The British are known for their love of tea, but we also have an equally strong appreciation for biscuits. Biscuits are not just for dunking in your tea; they can also be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. In fact, the British have been enjoying biscuits since at least the 17th century! Here are some of my favorite British biscuits that you can find at any supermarket:
Hobnob
Hobnobs are a rectangular biscuit made by McVitie’s and they come in two varieties: one with chocolate on one side and another with coconut. They were first introduced in 1908 as part of their “Health Biscuits” range, which was intended to be healthier than previous offerings. In addition to being sold individually, Hobnobs can be found in many different kinds of cookies, including chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin varieties (the latter being my personal favorite).
Chocolate Bourbon
Chocolate Bourbon biscuits are a chocolate biscuit with a bourbon cream filling. They originated in the UK in the late 1950s, and their original recipe was created by Mackintosh’s. These biscuits are made from a soft floury texture that melts in your mouth when you bite into them.
Digestive
Digestive biscuits are a British classic. These hard, unsweetened biscuits can be found in tea rooms and cafés across the country. They’re made from wheat flour, which gives them their characteristic bite and crunch. The name “digestive” comes from their place of origin: they were originally developed by a doctor named Dr James Carruthers in 1892 as an aid to digestion after dinner–hence the name “digestive.” These days, however, they’re eaten any time of day! While there’s nothing wrong with eating these tasty treats on their own (they go great with jam), they also make a great base for all kinds of toppings: butter or honey would work well; cream cheese could give them an unusual twist; even melted chocolate would work nicely if you don’t want too much sweetness on your palate at once!
Viennese
Viennese are a biscuit that is popular in the UK. They’re made with a mixture of flour, ground almonds and butter. Some people call them ‘Biscuits de Luxe’ as they were originally imported from Austria (Vienna). You’ll often find Viennese served with tea or coffee – they go well with both hot drinks and cold beverages!
Nice
Nice is a British biscuit, made with flour, butter and sugar. It was originally created in France and has been popular in the UK since the 19th century. The name comes from its similarity to nougat (or “noyau”), which means ‘kernel’ or ‘nut’. Originally known as ‘petits fours’, these sweet treats were first made by French chefs during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715). They were named after their creator Nicolas Desayreaux who was awarded letters patent for his recipe in 1694.
Jammie Dodger
Jammie Dodgers are a British biscuit made by United Biscuits. First introduced in 1973 and originally called “Jammy Dodgers”, they consist of a flaky base with raspberry jam in the middle. Jammies are one of the most popular biscuits in the UK and Ireland, often eaten as part of tea or breakfast with milk or coffee.
Garibaldi
Garibaldi biscuits are a popular British biscuit that can be found in most supermarkets, but they were first produced by Huntley & Palmer in the 1930s. They’re made from chocolate-flavored cookie dough and then covered in chocolate. The name of these biscuits comes from Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882), an Italian general and politician who was known as the “Hero of Two Worlds” because he fought for both Italy’s unification during its Risorgimento period and its independence from France during the Franco-Prussian War.
Rich Tea
The Rich Tea is a chocolate-coated biscuit that was created in 1910 by Nestlé. Originally called “Biscuit Richoux”, it’s made from wheat flour, sugar, vegetable fat and cocoa powder along with a raising agent. The name changed to Rich Tea when they were first sold in Britain during World War One because of their resemblance to the dark brown uniforms worn by British officers at that time.
Malted Milk
The humble malt is a British classic, and this delicious biscuit is no exception. It’s made by Cadbury and comes in a wide range of flavours including chocolate, fruit and plain. The one you want to get your hands on if you want something creamy and sweet is the malted milk version though – it’s just like drinking flavoured milk! This biscuit is popular with children because it has such a sweet taste but also has enough substance that adults can enjoy it too.
Custard Cream
This is a biscuit that should be eaten in moderation. It’s delicious but not exactly the healthiest of snacks, so save it for special occasions or when you’re feeling indulgent. Custard Creams were first made by Huntley & Palmer in the late 1800s, who called them “Bournville” after their factory town of Birmingham (now known as Bournville). The recipe has remained unchanged since then and these days they are produced by McVitie’s, who have been making biscuits since 1837!
Ginger Nut
A Ginger Nut is a biscuit made from a light, sweet, golden-coloured, ginger-flavoured dough, and usually coated with dark brown sugar. The biscuit is often associated with the Royal Air Force (RAF) where it was often issued to pilots during World War II as part of their standard flight rations.
Pink Wafer
Pink Wafer has had a long and storied history in Britain. Originally created in the early 1800s, Pink Wafers were originally made by hand, with each wafer being individually stamped out of dough and baked in an oven heated to over 200 degrees Celsius. The high heat allowed the wafer to crisp up quickly–but not too quickly! If you don’t cook them long enough, you’ll end up with something resembling a stale biscuit rather than one that is crisp and flavorful. But what exactly makes these cookies so delicious? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes them so special; perhaps it’s their delicate sweetness or maybe even their delicate texture–either way, any true British foodie will tell you that there’s nothing better than biting into one fresh from the oven (or microwave).
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best British biscuits. I know I did!
