Our history

It’s thought that the recipe for clotted cream is passed to the Cornish by Phoenician traders who visit the area in search of tin.

Eliza Jane and Thomas Rodda start making Cornish clotted cream in their farmhouse kitchen in Scorrier, near Redruth.

In the 1920s, Frances Rodda develops a clever technique for preserving clotted cream in glass jars. This means it can be transported all the way to London for the first time.

Stores such as Fortnum & Mason and Harrods put in big orders. But we only have 12 cows, so Willie Rodda buys raw cream from neighbouring farmers and brings it back to Scorrier… in his sidecar!

In the 1930s, our Cornish clotted cream becomes more than a little popular, so we buy some more Primus stoves and – despite not having running water or electricity – a small industry begins.

The Second World War begins and production stops because of rationing and the war effort.

From this date, we were permitted to make cream again, but only in the summer. We use the winter months to source glass jars from London and convert our shed into a production line. We also start breeding turkeys, which we feed skimmed milk – a by-product of making clotted cream. This makes the meat especially tender.

We introduce new and innovative hygiene standards to make sure our clotted cream stays fresher for longer than any of our competitors’.

We become the first company to use insulated packaging to send our clotted cream by post. Now customers could have their favourite cream delivered fresh to their doorstep.

We develop special individual portions for in-flight catering. We go on to supply our cream to over 90% of airlines that fly out of Heathrow, introducing the Cornish clotted cream tea to travellers from all over the world.

Cornish clotted cream is finally awarded PDO status. From now on, throughout the EU, for a product to be called ‘Cornish clotted cream’ it has to be made in Cornwall, to the traditional local method, using the exceptionally delicious Cornish milk.

Our clotted cream is chosen to be part of the last meal ever served on a Concorde flight from London.

Sponsorship of the LTA begins celebrating the great tradition of strawberries and Cornish clotted cream during tennis games

With HRH the Duke of Cornwall celebrating his 70th birthday the Rodda family were honoured to greet Prince Charles on the Rodda’s stand during the Royal Cornwall Show

Rodda’s is now enjoyed all over the world, in countries as varied as Dubai, Hong Kong, and Sweden. Here’s hoping that they know to put the cream on top of the jam!