Is it SKON or SKOAN?

I guess it depends on where you're from.  Some pronounce it like "gone", some pronounce it like "groan". In any case, this is one of the most well-known foods served at afternoon tea.  Personally, I like a scone for brekky with my morning coffee too, but that's not common here in the U.S. where most people go for a donut or a bagel.  It's believed that the word and the food originated in Scotland.  Not everybody agrees with that, however.  Here's a little bit of the history of the scone, and some really delish recipes.

On the origins of the scone:  from Food History: The History of Scones

This Scottish quick bread is said to have taken its name from the Stone of Destiny (or Scone), the place where Scottish kings were once crowned.  The original triangular-shaped scone was made with oats and griddle-baked. Today's versions are more often flour-based and baked in the oven. They come in various shapes including triangles, rounds, squares and diamonds.

Actually, Scone is the old location.  The Stone of Destiny isn't there anymore.  According to The Stone of Scone (reprinted from "The Highways and Byways of Central Scotland" by Seton Gordon (b. 1886)

A few miles up the river from Perth is the site of the historic Abbey of Scone, where the kings of Scotland were crowned. But the glory of Scone has long departed, for, even in the time of the writing of the old "Statistical Account"...."on the spot where our ancient kings were crowned there now grows a clump of trees." At Scone the Coronation Stone or Stone of Destiny was "reverently kept for the consecration of the kings of Alba" and, according to an old chronicler, "no king was ever wont to reign in Scotland unless he had first, on receiving the royal name, sat upon this stone at Scone, which by the kings of old had been appointed to the capital of Alba." The Stone of Destiny, now in Westminster Abbey (at the time this was written), is an oblong block of RED SANDSTONE, some 26 inches long by 16 inches broad, and 10 1/2 inches deep: on the flat top of the stone are the marks of chiselling.

Some folx think the word "scone" has nothing at all to do with the Stone.  Some say "scone" came from the Gaelic word "sgoon" and rhymed with "gone".  I can't seem to find any translation for the word sgoon, though.  Is it a gaelic secret?  Anybody?

Some folx think "scone" has nothing to do with Scotland at all.  According to Introduction to Scones:

Others believe the name is derived from the Dutch word "schoonbrot" meaning fine white bread or from the German word "sconbrot" meaning 'fine or beautiful bread'. 

Whatever the origins, there are about a gazillion recipes for scones and toppings and ways to serve them.  One of my favorites came from Food History: The History of Scones:

ORANGE POPPYSEED SCONES
Ingredients:
------------
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cups poppyseed
1 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup orange juice
1 large egg
1 tsp orange peel

Instructions:
-------------
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix all dry ingredientS together. Cut butter into flour mixture
until it resembles cornmeal.
3. Beat the egg slightly into the orange juice; add liquid mixture to
dry mix and gently shape dough into a ball.
4. Cut the ball in half, and pat each half out on a floured surface
into a circle about 1/2 inch thick, and 8 inches around. Cut into
wedges and place on a baking sheet.

Another favorite is the blueberry streusel scone shone in the photo here.  You can find the complete recipe and instructions here.

More scone recipes can be found at these sites:

* Traditional Scottish Recipes - Scones
* Introduction to Scones
* History.uk.com - Traditional Sussex Scones
* Food History: The History of Scones

Comments

[Agony.mous]

I love scones. Thanks for all the neat information

[yuk]

Just finished making a batch, 1st and last impression-
Must be "the stone of density" by default a Scotish thing. That was my very thought at the texture of this thing actually feels like rock or plaster board! Hate to think this is good breakfast food anywhere....
Glad I'm French! Gimme a doughnut, croissant,pastry or bagel any day. Heck Dorito's look good up against these things.

[Babette]

Apparently, the Gaelic for scone is sgonn arain. Sgonn means block or big slice and arain means bread.

thank you this was so helpful for my report

[Carolyn Altringer]

I am looking for a recipe for sweet potato scones which I had recently and they were soooooo good!!
Carolyn

[Jacqueline Meier]

I tried the orange poppy seed recipie for a tea party and i got so many compliments on it every one loved it and i did too! Thanks so much!2007

[Miriam Shaw]

Excellent article...and as enjoyable to read as it is to eat a scone and sip a cup of tea, coffee, or chocolate. All I hoped to learn was the history of scones, but I learned much more, and enjoyed every bite. Thank you!

[Sandra Maginnis]

"Is it a gaelic secret? Anybody?"

It is derived from the Gaelic word "SGON" which means "mass or large mouthful."

[Wendy]

The Gaelic word sgonn means "a shapeless mass or large mouthful" according to the Joy of Baking.

[kristina]

try marion cunningham's recipe for cream scones in "the breakfast book." it's lovely and delicious. i add dried cherries, orange zest and some chopped up bittersweet chocolate.

[Christine]

Hi Libby, That's good to know, thanks for your contribution to our knowledge pool. :))

[Libby Lamb]

Interested to read your 'is it skon or skoan'. In Scotland it is 'skon', but Scone near Perth is pronounced 'skoon'! The Stone of Destiny has now been returned to Scotland and is now in Edinburgh Castle.