If you’ve grown up in Scotland then the chances are that you see Scottish tablet as the sweet treat comfort food that has the power to fix all frowns. In fact, even if you haven’t grown up in Scotland but you’re lucky enough to have a Scottish granny, the chances are you feel the same way.
We realised that we don’t actually know that much about the origins of tablet though, so we decided to do some digging on your behalf. And some sampling too, obviously.
What is Scottish tablet?
Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture. We realised that ‘grainier’ and ‘more brittle’ don’t usually sound like positives but in this case they most definitely are!
Tablet is usually made with condensed milk, butter and sugar. James Morton has a delicious recipe for tablet on our website.
What are the origins of tablet?
While we can’t be sure exactly when tablet was first produced in Scotland and who came up with the recipe, evidence does suggest that it goes back to at least the early 1700s. A book from this time, The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie mentions it, though at this time the recipe used sugar and cream.
Of course, since then, tablet has gone on to be immortalised by another Scottish culinary ‘influencer’, Maw Broon!
Is tablet made anywhere else outside of Scotland?
You may occasionally hear of tablet being called ‘Swiss Milk tablet’ but don’t worry – this doesn’t mean that tablet’s origins lie closer to The Alps. The ‘Swiss Milk’ part refers to a name that condensed milk is sometimes known by.
However, there are some recipes close to tablet that are traditional to other countries. Sucre à la crème is a popular sweet creation in Quebec, Canada. However, it does tend to be produced using cream and brown sugar rather than condensed milk and white sugar.
Latin America also has a version of tablet, Dulce de Leche en Tabla, while in the Netherlands there’s something close to it called Borstplaat. The latter can also be made using water rather than cream or condensed milk though – something that sounds like heresy to us at the dairy!
Making your own tablet
However you enjoy your tablet – and whether you keep it simple or add a nip of whisky or a sprinkling of nuts to it – we think you’ll find that our butter makes for a perfect batch.
We love tablet so much, we even decided to add it to our award-winning ice-cream range. Our Scottish Tablet and Vanilla ice-cream can be found in Tesco, Asda and Scotmid throughout Scotland and it’s delicious!
FAQs
Tablet is over 50% sugar and because sugar is a natural preservative, it means that if it is kept in an airtight tin and stored at room temperature, it can last for around 10 days. If you keep it in the fridge, however, it can keep for a few weeks!
What is the difference between Scottish tablet and fudge? ›
There are two main differences the first is the sugar:fat ratios. Scottish Tablet is higher in sugar and Fudge is higher in fat. The second difference is the temperature they are cooked to. Fudge doesn't need to be cooked to as high a temperature as Scottish Tablet.
Does Scottish tablet contain milk? ›
Ingredients: Scottish tablet is typically made with sugar, condensed milk, butter, and sometimes vanilla extract. Scottish fudge, on the other hand, often contains sugar, butter, cream, and milk, and may also include flavours such as chocolate or nuts.
What does tablet mean in Scotland? ›
Tablet (taiblet in Scots) is a medium-hard, sugary confection from Scotland. Tablet is usually made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It is often flavoured with vanilla and sometimes has nut pieces in it.
Why is my Scottish tablet not hardening? ›
Why Is My Scottish Tablet Not Setting? If your Scottish tablet isn't setting up, the reason likely has to do with temperature. The mixture must be brought up to a full boil for five minutes and reach 250 F before simmering.
Can I reboil a Scottish tablet? ›
If you pour it into the tin and it doesn't set, don't worry, just reboil for a little while longer (I've done this a few times) Also good with a bit of fresh ginger added at the beginning, flavours the tablet beautifully and leaves little exciting nuggets to bite into!
Why is my Scottish tablet grainy? ›
If your Tablet is excessively grainy and doesn't melt in your mouth, you may need to cook a little longer during the first step to ensure that the sugar melts completely before adding the remaining ingredients.
Can you freeze a Scottish tablet? ›
Storing Scottish Tablet
It should last for up to 2 weeks given the sugar acts as a preserver, so it's great to make ahead for a party or as a gift. You can also freeze Scottish Tablet for up to a few months. Thaw completely before eating.
What does a Scottish tablet taste like? ›
Think the sweetest fudge you've ever had, without the vanilla flavour, but more of a crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth texture. And multiple the sweetness by about a hundred. Then you're pretty close to what tablet tastes like!
What is a Scottish child called? ›
Bairn is a Northern England English, Scottish English and Scots term for a child. It originated in Old English as "bearn", becoming restricted to Scotland and the North of England c. 1700. In Hull the r is dropped and the word Bain is used.
Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.
What is the shelf life of Scottish tablets? ›
And with a shelf life of 5 to 8 weeks, you can savour its unique flavour for a good while. And as for the ingredients, there's no messing about.
What is the average life of a tablet? ›
For example, Android tablets typically only receive three years on average, while XPPen tablets receive 4 to 5 years. The software lifespan of a drawing tablet is an important aspect to consider, as no matter how well you care for your device, it will eventually become outdated and unable to perform.
Is a Scottish tablet supposed to be grainy? ›
The best Scottish Tablet should be smooth and melt in your mouth. A grainy texture normally means that your sugar has melted too quickly. So if you'd prefer it to be a little smoother then it's down to beating. Give it a little more elbow grease!
Can a tablet last 5 years? ›
The touchscreen can become less responsive or even wear out entirely as time passes. Solid, reliable hardware increases the lifespan of the tablet. So, how many years does a tablet last? With Samsung, you can expect at least five years of use with proper care.
