London Tea Time Special: Shortbread war

The sis had a field day in London without me and being the sweetest soul she is, she lugged back part of the gloomy skied- jubilee insaned part of the world for me. I suppose I must have brainwashed her pretty well – that a country needs to be experienced through food, particularly via a food trail. Here’s the first in the series of London snacks-eats-to lug back – shortbread.

I have never been a fan of Walker’s shortbread. Deemed them too pungent (as much as I love my blue cheeses, butter is not my kind of fragrant…ever) and the texture lacked bite hence I usually do not include them in my tea platter of cookies. Originating from Scotland, this tea time treat is made mainly of: flour, sugar, and butter.

Yorkshire Shortbread Tray, £3.60

Betty’s

The “fragrance” is unmistakable. Disintegrates at a flick of a tongue into a buttery paste which I found a bit too much at the start but grew to love it by the last crumb. Established in 1919, this old school confectionery has quite a tale to tell about its name so do read about it! 

Harrod’s, £12.50

This came in a signature teddy tin that would double up as a piggy bank ornament. Way less buttery than Betty’s and infact really commercialised. This was easy on the palette and well, almost like an ordinary butter cookie.

 



To commemorate the Queen's Jubilee, Mark's and Spencers came up with a specially designed tin!


 

 £5 for four layers of these floral shaped butter shortbread.



My favourite of the lot without being too bland nor rich. Dusted with sugar crystals, there was an added crunch to the texture.