally the centrepiece of a traditional British afternoon tea.

I’m a big fan of scones, especially those served at National Trust properties. The best of those in my, albeit limited, experience was a few years ago at Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire: freshly baked, I can still taste it in my mind – soft, light and truly scrumptious.

Scones are a type of quick bread primarily made from a few basic staples: flour, butter (or an alternative fat), a leavening agent like baking powder, and a liquid such as milk, buttermilk, or heavy cream. The fruit version commonly contains either sultanas, currants or raisins.

Scones originated in Scotland in the early 1500s as oat-based flatbreads cooked over open fires. They evolved into the beloved baked treats we know today during the Victorian era when the Duchess of Bedford popularised afternoon tea, turning the scone into an essential teatime staple.

My mum’s homemade scones, which regularly graced our tea table, were fabulous – big and fluffy with a firm top, they were delicious, whether with jam, with butter, or on their own.

More than a year has passed since I last ate a scone, when invited to a friend’s house one afternoon. It was yummy, but scones have not crossed my path since.

So, in the season of afternoon teas, I was keen to try out a selection of plain scones from leading supermarkets. Here’s what I thought.

*Specially selected 4 All Butter Scones, Aldi, £1.49

These scones were uniform in shape, with a golden brown top. They were moist and light in texture, and had a pleasing buttery taste. I could imagine them being perfect with jam and cream. A really good price for four.

Pros: appearance, texture, taste, price.

Cons: none.

Mark: 4/5

*Exceptional 4 All Butter Scones by Asda, £2.06

These were a decent size and shape, but otherwise they were disappointing. Inside they felt quite dense and heavy. When chewing the dough felt a little sticky in my mouth. It tasted bready rather than buttery. More expensive than some.

Pros: appearance.

Cons: texture, taste, price.

Mark: 2/5

Taste the Difference Clotted Cream Scones from Sainsbury’s

Morrisons The Best Plain Scones

Lidl’s Deluxe All Butter Scones

Tesco Finest All Butter Scones

*M&S Food 4 Plain Scones, All Butter, £2.20

Not very appetising to look at – quite flat with a leathery-looking top. These were doughy in texture and were claggy in my mouth. The taste was that of a very basic, cheap scone, yet these were the most expensive of the selection. If I had made these myself I would think they needed longer in the oven.

Pros: none

Cons: appearance, texture, taste, price.

Mark: 1/5

*Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 4 Clotted Cream Scones, using an all butter recipe, £2.10

A nice shape and a light, fluffy texture inside. I couldn’t detect a buttery taste, but I did enjoy the scone. They are clearly popular as I had to go to the store three times due to them selling out. More costly than most others.

Pros: texture, taste.

Cons: taste (not buttery), price.

Mark: 3/5

*Lidl Deluxe 4 All Butter Scones, £1.49

A decent appearance and size, but these were very crumbly. They broke up easily, so much so that it was hard to put a reasonably-sized piece in my mouth without it falling apart – I ended up with bits all over the plate, and on my lap. The scone had a nice buttery taste but it was quite dry, which explained the crumbs. A good price.

Pros: taste, price.

Cons: consistency, texture.

Mark: 2/5

M&S Plain Scones

Asda Exceptional All Butter Scones

Aldi Specially Selected All Butter Scones

*Tesco 4 Finest All Butter Scones, £2.10 (£1.55 with Tesco Clubcard)

A decent size and shape, with a golden brown top, these had a lovely fluffy texture and a really nice buttery taste. They were soft in the mouth and would be delicious with jam and cream. A good price too, with the Clubcard. Top marks.

Pros: texture, taste, price (with Clubcard).

Cons: none

Mark: 5/5

Morrisons The Best 4 Plain Scones, £2

I tried to buy Morrisons The Best All Butter Clotted Cream Scones, but they were not in stock at either of the two supermarkets I visited on more than one occasion, and nobody could tell me when they would arrive. So I tried these, and they didn’t disappoint. With their rounded bun-like shape they looked unconventional, but had a lovely light, fluffy texture and tasted good.

Pros: texture, taste.

Cons: some may not like the bun look.

Mark: 4/5