Featured Biscuit: The McVitie's Double Chocolate Digestive

Dear Biscuit Fans

I must first, as usual, apologise for my lack of postings. There have been some major changes in my life since my last post almost 7 months ago! I've graduated from university, moved back home, turned 22, got a new job at a theatre and moved again, and started working on a number of new projects writing and theatrical- so you can understand I've been pretty busy ;) Anyway, I hope this biscuity review reaches you well!! here goes...

For those of you who cannot read the miniscule writing below the picture on the packaging it says "chocolate flavour divestive biscuits with chocolate chips, half coated in milk chocolate" -now, I'm not expert, but wouldn't that make it triple chocolate? or perhaps it is because the biscuit is "chocolate flavour with chocolate chips, half coated in milk chocolate" that it is double rather than triple chocolate. Either way, nom nom nom!! 

Size

Smaller in diameter than your ordinary mcvitie's digestive (chocolate or otherwise) but it makes up for it by being thicker also. Also I was quite pleased to see that the chocolate on top seemed to be thicker too!

Crumbliness

Hardly any crumbs at all! Making for a good crunch- very satisfying :) there is a certain integrity to the structure that I feel is supported by the chocolate chips. 

Dunkability

Firstly, biscuit fans- please appreciate my coffee making skillz (I say it with a z because its more hip and fun that way) 

Ok, now for the actual dunking

Mightily impressed by the dunking capabilities that this biscuit has!! I can hold the biscuit into my beverage for about 8 seconds before it becomes a soggy mess. I feel this to be a record in the digestive biscuits category! The fact that the milk chocolate atop said biscuit melts very satisfyingly whilst still having a good crunch to the biscuit has also increased the excellence of this dunking experience.  Having previously been a long standing spokesperson for the promotion of dark-chocolate covered biscuits, I feel perhaps I have been hasty at my harsh words towards the milk chocolate biscuit....

Tastiness

Well well well. This is a most complicated biscuit to describe. Texturally speaking, a very satisfying biscuit. However, the biscuit itself is "chocolate flavour" and not "chocolate" as in flavoured using cocoa powder, and thus leaving a somewhat artificial taste in the palette. Yet, the chocolate chips are dark and have a nice bittersweet edge to the biscuit, and the milk chocolate on top is somewhat... better than your average biscuit milk chocolate, which can sometimes be extremely poor in quality and taste like the air in a wood working shop (full of sawdust!). So good chocolate on both fronts. But biscuit... mediocre.

Overall Awesomeness

I'd say that despite the biscuit's mediocrity, its chocolate quality and excellent dunking and crumbliness experiences, its a fairly good biscuit. I'm happy to say that I can award this biscuit a fair 3.5 Stars out of 5.

Until next time, Biscuit lovers (and hopefully it won't be as long as the last wait ;) ) 

-R

x

Featured Biscuit: The Fox's Raspberry and Cream Melt (Plus extra news on other biscuit debates!)

Well hello there biscuit fans! How lovely it is to be blogging again :) I've finished my degree now, so will have much more time for blogging about everybody's favourite snacks. On with the review? Yes, methinks!!

Size

Not your standard biscuit! A finger shaped sandwich biscuit! As part of a range of melts that Fox's does (which I highly recommend by the way) This week I am reviewing the raspberry and cream melt. Size wise it is not too shabby! Good shape too for those dunking novices. Also, not too thick for a sandwich biscuit! Sometimes they can just be too thick. 

Dunkability

I was pleasantly suprised by the dunking of this biscuit! Being called a melt, I was slightly concerned that this biscuit may be prone to something I have called "instant dissolving" whereupon any liquid contact with said biscuit will result in an immediate soggy mess. However, I was cheered to find that it maintained its integrity and form! GOOD SHOW, FOX!

Crumbliness 

Omnomnomomm. Not a single crumb was shed, and yet they melt in the mouth, so befitting their name.  Similar to a shortbread biscuit, though describing itself as a "Luxirious viennese biscuit" delish! Tastiness! very satisfying :) 

Tastiness

This is a tasty biscuit. No point denying it. However, I do have some issues regarding the jam and cream part of the biscuit. I understand that for shelf-life reasons biscuit manufacturers are unable to put ACTUAL cream in a biscuit. But I still found this a pleasant taste experience! And the jam- raspberry being my favourite, I feared the biscuit here may struggle as I like my raspberry jam to have seeds. This was seedless. However, this biscuity jam did not have the syntheticy disgusting taste that often comes with seedless raspberry jam. It actually contained raspberries. I was...impressed.

Overall Awesomeness

I'd say this biscuit was fairly awesome. Infact, I'd say one of the best fruit-filling biscuits I have ever had. I'd highly recommend it! Fox's have managed to create a very good biscuit without the drawback of containing palm oil. So I'd be very pleased to give this biscuit.... 4 stars!! 

OTHER IMPORTANT BISCUIT NEWS! 

Well- A friend of mine recently asked me to investigate the mcvitie's claim that their chocolate digestives now claimed to have "even more chocolate" topping them. I have throughly investigated and found that, curiously, it is both false and true. The method by which this "extra chocolate" has been applied seems to have left it somewhat slanted- with the normal amount on one side and an extra on the other side. So... if this affects how you feel about chocolate digestive biscuits, I suggest you are either careful with how you handle your biccies or change to a different brand. Thanks for the tip off for this investigation, Hannah!

until next time, biscuity readers!

R

x

Featured Biscuit: The Maryland Big N Chunky White Choc Chunk Brownie Cookies

Hello Biscuity Friends!! Its time for another blog update! I feel I am well derserved a break in my long slog as a 3rd year and have decided the time has come to update the blog!
STRAIT TO BUSINESS!

Today I am reviewing the Maryland Big N Chunky White Choc Chunk Brownie Cookies. What a mouthful! ...metaphorically and literally!! For it is possibly the longest name for a biscuit I have ever seen, and also is, true to its name, big n chunky.

you can tell just how big they are, because those are my giraffe-onesie bearing knees you can see under the desk. So this is some serious biscuit shiz. 

Size

About the circumference of your average digestive biscuit. Not hugely impressive size-wise until you take into account that this, is a THICK biscuit. Many of you will be familiar with its older cousin, the maryland chocolate chip cookie- think of that, but twice the size and a bit glammed up. Yeah. It really is big and chunky. Maryland may not have been very creative in the naming of this biscuit, but they sure where honest!!

Dunkability

Though it is unusual for me to say so, I think that dunking VASTLY improves this biscuit. True it is top-notch pre-dunking, and would serve very well as an alongside-beverage biscuit, but I feel it becomes considerable more brownie-like in its consistencey once dunked. More on this later! The recommeneded dunking time for this biscuit would be an average of 4 seconds. "Such a long dunk time!" I hear you seasoned biscuityblog readers cry- but let me assure you, I am not going mad. The chunkyness of this biscuit requires a longer dunking time, as a short dunk time on a biscuit of this stature is entirely redundant. 

Crumbliness

Suprisingly few crumbs for a biscuit like this! I was pleased not to have to get out the vacuum cleaner for my desk again. If you are reading my blog, parents, I'd like to point out that that was a JOKE. I don't vacuum my desk. I am careful! Also, what are you doing?? Haven't you got more important things to do?? 

All together a very satisfying biscuit to munch on, there is a definite crumble, but a lack of crunch; which in my current mood suits me very nicely. 

Tastiness

I am suprised to find to be told by my tastebuds that there is either a higher quality of cocoa or a higher ratio of cocoa to flour in these little beauties. I am however, very disappointed by the distinct lack of brownieness that appears to be in this biscuit. Poor show, Maryland. If you're going to call it a brownie cookie, MAKE SURE THERE IS BROWNIE IN IT! This biscuit can only really acheive something akin to brownieness when dunked. And being (as I'm sure my friends will agree) the queen of making brownies, I feel like a totally appropriate authority to pass this kind of judgement. 

However, it was refreshing to have a biscuit that contains white chocolate not to be sickeningly over-sweet! Though the white chocolate itself is far from high quality, it is nevertheless also a long way from the cheap crap one may find in a pic n' mix of a long forgotten Woolworths. Pleasantly suprised. On that count, good show, Maryland!!

Overall awesomeness

I must admit, despite its downfall on the brownieness front, I have thoroughly enjoyed this biscuit. Whilst the biscuits per packed is disappointing (only 8 per packet!! this is an outrage!!) I feel that the high prestige of this biscuit earns it something of a treat only snack. Yes, its all very well and good campaiging for the rights of access to quality biscuits for the masses, but these should be strictly rationed. This particular packed I bought on special offer for £1 at Morrisons. Usually they are a bit more expensive, but I feel I would probably not have bought them at standard price. 

