The annual celebration of National Biscuit Day on May 29 is a British holiday that allows us to appreciate the biscuit in all its varieties and flavours. Biscuits are baked flour-based products with a diversity of shapes. Typically, they are prepared with sugar, chocolate, icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon as sweeteners. Similarly to crackers, biscuits can also be savoury. Biscuits can also refer to firm, flour-based animal treats, such as dog biscuits. A biscuit is a compact baked good that is referred to as a “cookie” or “cracker” in the United States and most of English-speaking Canada outside of North America.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BISCUIT DAY UK
Initially, the need for nutritious and durable foods that could be readily transported on long journeys, particularly at sea, was met by bringing a cook along with live food. Depending on the mode of conveyance at the time, whether it was horses or small ships, this would necessitate additional space. This would eventually result in the baking of processed cereals (including the production of flour), which would provide a more reliable food source.
In the past, the majority of physicians believed that the majority of health issues were related to digestion, and it was recommended that biscuits be consumed daily for sustenance and to prevent illness. Because firm biscuits become softer over time, early bakers endeavoured to create the hardest biscuits possible. As long as they were kept dry, hard-baked biscuits could be stored for years without going bad. As sugar supplies increased, so did the refinement and supply of flour, allowing for the consumption of more leisurely foods, such as sweet biscuits.
The British biscuit company achieved market dominance by introducing new products in aesthetically pleasing packaging. The British company Huntley & Palmers devised the decorative biscuit tin in 1831, which led to the global export of biscuits. By the year 1900, 172 countries had purchased Huntley & Palmers biscuits, demonstrating their global reach. Due to the historical significance of this type of food, numerous regions of the globe now have their own unique biscuit style.
National Coq Au Vin Day 2023 (US): History, Dates and Facts
National Alligator Day 2023 (US): History, Dates and Facts
Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling 2023 (UK): History, Dates and Facts
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BISCUITS
The first British cookies were breath mints.
The initial purpose of the first batch of British biscuits was to refresh people’s breath.
Initially, biscuits were unsweetened.
Biscuits were initially baked without leavening and served predominantly as a source of sustenance for soldiers, as opposed to sweet treats.
This nation houses the pastry factory.
The biscuit factory was officially founded in the United Kingdom, and British biscuit brands remain the most ubiquitous in the world.
Biscuit consumption “relieves sin”
Once upon a time, it was believed that consuming a biscuit before a funeral and placing it on the corpse of the deceased would absolve the deceased of their sins.
World War II popularised tea and pastries
During World War II, the relationship between biscuits and tea gained popularity.
NATIONAL BISCUIT DAY UK DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 29 | Monday |
| 2024 | May 29 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 29 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 29 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 29 | Saturday |
