At least once every morning in almost any coffee shop, some sleepy guest gets to the front of the line and simply asks for "coffee."
Naturally, they'll get a few follow-up questions. Drip or espresso? Hot or iced? Sweetened or straight up?
Scones, on the other hand, are different.
At Hansa Coffee Roasters, it's surprisingly common for someone to walk in and order "scone." No drink. No hesitation. Just "scone."
Of course, we help them narrow it down to the day's flavors, but we've always loved what that says about our bakery. We believe the pastry should be every bit as memorable as the coffee.
Rethinking the Scone
For a lot of people, the word scone brings to mind something dry, dense, and crumbly.
There are plenty of different styles of scones, and plenty of people who enjoy them just that way. At Hansa, though, we've always gravitated toward a different style.
We love a scone with a lightly crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, tender interior. Buttery without feeling heavy, moist without feeling underbaked, and sturdy enough to hold together while still pulling apart in delicate layers.
That texture doesn't happen by accident.
It Starts With Cold Butter
We believe all great food and drink begin with great ingredients. Real butter, quality flour, fresh dairy, seasonal fruit, and carefully selected mix-ins all play a role in creating the flavor and texture we're after.
What makes a scone flaky, though, is the temperature of the butter.
When butter stays cold while the dough is mixed, tiny pieces remain scattered throughout the dough. As the scones bake, the water naturally found in butter turns to steam, gently lifting the dough and creating those tender, flaky layers.
That steam is what gives our scones their flaky, layered texture.
If the butter gets too warm before baking, it blends completely into the dough. The result is a more uniform texture without the same lift or delicate layers.
It's a small detail, but it's one that makes a remarkable difference.
Whether you're reaching for an indulgent chocolate chip scone or one of our seasonal favorites, our goal is always the same: a scone that's flavorful enough to enjoy on its own. Judging by how often someone walks in and simply orders "scone," we'd like to think we're on the right track.