A brilliant biscuit- 4.5 Stars.

Until next time, biscuit lovers!!

R

xx

Featured Biscuit: The Boland's Fig Roll

Why hello there biscuit fans far and wide!

After a bit of a break from the biscuit blog, and having finished the practical part of the latest project I was involved in, I now have a little more time for, yep, you guessed it, eating biscuits. Today I am reviewing a classic, the fig roll. Though some deem this not quite a biscuit, more of a biscuit sized pastry. Indeed, the packaging does mark it out to be made of pastry 

A little research on ye olde worlde wide webbe showed me that there is more history to this little biscuits than meet the eye! Yes, it seems that these have been a tasty treat since ancient egyptian times! Also in America they are not known as fig rolls, but as fig newtons. My superiors in the biscuit bloggery and review world Nicey and Wifey at www.nicecupofteaandasitedown.com tell me that there is some debate as to which method of making fig rolls is best- cut then bake? or bake then cut?? Personally, I think cut then bake, much like the bolands fig roll does, as it makes for a less fally-aparty end to any biscuit. I have found in my explorations of fig rolls in my many years of biscuit eating that the bake then cut method tends to be left to supermarkets own brand of fig rolls (Which are usually, though there are exceptions to this, inferior)

Anyway, though I am sure you a veritably thrilled to learn about the many arguements that we biscuit experts (or in my case, self proclaimed expert) have over fig rolls, I think its about time we got to the review!

Size

For me, this is the ideal size for a non-circular biscuit. Plenty of fruity filling, but not too thick to get your mouth around. Though it does have a filling, as you can see it is not made with layers, making for a much less risky biting experience. For those who prefer a little more danger in their biscuits, I'd recommend anything fruity in a sandwich type biscuit.

Dunkability

When dunking this, I was somewhat scpetical, as previously I had found that the filling in biscuits does not absorb beverage like the main structure of a biscuit. However, if dunked correctly, the fig roll can be a marvellous dunker! Just don't do it for too long otherwise your fig will come out of your mug without its roll and you will be left with some soggy mush at the bottom of your beverage, a tragic wase both of beverage and biscuit. A few seconds is enough for this biscuit, but don't be too hasty to take your biscuit from your drink, as otherwise there is no point in dunking at all! 

Crumbliness

I was pleasantly suprised by how easily this biscuit broke into two for its little photo shoot. Almost no crumbs were lost! I noted during my chewing experience, how the outside edges of the biscuit were slightly crunchier than the middle, but this made it all the more satisfying for the eats. 

Tastiness

This biscuit, is without a doubt, a love it or hate it experience. Mainly because it comes down to the figgy filling within. If you are a fig fan, like myself, you will find this biscuit so joyus it may bring you to tears. For those not figgy inclined, you will probably run away in horror. The satisfying texture of the figs is accompanied by the ocassional miniscule crunch of a fig seed and its a simply marvellous taste experience. The 'pastry' (Which I think of as the biscuit part) is not overly sweet as I feared it might be, but allowed the fig to take over the sweet quota of the biscuit. Its simply marvellous!

Overall awesomeness

Well biscuit fans, I have to say that this is a tip-top biscuit. Though in the packet I bought there were only 12 fig rolls, at a price far less than £1 I find this hard to complain about. I think given the mystery and intrigue the facts that fig rolls bring, and the idea that these were good enough for a Pharoah thousands of years ago has to earn this biscuit a good rating. I give it 4 stars!!

Thanks again Biscuit fans! Hopefully I'll be able to post a little more regularly now :)

R

xx

...yeah... sorry... again!

Hello folks!


As you may have noticed, devoted biscuit fans, it has been quite some time since I posted on this blog. BUT FEAR NOT! I have not forgotten about it :) my plan is to do a proper biscuit review either on wednesday or next weekend. I've been such a busy bee that my life has not yet allowed me to be a biscuit blogger for quite some time!! I know its been a little over a month... but let me assure you, once the next two weeks are over I will be posting much more regularly :) This degree sure is beansy!!

