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 |
Bart Harris |
Hello Nicey,
I loved the fig article, but was mildly disappointed to see that there was no clear conclusion. I have largely allowed fig rolls to slip out of my life since I was weaned on them up to the age of 8 or 9. Occasionally I am reminded of their figgy goodness by caring friends and family who seem to buy them sporadically. Without these people I might, sadly, have all but forgotten them. Your article has inspired me to fully rediscover my lost love, but I am having trouble working out the panel's consensus on the best fig roll to buy (I believe we used to have Jacob's). Anyway, I would be interested to hear not only that but your own personal preference so that I can waste no time in introducing them back into my routine.
Very best regards,
Bart Harris |
Nicey replies: Oh we frequently don't like to draw clear conclusions and prefer people to make up their own minds. I would simply say stump up the cash and try a few different ones, certainly a Jacobs and a good Burtons (or one of the store own labels) that is 27% or higher fig. The Crawfords ones are hard to find and the others are all fairly exotic. |
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Nick Ovel |
Good Afternoon!
Jim Urpeth asks if there are any other biscuits named after philosophers, would it be stretching the definition of philosopher too far to include Newton (Isaac and fig)?
Keep up the good work!
Nick |
Nicey replies: Yep, I think we had him down as a mathematician. Perhaps some up and coming modern day Philosopher can change his/her name by deed poll to 'Jam-Ring'. Perhaps Mr Urpeth himself could oblige, 'Jim Jam-Ring' is lovely cheerful sort of a name isn't? |
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Graeme Roberts |
Dear Nicey,
With respect to Mr Urpeth's message, I assume he has discounted the "Fig Newton" from the list of biscuit philosophers? I believe that Mr Newton was sitting down, and quite possibly drinking a nice cup of tea, as he rationalised the clockwork universe.
Regards,
Graeme. |
Nicey replies: Good point but I always had Newton down as a Mathematician / Physicist. Actually the Fig Newton is named after a suburb of Boston, and Figs.
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Alice Gorman |
Dear Nicey,
Thank you for your charming response. You've made me think that perhaps biscuits in space is a much-neglected research area that I should pursue. I'm attaching a picture of a 1959 Russian biscuit tin featuring Sputnik 1 for your enjoyment.

Regards,
Alice |
Nicey replies: Alice,
That is a fantastic biscuit tin, you must be very proud. I tend to think about biscuits in space about 3 or 4 times a week at the moment, which I think is healthy. In our book (out in November) I thought about which would be the best biscuit for zero-g or micro-gravity situation. This is surely going to be an issue for the in flight catering on any future sub-orbital space planes. Inevitably I think its the fig roll. |
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Linda Plews |
Hi,
Hope you can help! From being a small child I have practically lived on Burtons Fig Roll biscuits. As I'm sure you are aware Burtons have ceased trading, however I managed to find Fig Rolls made to the exact same recipe being sold in Marks & Spencer. