The Fascinating History of British Biscuits

🍪Biscuit tins became popular in the 1850s, providing a decorative way to store biscuits and serve as advertising and marketing space for biscuit brands.

🥐Custard creams, with their unique double-layered design and vanilla flavor, originated in 1908 and were reminiscent of the decorative style of the Baroque era.

🍫Bourbon biscuits, introduced in 1860, were named after the combination of the Bourneville location and the German word for 'born'. They feature a chocolatey taste and distinctive design with ten holes.

🍊Jammie Dodgers, first created in 1960, are named after a mischievous character in the British comic 'The Beano'. They consist of a cake base with a thin layer of orange jelly, covered in dark chocolate.

🍮Jaffa Cakes, introduced in 1927, are a cake-like biscuit with a zesty orange jelly filling and a covering of dark chocolate. There has been ongoing debate about whether they are cakes or biscuits.

What is the origin of biscuit tins?

—Biscuit tins became popular in the 1850s when Britain became a leading supplier of tin. They provided a way to store biscuits in a non-rusting, airtight container and also served as advertising space for biscuit brands.

Why are custard creams called custard creams?

—Custard creams are named after their double-layered design and the reminiscent flavor of Bird's custard powder. They were originally filled with vanilla buttercream, but the modern versions often use alternative ingredients.

Why are bourbon biscuits called bourbon biscuits?

—Bourbon biscuits are named after their creator, a German man named Dr. Hans Zenock, who worked in Cadbury's R&D center. The name is a combination of 'Bourneville', where the biscuit was developed, and 'bour' from his German hometown.

Who is Roger the Dodger from Jammie Dodgers?

—Roger the Dodger is a mischievous character from the British comic 'The Beano'. Jammie Dodgers were named after him as they embody his playful nature with a cake base, orange jelly filling, and a chocolate covering.

Are Jaffa Cakes cakes or biscuits?

—There has been a legal debate about whether Jaffa Cakes should be classified as cakes or biscuits. They are officially considered cakes due to their texture and the fact that they harden when left out, unlike biscuits which become limp.

00:00Biscuit tins became popular in the 1850s, providing a decorative way to store biscuits and serve as advertising and marketing space for biscuit brands.

05:47Custard creams originated in 1908 and were reminiscent of the decorative style of the Baroque era. They feature a double-layered design and a vanilla flavor.

12:09Bourbon biscuits, introduced in 1860, were named after the combination of Bourneville and the German word for 'born'. They have a chocolatey taste and a distinctive design with ten holes.

19:31Jammie Dodgers, first created in 1960, consist of a cake base with a thin layer of orange jelly, covered in dark chocolate. They were named after a mischievous character in the British comic 'The Beano'.

27:51Jaffa Cakes, introduced in 1927, are a cake-like biscuit with a zesty orange jelly filling and a covering of dark chocolate. There has been ongoing debate about whether they are cakes or biscuits.