R
xx

Featured Biscuit: The Jacob's Jam and Cream

Well hello there, biscuit fans! It seems that I am getting shoddy at posting regularly, so hows this for a new rule- I will post fairly regularly, but without a specific time frame between posts. There will always be biscuity fun on this blog, biscuit fans!!

Anyway, on with the blog. This week, as you can see from today's post title, I am reviewing the Jacob's Jam and Cream. A timeless classic. But, as you may note unusual, containing more than one filling between two shortcake biscuits. I shall talk more on this later, but for now, here's some pictures!!

This is what they look like before you dig in to the tastiness. Which for me, obviously, was not very long.


Size:

A nicely sized biscuit, methinks! And, unlike the fox's crunch cream, not too tall. a great size! However, a small biscuit:packet ratio does hinder it in its awesomeness. I feel a plastic wrapped stack of biscuits would suit this particular variety rather than Jacob's chosen biscuits in a tray wrapped in plastic method. But, these biscuits are, I feel exceptional. 

Dunkability:

you may find it odd to read, but I feel that this biscuit is particularly suited to dunking. Hear me out biscuit fans, before I hear you cry in dismay "the poor girl's gone mad!" I feel that the particular style of biscuit, in this case, shortcake, combined with a different kind of cream filling, that I feel is far superior to that of any other cream filled biscuit I have reviewed previously, both absorb beverage at a similar rate, thus the biscuit in its entire submerged zone is changed at an equal rate, rather than biscuit going too soggy before the cream has had any time to absorb some yummy hot drink. The sugar on top of the jam does dissolve strait into the drink, but I don't find this to be an issue, being partial to a sweeter beverage anyway. The jam itself changes very little in consistency after a dunk, but remains satisfyingly chewy.  

Crumbliness: 

as you can see, biscuit fans, this biscuit isn't really suitable for breaking in half unless you were going to use a knife/guillotine/laser/welding torch of some kind. The jam simply dosn't like to be broken apart, reminding me somewhat of the whole soul of Harry Potter, compared to the broken soul of Lord Voldemort (who in biscuit form could be compared to the GHASTLY pink wafer. That's right, I just called Voldemort a pink wafer). This biscuit does crumble, though not so much as to make a mess. The crumbs are big enough to pick up without needing tweezers and a magnifying glass, and can still be enjoyed as a little after-snack. 

Tastiness: 

(firstly, apologies for neglecting this section in my last biscuit review. It completely slipped my mind and I have literally only just noticed that I'd not done it. On with the review!) 

 This biscuit, is tasty. I'm just putting it out there. I am impressed. I expected something bog-standard, not particularly anything special, but a little beyond what-I-call biscuit tin 'essentials' (which in my biscuit tin are gingernuts and dark chocolate digestives) the jam, without looking at the packaging, is, I think, raspberry flavour. Although it is possible it could be strawberry. I will just check. It was raspberry! I was right! anyway, normally I would prefer raspberry jam to contain seeds, but as the purpose of this jam was not to spread it on a nice hot piece of toast, and the consistency more firm, I felt it was absolutely fine. 

Overall Awesomeness: 

This biscuit is tres awesome. The cream inside, instead of a boring sort-of circular shape, is in a flower. Thats awesome points. The jam is raspberry rather than strawberry; a bias of mine, but still more awesome points. The biscuit is not showy off, being in rather modest, perhaps a little grandmothery packaging, and thus, awesome. the pattern on the top is extremely satisfying. A 4 star biscuit.

Well done, Jacob's! Though you are more famed for your cream crackers, I will be keeping an eye out for more of your sweet, biscuity delights!!

Until next time, biscuit fans

R

xxx

Featured Biscuit: The Fox's Nice Cream

Well a hearty hello to you there my lovely biscuit blog readers! Before I get started, here is something you simply HAVE to see:

Thats right. A drinks coaster. Featuring biscuits. My friends know me well, for this was another christmas gift, that I have been meaning to blog about for a while!!

anyway, on with the biscuit review, chums!

