Bourbon biscuits are a beloved staple in Britain’s snack cupboards, but there’s more to these treats than meets the eye.
With ‘bourbon’ imprinted on their surface alongside 10 precise holes bordering the edge, these indentations – known as “docker” holes – serve a functional purpose and not just an aesthetic one.
Poking these holes into the dough is crucial before baking as it allows for the biscuits to cook more uniformly. Mark Greenwell, team manager at United Biscuits’ factory in Carlisle, responsible for producing iconic McVitie’s and Carr’s water biscuits, once explained the phenomenon during an episode of Food Unwrapped on Channel 4.
Addressing presenter Kate Quilton, he clarified: “If the holes weren’t there, steam would build up inside the biscuits. The biscuits would collapse back down and you wouldn’t have a controllable product. You’re trying to get steam out of the biscuits to have an even texture.”
This interesting tidbit about biscuits has recently stirred conversations on social media platforms, where users were eager to express their astonishment and musings. Comments ranged from “Wow, I didn’t know that.”
And another added: “I thought it was a money saving tactic by the company to cumulatively save tons of biscuit material.”
Someone else mentioned: “Love this bit of knowledge and I really want a biscuit now,” while yet another person appreciated the new insight: “This is something I never knew I needed to know, but I’m glad I do now!”
The iconic Bourbon biscuit, developed back in 1910 by Peek Freans – a London biscuit company based in Bermondsey – showcases a luxurious sandwich design. Two chocolate-flavoured rectangular biscuits encase a layer of sumptuous chocolate buttercream filling, a treat savoured especially during tea times and as a snack across the UK.
Contrary to what their name might suggest, these biscuits are free from any bourbon whiskey. It’s widely believed the “Bourbon” moniker was inspired by France’s opulent House of Bourbon, evoking a sense of splendour and sophistication.
Such is their popularity that they’ve even been featured in episodes of the Great British Bake Off!