British Scones & American Biscuits

Enough arguments about scones and biscuits, I have decided today to go online searching the differences between scones and biscuits. So pulling conclusions from some threads and wikipedia, here I have got some result.

Appearance Wise

British scones are typically cut into quarters. Round-shaped British scones resembles North American biscuits in appearance.

Ingredients Wise
Scone uses butter and either cream or soured/plain milk, while biscuits use either shortening or lard and buttermilk or plain milk.


Texture Wise
Scones rely on cold butter for their delicate, flaky texture, while biscuits are often made with shortening and are crumbly rather than flaky.

Taste Wise
Scones are usually sweet that comes with fruits while Biscuits are less sweet more savoury which have things like cheese, bacon, onions/scallions and sometimes ham in them.

Usage
British scones are served with coffee and tea or as a dessert, biscuits are served more as a side bread often with breakfast.

Seems like they are only similar in the appearances. Came to think about, most fast food restaurant like KFC and Popeyes usually have a biscuit along with their combos especially at breakfast, while British scones are usually seen in high tea enjoyment. When I read to the point where it says scones are more flakey while biscuits are more crumble, I literally could not imagine that. I guess I have to taste the two products at the same time to distinguish flakey over crumbly.