Here they are! Fox's Nice Creams. I'd never even heard of the Nice CREAM before a large tin of biscuits graced my christmas tree, awaiting a joyus unwrapping. However, i have heard of the Nice Biscuit, which is apparently not originating from Nice in France. I'm not sure why they're called Nice other than because they taste nice, with their distinctive, not like any other biscuit taste. However, I found out recently (from the packaging of today's featured biscuit) that they are secretly containg a secret ingredient! .....AND THAT INGREDIENT IS DESSICATED COCONUT! weird eh?? I never knew! Nice biscuits, as far as I am aware are not affiliated with any particular biscuit manufacturer, like some of my favourites, McVitie's and Fox's, however the Nice Cream is branded with the colourful Fox's mark.

Size: 

As with my previous reviews of Fox's Cream sandwich style biscuits, I have noted that there is significant height to this biscuit, suggesting a wealth of creamy filling. And indeed it was true! Whilst this is perhaps not quite as large as your average branded, or supermarket own Nice biscuit, it makes up for it with its cream centre. And perhaps if it was the same size of an ordinary Nice biscuit, it may be considered overkill for a biscuit, much like the giant bourbon creams and custard creams that are frequenting coffee outlets across the land.

Dunkability:

my dear biscuit buddies- though you may think me biased, not naturally being of the dunking persuasion, you may think it a little bit of an exaggeration to say that this biscuit is utterly unsuitable for dunking of any kind, be your beverage hot or cold. I was saddened to find that my Nice Cream absorbed far too much moisture, perhaps due to the shortness of crumb (which I will go into further detail in, in the following section). I feel that because the cream of the biscuit is significantly less absorbant than the biscuit itself, it is best that this beveragephobic biscuit be enjoyed alongside a beverage rather than dipped in one. My biscuit turned into a soggy mess in my cup of coffee, and I wouldn't wish this tragedy upon any of my readers. So please, biscuit fans, don't dunk.

Crumbliness: 

I found it very difficult to snap this biscuit in two without creating a horrible mess all over the place. it is virtually impossible, so I would suggest not even attempting it. However, I think this may be (as previously mentioned) due to the shortness of crumb, something I have not mentioned in previous reviews. the crumb of a Nice biscuit is particularly small, leading it to be somewhat prone to crumbling. Some may find this irritating or a problem, however I think it to be rather pleasant as it gives it more of a melt in the mouth experience. I am not sure how, but i am CERTAIN that the coconut contributes to this. 

Overall Awesomeness:

I really did like this biscuit, even though it may appear that I have given it a bad review. I feel that rather than snapping it needs to be bitten, and it should steer clear of any bevarage you may be tempted to dunk it in. Do not dunk it in ANYTHING, for you will be doubtless left with a teaspoon rescue type mission to find semi-dissolved biscuity debris at the bottom of your cup, that not only is impossible to reach with a spoon, but spoils your beverage entirely. I would give this biscuit a 2.5 star rating, which I admit is probably a little harsh, but I feel that Fox's as a seasoned biscuit creater should've thought a little more before attempting to develop the Nice biscuit further.  it seems to me that the Nice biscuit has already reached its personal peak and is in no need of jazzing up any further, thank you very much. Personally, I would've thought the most obvious thing to do with a Nice biscuit would be to give it a light coating of chocolate, but each to their own. And Fox's, if I see the chocolate covered Nice biscuit in shops soon, I shall expect a cut of the profits! Or under any other biscuit manufacture's name! 

Until next time, biscuit lovers

R

x

p.s. I'm sorry its taken me so long to do this. I sat down this morning to do my review and after having taken all my pictures, I found I had left my camera cable at home after the christmas holidays!! What a plonker I have been! Anyway, I shall be delving further into the depths of Vinnie's Bursting Barrel of Biscuits in my next blog post, but I will have to wait until my cable arrives in the post. I was lucky enough to have a housemate who has an SD card reader and was able to transfer the pictures for me. Thanks Nej! 

xx

p.p.s the blog is nearing 1000 views now! Thanks for your loyal readership, whether I bully/annoy you into reading it or not! xxx

sorry sorry sorry!!

I know I've not updated in forever, biscuit fans! But fear not!! I WILL update the blog within the next week, as I'm procrastinating like a pro.... or waiting for some guidance. Anyway, the next biscuit I'll be blogging on will be the Fox's Nice Cream. I received it in the wonderful gift of a giant box of biscuits from my dear friend Anna. I am curious, because I've not seen these particular biscuits for sale outside "Vinnie's bursting barrel of biscuits" ....so let me know if you see them!

See you soon biscuit fans

R
xx