Your ViewsKeep your e-mails pouring in, it's good to know that there are lots of you out there with views and opinions. To help you work out what is what, are now little icons to help you see biscuit related themes. And now you can see at a glance which are the most contested subjects via this graph (requires Flash 6.0 plugin). Please keep your mails coming in to nicey@nicecupofteaandasitdown.com | If you like, you can use this search thingy to find stuff that matches with any of the icons you pick, or use the fantastic free text search, Yay! | Your e-Mails |
Kathryn Hall |
Dear Nicey,
I hate to admit it but I am rather confused.
When several other correspondents mentioned 'Mikado' biscuits, I was tickled (figuratively of course) remembering them fondly from my youth.
However, my recollection does not tally at all with the descriptions given.
A cousin of the recently reviewed 'Kimberly', made by Jacob's, the Mikado of my childhood was a thin, crumbly (though not very crunchy) biscuit, upon which there rested two parallel strips of pink marshmallow with red (raspberry?) jam in the middle and all dusted with desiccated coconut. They were traditionally served at parties (being too posh to have at any other time) and provided a great deal of entertainment, due to the numerous ways one could attempt to eat them ( jam first, marshmallow first and so forth).
Can you shed any light on this? Perhaps it is merely an Irish phenomenon? It certainly seems more worthy of being named after a comic operetta (versus the previously described version which seems more sophisticated).
Very best wishes,
Kathryn Hall, Indiana.
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Nicey replies: Kathryn
Don't be confused, I think you are right. The Wife, being a nice Irish lady, has mentioned Irish Mikados before, and even sang a little song that went along with the advert. Hoorah! On our next Irish tea tour we will try and track some down. |
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Tom England |
Mr Nice,
I am delighted to be able to shed light on the whereabouts of the Mikado biscuit, or should I say 'biscuit' (spelt exactly the same, but said with un accent de Francaise).
On a recent trip to France, spoilt only by the French, and France, I chanced upon a packet of the afore mentioned Mikado (on special offer*) and splashed out a few Euro nuggets on a multi pack. Unlike Mr D & Ms Goldsmith I had never encountered such a biscuiting entity but was pleasantly surprised. They look like sparklers, but taste a lot nicer (you'd also be advised not to light a Mikado)
I do in fact have a small supply in a cupboard somewhere at home, so if Mr D and Ms Goldsmith would like to pop round this evening, I'll probably be in between 7 and 9, I would be delighted to crack open a pack. I'll leave a key under the mat. (Just notice you live in Australia Ms Goldsmith, you'd better get your skates on. Perhaps you could come in your 'Ute' ??)
(*They were amusingly on special offer, like many other items in France, as the manufacturers had made thousands of special World Cup packets with pictures of the 'successful' French Football team on, only to be knocked out instantly!!!) |
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Jenny Goldsmith
Jacob's Mikado Review |
I too remember the Mikado biscuit. I used to longingly gaze at themwhen shopping with my mother who would never let me have them. They were at the echelon of biscuit poshness and I used to imagine grown ups laughing, drinking wine and delicately noshing at them.
When I reached the age where I could decide what I wanted to buy in the biscuit department I finally bought a box. Excitedly, I didn't wait till I reached home, but scoffed them right there at the till - and boy they didn't disappoint.
I am greatly saddened that Mr D hasn't been able to find them as they are truly great. I can't really help though as I am in Australia where, yes, they do love Tim-Tams. I however think they are a poor, lighter imitation of a Penguin and am distinctly unimpressed.
Great website.
Jen |
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Fuhr David (Mr D) |
Nicey
Glad to see the site is still going from strength to strength. There was a bijou featurette in the London Metro which was very complimentary.
I recently experienced a new hybrid creation, which is well worth exploring. The "After Eight" biscuit. The item itself resembles a small After Eight chocolate, but the chocolate covering is concealing not the expected minty goo, but a very crunchy, very minty biscuit. Extremely satisfying, and maintains an impressive degree of structural integrity when dunked. Admittedly, it is usually the case that chocolate/biscuit hybrids such as this resemble something straight from the laboratory of Dr Moreau. But this is the exception proving the rule.
Also: whither the "Mikado" biscuit? For those not aware, the Mikado was a long (6" approx) thin stick of unsweetened biscuit (of similar diameter to a strand of raw spaghetti). Seven-eighths of the length was dipped in dark chocolate, thus creating a juxtaposition between, and a synergy of, flavours. The un-dipped section provided a useful handle for dunking purposes. It was almost, if I may be permitted to enter the stratosphere of pretension, a gestalt biscuit. It was also available in a variety where the chocolate was orangey (but this detroyed the essential purity). But WHERE HAS IT GONE? No longer available in Waitrose, I now worry that it may have ceased production, and gone to that great biscuit barrel in the sky. Any knowledge of the current whereabouts of the Mikado biscuit gratefully received.
David Fuhr
[Note: the "Mr D" is my e-mail is not a display of personal arrogance, but is down to the configuration of this computer system].
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Steve Quiller |
Help
For years I have been experiencing cold turkey cos I could not find Jacobs
Lincoln biscuits anywhere in London (well not all over London because I don't go all over London, but you know what I mean) or Surrey. I haven't had a Lincoln for years and years and thought they had disappeared and then I go to Eire for a holiday and there they are in packets by the thousand in the supermarkets and corner shops. Wots going on I ask? I can't even find a website for Mr. Jacob to complain. Somebody please put me out of my misery and tell me where I can get Lincoln biscuits in London or Surrey. God, I'm starting to dribble at the thought of some now.
Tar very much
Bi
Steve |
Nicey replies: You'll be able to get McVities Lincoln biscuits without too much bother, but Jacobs don't do the same brands for Ireland as for the UK. I don't recall ever seeing Jacobs Lincoln biscuits. Jacobs have a bakery in Liverpool that serves the UK market and one in Dublin for the Irish market.
Hope this helps. |
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