A biscuit is a type of food. The exact meaning varies in different parts of the world. The origin of the word biscuit is from a Middle French word meaning "twice cooked".

American English meaning

In American English "biscuit" means a form of bread similar to a roll made with baking powder or baking soda as a rising agent rather than yeast (rolls made with yeast are often called "yeast rolls" to distinguish them, and biscuits, soda breads, and corn bread are sometimes referred to collectively as "quick bread").

Biscuits are a common feature of Southern US cuisine, often made with buttermilk. They are similar to scones but served as a side dish with a main meal or as a breakfast item. Biscuits are often eaten with molasses, butter and jam or jelly. Additionally, biscuits are served as part of a dish called biscuits and gravy which consists of biscuits covered with small pieces of loose sausage and with a white gravy made from sausage drippings.

British English meaning

In British English a biscuit is a harder baked product which in North America would be called a "cookie" or "cracker". Many regional varieties, both sweet and savoury exist, often produced in industrial quantities by large food concerns. Sweet biscuits are commonly eaten as a snack and may contain chocolate, fruit, jam or nuts. Savoury biscuits are plainer and commonly eaten with cheese following a meal.

A basic biscuit recipe includes flour, shortening (often lard), baking powder or soda, and milk (buttermilk or sweet milk). Common variations involve cheese or sugar.

Australians use the British English meaning of biscuit. A famous Australian biscuit is the Tim Tam.

Varieties

Common biscuit types include:

• List of brands of biscuit
• Bath Oliver biscuits
• Bourbon biscuits
• Cream crackers
• Digestive biscuits
  • Chocolate Digestive
• Lincoln biscuits
• Nice biscuits
• Shortbread
• Water biscuits
• Rubber biscuits

See also

• American and British English differences
• Petit beurre (a French biscuit).

External links

• Site devoted to Tea and Biscuits