National Biscuit Day, which is celebrated on May 29 annually, is a British holiday that allows us to appreciate the biscuit and all its various types and flavors. Biscuits are flour-based products that are baked in a variety of shapes. Typically, they are made and sweetened with flavors such as sugar, chocolate, icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon. Biscuits, like crackers, can also be savory. A biscuit can also refer to a hard flour-based product made specifically for animals, such as dog biscuits. A biscuit is a small baked product that is commonly referred to as a “cookie” or a “cracker” in the United States and most of English-speaking Canada outside of North America.
History of National Biscuit Day
The need for nutritious and long-lasting foods that could easily be transported on long journeys, particularly at sea, was initially solved by taking live food along with a cook. However, depending on the mode of transportation at the time, which was either horses or small ships, this would require additional space. This would eventually lead to the baking of processed cereals (including the production of flour), providing a more reliable source of food.
In earlier times, most physicians believed that most health problems were related to digestion, and it was considered and recommended that biscuits be eaten daily for sustenance and to avoid illnesses. Because hard biscuits soften with age, early bakers attempted to create the hardest possible biscuits. When baked hard, biscuits could be stored for years without spoiling as long as they were kept dry. As the supply of sugar increased, as did the refinement and supply of flour, and so did the ability to sample more leisurely foods, including sweet biscuits.
The British biscuit business established market dominance with new products and visually appealing packaging. In 1831, the British company Huntley & Palmers invented the decorative biscuit tin, which resulted in biscuits being exported around the world. By 1900, Huntley & Palmers biscuits had been sold in 172 countries, demonstrating their global reach. Because of the historical importance of this type of food, many regions of the world now have their own distinct style of biscuit.
National Biscuit Day timeline
The biscuit tin is invented and used for the transport of biscuits during exportation.
Cadbury patents the chocolate biscuit.
The McVitie’s Digestive biscuit is first made in 1892.
Hunter & Palmers makes sales in up to 172 countries by 1900.
National Biscuit Day FAQs
What is National Biscuit day?
National Biscuit Day U.K., observed on May 29, is a British national holiday dedicated to celebrating biscuits.
What country consumes biscuits the most?
Britain is the country with the most biscuit consumers in the world. According to reports, the average Briton buys about 500 biscuits a year.
What is the most famous biscuit?
The most famous biscuit is the Parle-G biscuit, originally manufactured in India.
National Biscuit Day Activities
Bake some biscuits
It’s always a great idea to bake some biscuits for National Biscuit Day. So get that recipe book, clean out the oven, and get baking!
Eat some biscuits
Well, you know what they say, right? “A biscuit a day keeps the doctors away” Okay, nobody says that. But the idea is to eat some biscuits on National Biscuit Day.
Share the fun online
Share the spirit of National Biscuit Day online by making posts with the hashtag #NationalBiscuitDay. Don’t forget to share some homemade recipes with your followers and friends.
5 Interesting Facts About Biscuits
First British biscuits were breath fresheners
The first set of British biscuits was initially made to freshen people’s breaths.
Biscuits were initially unsweetened
Biscuits weren’t always tasty and were initially baked hard without leavening and were primarily a source of sustenance for soldiers, rather than sweet snacks.
Britain is home to the biscuit factory
The biscuit factory was officially established in Britain and British brands are still the most popular biscuit brands.
Biscuit consumption “relieves sin”
It was once believed that eating a biscuit before a funeral and placing the biscuit on the deceased’s corpse would relieve the deceased of their sins.
WWII popularized biscuits and tea
The relationship between biscuits and tea was made popular in the era of World War II.
Why We Love National Biscuit Day
Biscuits are tasty
Biscuits are delicious, especially in recent times where companies experiment with a wide variety of flavors. Additionally, don’t you just love the sweet taste of biscuits?
Biscuit baking is good for bonding
Baking biscuits is always an opportunity to bond with family, as well as with friends. It’s an opportunity to have fun and share your baking skills.
Biscuits are good for digestion
Biscuits contain some fiber and protein which aid in digestion. It’s a great snack after a full meal!
National Biscuit Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 29 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 29 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 29 | Saturday |
| 2028 | May 29 | Monday |
| 2029 | May 29 | Tuesday |
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