Your Views

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Your e-Mails

Jez Philips	hello nice cup of tea such a well informed site will no doubt be aware of the Inland Revenue classifi'cake'tion of the Jaffa Cake into the biccy or cake camp... but if not, I'd heard that the following test was applied: biscuits left out on the sideboard go soggy after a few days cakes left out on the sideboard go hard after a few days jaffa cakes go hard thus, they are cakes QED JP
	Nicey replies: Yes we are aware of that line of reasoning. The problem is that Cake is considered a staple foodstuff and does not attract VAT, whilst biscuits are considered a luxury item, and as such are subject to VAT. McVities are keen for Jaffa Cakes to be seen as cake, and calling them Jaffa CAKES and making the bottom out of sponge wasn't enough of a clue. The Irish inland revenue decided it was a cake due to its moisture content being above 12%, (see the cake link at the top) Apparently UK the Judge needed more convincing so McVities made him a special 12 inch wide Jaffa cake, which he scoffed down with a pot of tea and then ruled it was a cake, Hoorah. The goverment alas want the ruling over turned as its got chocolate on top and looks like a luxury item to them and the want to slap VAT on it.
Andrew Clover	Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to thank you for highlighting the Abbey Crunch, a biscuit which surely deserves greater popularity. Since returning from Germany (a land poor in natural biscuit resources) I have been disappointed to find the breed absent from supermarket shelves. Hopefully your sterling work may save this unparalleled dunking-confection from extinction. I look forward to reading your thoughts on the Fox's Crinkle Crunch. You would be advised to try the superb Butter flavour as all the rest are disappointing. Especially the rubbish cream-based varieties. Yours sincerely, Cpl. T. And Clover (retd.) PS. Pink wafers are poor in flavour and texture. Am ambivalent on the Nice. Hope that helps.
	Nicey replies: I've mostly seen Abbey Crunch in triple packs with along with ginger nuts and fruit shortcake for 99p in Iceland. Good hunting.
Gordon Watson	Hi Nicey, If you want to get serious, how about this quote from CCFRA: http://www.campden.co.uk/research/current/consumdef.htm "Cognitive measurement of consumer criteria for manufacturing standards of texture of biscuits The aim of this project is to understand the textural properties which influence consumer acceptance of biscuits. Short dough biscuits (e.g. Lincoln type) will be produced with a range of textures. Knowledge of ingredient functionality will enable the hardness, crunchiness and breakdown properties of the biscuits to be varied, and through studies of consumer perception of these textures, their acceptability will be measured. This information will be used to assess the effects of reducing the fat content on the quality and acceptance of this type of biscuit. If successful, this information will enable manufacturers and retailers to sell biscuits of even greater acceptability to consumers, including products which contain lower levels of fat. " Fascinating stuff, I'm sure you'll agree. yours, Oafyuf
	Nicey replies: Yes that is very interesting. It shows that biscuit engineering is a vibrant and exciting science. Maybe one day you'll be a able to do an entire degree on biscuits, somewhere. I would like to come and do a guest Lecture on the Abbey Crunch, and the importance of a nice sit down, if that ever happens.
Liz W	Ere Nicey, I'm having a bit of a do for the next couple of days to celebrate 50 years on the job, Woo, lots tea and biccys in the garden, Yay. Have you got any suggestions for some useful biscuits, I'll need about 12 to 15 thousand packets I reckon. Ta. Liz.
	Nicey replies: Liz, You'll probably be OK with loads of tins of Rover assortment, they are a bit pricey but if its a special do then its probably worth it. They are a good selection with a few bourbons, jam and cream sandwichs etc so they should keep everyone happy. As a bonus you'll also have several thousand old biscuit tins left over to keep all your old photos, paper clips and bits of string in.
Sue Clark Garibaldi Review	I must disagree with Jon Beck's email about digestive biscuits being all the same, no matter which brand you buy. Clearly Jon has no idea what he is talking about because as we all know, the only true digestive biscuit is made by McVities. All other brands are inferior alternatives, mainly because they have an artificially sweet taste, hence they are known as the "sweetmeal" variety. Any disgestive fan will be able to spot the difference betwen McVities and other brands blindfolded. I would also like to point out to Jon that far from being ignored on this site, Digestives were Biscuit of the Week 03/02/2002 ... and I must say I have to agree with this quote taken from the Digestive's review on Biscuit of the Week :- "Other people attempt to make digestives but they taste like cardboard compared to the mighty McVities"
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