What do British call biscuits – If you’re from the UK, you might be familiar with the term ‘biscuit’, which is a type of delicious baked good that’s perfect for dunking in your tea. But did you know that ‘biscuit’ means something different in other parts of the world? In America, for example, ‘biscuit’ refers to something more like a scone. So, what do British people mean when they talk about biscuits? Let’s explore the different types of biscuits that you might come across in the UK, and why they’re so popular among tea drinkers and snack enthusiasts alike.
1. Biscuits vs Cookies
Although many Americans use the terms “biscuits” and “cookies” interchangeably, in the United Kingdom, these terms have distinct meanings. In the UK, biscuits typically refer to small, crispy, round or oval-shaped snacks that are often served with tea, while cookies tend to be larger, softer, and chewier than biscuits.
2. Digestives
One of the most popular types of biscuits in the UK is the digestive. These plain, slightly sweet biscuits are made with wholemeal flour and are often eaten with cheese or dunked into tea. They also make a great base for cheesecake crusts.
3. Jammie Dodgers
Jammie Dodgers are another favorite biscuit in the UK. These small, circular biscuits consist of two shortbread layers with a jam filling in the middle. They are a great snack for children and adults alike.
4. Hobnobs
Hobnobs are a type of oat biscuit that is popular in the UK. They have a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor, and they are often eaten with tea or coffee. Some people even use them in recipes for crumbles or cheesecake bases.
5. Rich Tea Biscuits
Rich Tea Biscuits are another classic biscuit in the UK. These thin, crispy biscuits have a light and delicate texture and a slightly sweet taste. They are often served as a palette cleanser with tea or coffee.
6. Custard Creams
Custard Creams are a type of sandwich biscuit that is popular in the UK. They consist of two layers of vanilla-flavored biscuit with a custard cream filling in the middle. They are often enjoyed with tea or coffee and make a great snack for kids.
7. Shortbread
Shortbread is a rich, buttery biscuit that originated in Scotland. It is made with butter, sugar, and flour, and it has a crumbly texture. Shortbread is often eaten alone, but it can also be used in recipes for desserts like tarts or truffles.
8. Bourbons
Bourbons are a type of sandwich biscuit that is similar to Oreos. They consist of two chocolate biscuits with chocolate buttercream filling in the middle. They are a great snack for kids and adults alike.
9. Ginger Nuts
Ginger Nuts are a type of biscuit that is made with ginger and other spices. They have a crunchy texture and a spicy flavor, and they are often eaten with tea or coffee. Ginger Nuts are also a great ingredient in recipes for gingerbread or cheesecake crusts.
10. Garibaldi Biscuits
Garibaldi Biscuits are a type of fruit biscuit that is popular in the UK. They consist of two layers of crispy biscuit with a filling of currants in the middle. Garibaldi Biscuits are often eaten as a snack or used in recipes for desserts like trifle.
In conclusion, there are many different types of biscuits in the UK, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Whether you prefer plain and simple biscuits like Rich Tea or more flavorful varieties like Hobnobs or Bourbons, there’s a biscuit out there for everyone.
What are Biscuits?
Before we get into the details about what British people call biscuits, let’s first understand what exactly biscuits are. Biscuits are baked goods that are small and round, crispy and crunchy in texture. They are made using flour, sugar, butter, and other ingredients such as nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, etc.
Biscuits can be eaten as a snack or a dessert, and they are quite popular across the world, including the UK. In America, biscuits are similar to scones, but in the UK, they are entirely different. So, what do the British call biscuits? Let’s find out!
The Classic British Biscuits
When you think of biscuits in the UK, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the classic British biscuits. These biscuits have been popular for generations and are available in almost every British household. Here are some of the classic British biscuits:
Digestive Biscuits
Digestive biscuits are arguably the most popular biscuits in the UK, and they are a household staple. These biscuits are made from wholemeal flour and are slightly sweet. They are usually served with tea, and many people love to dunk them in their tea before eating them.
Custard Creams
Custard creams are another popular biscuit in the UK, and they are often served at tea-time. These biscuits have a creamy vanilla filling sandwiched between two shortbread biscuits. They are a classic British favorite and are enjoyed by both adults and children.
Jammie Dodgers
Jammie Dodgers are a jam-filled biscuit that is a favorite among children in the UK. They are made from two shortbread biscuits with a layer of raspberry jam in the middle. These biscuits are popular for their unique shape and bright red jam filling.
