Water biscuit

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Water biscuit
Crackers with herring and garlic sauce.jpg
Water biscuits with herring in garlic cream sauce
Type Biscuit or cracker
Place of origin United Kingdom
Main ingredients Flour, water

A water biscuit (Commonwealth English) or water cracker (American English) is a type of savoury cracker. They are thin, hard and brittle, and usually served with cheese or wine. [1] Originally produced in the 19th century as a version of the ship's biscuit, water biscuits continue to be popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, with the leading brands (Carr's and Jacob's) selling over seventy million packets a year. [ citation needed ] Water biscuits are also popular in Chile. [2]

Three different varieties of water biscuit: Left: Supermarket Own Brand, Right: Excelsior from Jamaica, Top: Carr's Table Biscuit WaterBiscuit-Trio.jpg
Three different varieties of water biscuit: Left: Supermarket Own Brand, Right: Excelsior from Jamaica, Top: Carr's Table Biscuit

In 1801, Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, Massachusetts, selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War. These were commercial versions/refinements of the hardtack biscuits which had long been used by the British Royal Navy and other European navies.

Several versions of water crackers exist in ex-British colonies, such as Trinidad and Tobago , where Crix brand water biscuits are a popular breakfast and snack staple. They are often served with a spread, including a spicy pepper-and-herring paste called Solomon Gundy.

See also

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References

  1. "Meaning of water biscuit in English". Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  2. "McKay Chilean biscuit company history". Galletas McKay. Retrieved 24 April 2024.