Devonshire cream must be made in Devon, England, using Devon dairy cows. Factors such as price, freshness, and treatment of dairy herds should be considered when choosing a cream. The manufacturing process is consistent, and color does not affect flavor. Research agricultural policies before making a choice.
The most important part of choosing Devonshire cream is ensuring that the cream is actually made in Devon, a county in the southwestern corner of England. Produced elsewhere, the product is simply known as “clotted cream.” Even within Devon, however, there are many different cream makers. Most products are similar, but factors such as price, freshness and treatment of the dairy herds are all factors to consider when making your selection.
Clotted cream is usually easy to find in grocery and tea shops throughout the UK and in import and specialty shops elsewhere in the world. Clotted cream is a hugely popular aspect of British cuisine and is a staple of traditional English cream tea. All Devonshire creams are clotted creams, but not all clotted creams can be labeled “Devonshire.” The Devon designation may only be used if the clotted cream is actually produced in the county of Devon, using Devon dairy cows fed on Devon grasses.
Choosing the best Devonshire cream is usually a matter of weighing your options and deciding which factors are most important to you. There are many small farms throughout the county that contribute to the supply. The region is also home to a number of major commercial producers who sell Devonshire cream in large quantities both in the UK and overseas.
With few exceptions, the manufacturing process for Devon Cream is consistent, regardless of the manufacturer. Bakeries heat fresh milk, then let it sit for a set amount of time to allow the natural cream to separate. The “lumps” that form on top of the milk are then strained and packaged for use. The quality of the milk is, in most cases, the only variable.
Devonshire cream ranges in color from off-white to deep yellow. The yellow colored cream is usually the result of vitamin-rich herbs and grains consumed by dairy cows. Color can also sometimes be related to the breed of the cow, as well as the overall health of the cow. Some Epicureans find a slight difference in taste based on color, but for the most part, hue doesn’t affect overall flavor and richness.
If product manufacturing ethics concern you, you should look into agricultural policies before making your choice of Devonshire cream. Different farms have different practices regarding the treatment of dairy cows, the pasteurization of cream, the cleaning of bakery facilities and the integrity of packaging. Most creams will share any information if asked, although it’s also often a good idea to research the issues you care about with objective outside sources as well.
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