Duchy Originals
Duchy Originals are a collection of organic biscuits that are quite popular in the UK. These biscuits are marketed as a premium brand and are made from high-quality ingredients. They have a unique texture and taste and are a favorite among those who love organic food.
The Other Names for Biscuits in the UK
While the classic British biscuits are popular, there are other types of biscuits in the UK that are known by different names. Here are some examples of biscuits with different names:
Cookies
In the UK, cookies are known as “American-style cookies.” These cookies are usually larger than the traditional British biscuits and are made using soft dough. They are often packed with chocolate chips or nuts and are a favorite among those with a sweet tooth.
Cakes
In the UK, some biscuits are known as “cakes.” This is because they are sweeter, softer, and have a more crumbly texture than the traditional biscuits. Jaffa Cakes, for example, are small round cakes with a layer of orange jelly and chocolate on top.
Biscotti
Biscotti is an Italian biscuit that is popular in the UK. These biscuits are twice-baked, making them hard and crispy. They are usually flavored with nuts and spices and are often enjoyed with coffee.
Scones
While scones are not technically biscuits, they are often served alongside biscuits at tea-time in the UK. Scones are baked goods that are similar to a dense, crumbly bread. They can be served with jam and clotted cream and are a British favorite.
Crisps
While not a biscuit at all, crisps are called chips in America. In the UK, they are called crisps. They are thin, fried slices of potato that are usually flavored with salt, vinegar, or other seasoning. They are a popular snack food in the UK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while biscuits may have different names in different parts of the world, they are a beloved baked good that continues to be popular across the globe. The UK has its unique and classic biscuits, along with other types of biscuits that are known by different names. Regardless of what you call them, biscuits remain a favorite snack and dessert food for many people.
Popular Biscuits in Britain
Britain is famous for its love of biscuits, with many brands and varieties to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
Digestives
Digestives are a classic British biscuit made with wheat flour, wholemeal flour, sugar, vegetable oil and malt extract. They are often eaten with a cup of tea or coffee. Digestive biscuits got their name because it was believed that they helped with digestion due to their high fiber content.
McVitie’s Digestive
McVitie’s Digestive is one of the most popular brands of digestive biscuits in Britain. They are loved for their nutty flavor and crunchy texture. They come in different varieties, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel.
Custard Creams
Custard creams are a sandwich biscuit, with a vanilla-flavored cream filling between two rectangular biscuits. Their distinctive yellow color comes from the addition of egg yolks to the dough.
Crawford’s Custard Creams
Crawford’s Custard Creams are a popular brand of custard creams. They have been around since 1856 and are loved for their creamy filling and crunchy biscuits.
Jammie Dodgers
Jammie Dodgers are a sandwich biscuit, with a jam filling between two round biscuits. They are often eaten by children as a snack.
Burton’s Jammie Dodgers
Burton’s Jammie Dodgers is the most popular brand of Jammie Dodgers in Britain. They have been around since the 1950s and are known for their fruity filling and crumbly biscuits.
Hobnobs
Hobnobs are a type of oat biscuit, with a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor. They can be eaten as a snack or used as a base for cheesecakes and other desserts.
McVitie’s Hobnobs
McVitie’s Hobnobs is the most popular brand of Hobnobs in Britain. They come in different varieties, including chocolate and ginger. They are loved for their hearty flavor and satisfying crunch.
| Biscuit Name | Brand |
|---|---|
| Digestives | McVitie’s |
| Custard Creams | Crawford’s |
| Jammie Dodgers | Burton’s |
| Hobnobs | McVitie’s |
In conclusion, the British have a wide selection of biscuits to choose from. Digestives, Custard Creams, Jammie Dodgers, and Hobnobs are just a few of the most popular ones. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea or as a snack, these biscuits are a staple in British culture.
Learn about the answer to the question “What do British call biscuits?” by reading this article which contains a list of popular British biscuits.
Sweet Goodbye, Lovely Readers
And there you have it, folks! Now you know what biscuits mean to British people and how they differ from cookies. It’s always interesting to learn something new about different cultures, isn’t it? Thank you for reading this article, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Feel free to come back anytime soon for more fun and informative articles about the quirks of British life. Until then, cheerio!
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