Thursday 31 January 2013

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


Monday 14 January 2013

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




Sunday 13 January 2013

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

Which biscuit is the best?