Costa Coffee has returned scones to its menu for the first time in more than five years.

The coffee chain has launched an Afternoon Bundle featuring a regular hot or iced drink alongside a scone served with jam and cream.

Prices start from £6.49 at selected stores, with the offer available until 21 October 2026.

The scones will be sold across more than 1,000 Costa locations.

To support the launch, Costa has also created a promotional “50/50 scone” featuring jam and cream piped simultaneously through a specially designed dual piping bag.

The concept is intended to offer a compromise between the Cornish tradition of applying jam first and the Devon method of adding cream before jam.

The first dual-swirl scone was served to the mayors of Saltash and Kingsbridge at Costa’s Saltash store, close to the border between Devon and Cornwall.

Costa global head of food Andrea Stewart said: “Our research shows Britain remains divided when it comes to how people top their scones, so we thought it was about time someone brought both sides together.

“Rather than choosing between two much-loved traditions, we wanted to create a playful compromise that celebrates both approaches and gives everyone a way to enjoy their cream tea.”

Research commissioned by Costa found that 71 per cent of consumers believed jam should be added first, while 29 per cent favoured cream first.

Almost four in 10 respondents said they had judged someone for assembling a scone in the “wrong” order, while one in five had refused to eat one prepared in a way they disagreed with.

The survey also found that 52 per cent of younger consumers believed cream teas were finding a new audience online.

Other traditional products and pastimes said to be enjoying renewed interest included picnic baskets, Victoria sponge cakes, floral summer dresses and afternoon tea in the garden.

Costa said the campaign was designed to capitalise on growing consumer interest in nostalgic British food and drink occasions.

The coffee chain’s research found that 53 per cent of younger consumers associated traditional pastimes with simpler times, while 47 per cent believed they made everyday life more enjoyable.

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