National Biscotti Day – September 29, 2024

History of National Biscotti Day

You can get biscotti anywhere and enjoy it however you like. Biscotti is ideal for you if you’re a vegetarian or on a diet. The primitive form of biscotti was originally Roman. Re-emerging in Tuscany, Prato, biscotti is derived from the Latin word ‘biscoctus,’ which means ‘twice-baked.’ The double baking allows the biscuit to be dry and less perishable. Due to its durability, biscotti was stored to be eaten by travelers and warriors.

Due to Tuscany’s plethora of almond groves, the initial recipe of biscotti was tweaked to include unroasted almonds. Biscotti is also referred to as ‘Cantucci,’ however, this also refers to the various imitations of the original recipe in Tuscany.

Biscotti is also associated with Palm Sunday, as ‘currutacos’ (biscotti with almonds) are used as ornaments on the palm leaves given to the worshippers in the capital of the Spanish region, Garraf.

The people of Tuscany enjoyed the cookie dipped in a sweet wine called Vin Santo, the perfect match for the biscuit. This wine is considered the only perfect match for biscotti. It is also used as an ingredient in some Catalonian dishes, enjoyed in rice and sardines, and onion sauces. In one Spanish region, it is used as an ingredient in the sauce prepared for turnip-stuffed duck.

Biscotti found its way to America thanks to Christopher Columbus, who had used it as food during his voyage. Biscotti didn’t remain the same, as it was modified and enjoyed in different ways that we can appreciate now. We can eat the cookie with tea, coffee, cold chai, or in parfaits.