'National Biscuit Day', May 29

NATIONAL BISCUIT DAY

Today we are celebrating National Biscuit Day with a fun and nostalgic look at one of Britain's favourite treats. Biscuits have been part of our lives for generations, appearing in lunchboxes, tea breaks, holidays, and family gatherings. As well as enjoying some delicious memories, today's activities will stimulate conversation, reminiscence, language, attention, and problem-solving skills. We will explore biscuit history, famous brands, memorable advertising jingles, favourite dunking biscuits, and much more. So put the kettle on and let's celebrate the wonderful world of biscuits!

HISTORY OF BISCUITS

The word "biscuit" comes from the Latin bis coctus, meaning "twice baked." Early biscuits were created thousands of years ago as a long-lasting food for travellers, sailors, and soldiers. Hard biscuits, known as ship's biscuits or hardtack, could last for months at sea.

During the Victorian era, advances in baking technology led to the development of many of the sweet biscuits we know today. Tea drinking became increasingly popular, and biscuits became the perfect accompaniment. By the 20th century, Britain had developed a rich biscuit-making tradition, producing classics such as Digestives, Custard Creams, Bourbons, Rich Tea, and Ginger Nuts.

Today the UK is one of the world's biggest biscuit-loving nations, consuming billions of biscuits every year.

McVITIE'S

McVitie's is one of Britain's most famous biscuit manufacturers. The company was founded in Edinburgh in 1830 by baker Robert McVitie.

Some of their best-known products include:

• Digestives

• Chocolate Digestives

• Hobnobs

• Rich Tea

• Club Biscuits

• Penguin Bars

Chocolate Digestives were first introduced in 1925 and have become one of the UK's best-selling biscuits. McVitie's biscuits have been enjoyed by generations and remain a firm favourite at tea time.

Discussion Point:

Which McVitie's biscuit is your favourite and why?

ACTIVITY: TOP 10 BEST-SELLING BISCUITS IN THE UK

Can you identify which of these biscuits are among the UK's biggest sellers?

• Chocolate Digestives

• Digestives

• Hobnobs

• Custard Creams

• Bourbons

• Rich Tea

• Jammie Dodgers

• Ginger Nuts

• Chocolate Fingers

• Nice Biscuits

Discussion Questions

• Which have you tried?

• Which would you remove from the list?

• Which biscuit deserves to be number one?

• Have your favourites changed over the years?

ACTIVITY: MATCH THE BISCUIT WITH THE INGREDIENT

Can you match the biscuit to the ingredient most associated with it?

• Nice Biscuit — Coconut

• Fig Roll — Figs

• Garibaldi — Raisins

• Bourbon — Chocolate

• Custard Cream — Custard Powder

• Jammie Dodger — Raspberry Jam

• Ginger Nut — Ginger

• Shortbread — Butter

• Viscount — Mint

• Hobnob — Golden Syrup

• Oreo — Vanilla

A great activity for memory, deduction, and discussion.

MEMORY CHALLENGE – REMEMBER THE ADVERTISING JINGLE

Can you complete these famous biscuit and chocolate biscuit advertising slogans?

• "Penguin..." (P-p-p-pick up a Penguin)

• "Club..." (If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit...)

Discussion Point: Which TV adverts do you remember most clearly from your childhood?

THE PG TIPS CHIMPS & MR SHIFTER

For many years, one of Britain's most memorable advertising campaigns featured the famous PG Tips chimps. Beginning in the 1950s, these tea-loving chimpanzees appeared in a long-running series of television adverts that became a much-loved part of British popular culture.

One of the most famous characters was Mr Shifter, a removal man who appeared alongside the chimp family in a variety of humorous situations. The adverts often relied on slapstick comedy and memorable one-liners that many people still remember today.

Perhaps the best-known exchange came when a young chimp called out:

"Dad, do you know the piano's on my foot?"

To which the father replied:

"You hum it, son, I'll play it!"

The joke became one of the most quoted advertising lines of its era and remains a favourite example of classic British television humour.

The PG Tips chimp adverts ran for decades and helped make PG Tips one of the UK's best-known tea brands. Many people can still recall watching them during family television viewing and discussing the latest chimp antics the next day.

Discussion Questions

• Do you remember the PG Tips chimps?

• What other classic tea or biscuit adverts can you remember?

• Could advertising characters become as famous today as they were in the past?

A Modern Perspective

While the PG Tips chimp adverts are remembered fondly by many for their humour and nostalgia, attitudes have changed considerably since then. Today, the use of chimpanzees and other wild animals in entertainment and advertising is widely discouraged because of animal welfare concerns. Thankfully, using chimpanzees in advertising is now very much a thing of the past, reflecting greater awareness of the needs and welfare of these intelligent animals. ☕🐵

Are Wagon Wheels Smaller Than They Were In The 1970s?

Many people are convinced that Wagon Wheels have shrunk over the years. There has been some reduction in size and weight since the 1970s, although perhaps not as dramatically as people remember.

Part of the reason is something psychologists call the "memory effect" - many of us first ate Wagon Wheels as children, when they seemed enormous in our smaller hands! As adults, the same snack naturally appears much smaller.

That said, manufacturers have altered the size and weight of Wagon Wheels over the decades, so today's version is generally a little smaller than some earlier versions.

Are Jaffa Cakes Cakes Or Biscuits?

Legally and officially, Jaffa Cakes are cakes, not biscuits.

This question became famous in the 1990s during a VAT dispute involving McVitie's. In the UK:

• Chocolate-covered biscuits are subject to VAT.

• Cakes are generally zero-rated for VAT.

McVitie's successfully argued that Jaffa Cakes are cakes because:

• They are made from sponge cake.

• They become hard when stale (like cakes).

• Biscuits tend to go soft when stale.

To help prove their case, McVitie's even baked a giant Jaffa Cake for the tax tribunal.

The tribunal agreed, and Jaffa Cakes were officially classified as cakes.

DISCUSSION: WHAT IS THE BEST DUNKING BISCUIT?

Everyone has their own favourite!

Popular choices include:

• Digestives

• Chocolate Digestives

• Hobnobs

• Rich Tea

• Ginger Nuts

• Custard Creams

Discussion Questions

• Which biscuit survives the longest dunk?

• Which biscuit tastes best after dunking?

• Have you ever lost a biscuit in your tea?

SAVOURY BISCUITS

Not all biscuits are sweet!

Popular savoury biscuits include:

• Ritz Crackers

• Jacob's Cream Crackers

• Water Biscuits

• Ryvita Crispbreads

• Oatcakes

• Tuc Crackers

• Cheese Thins

Discussion Questions

• What are your favourite toppings - cheese, chutney, pate, or butter?

• Which savoury biscuit is best with soup?

NB It is not true that this song was inspired by a biscuit. Rather it was about moving on after a relationship breakdown, freedom and new beginnings. Nevertheless, it is an interesting discussion point.

CST SONGS OF THE DAY

Breakaway – Gallagher & Lyle

A gentle, uplifting song about taking time out and finding a little space for yourself.

Wouldn't It Be Nice – The Beach Boys

A cheerful classic full of optimism, harmony, and happy memories.

Tea For Two – Doris Day

Perfect for a biscuit-themed session and a celebration of Britain's love affair with tea and biscuits.

Discussion Question:

Which song would make the perfect soundtrack to an afternoon tea with biscuits? ☕🍪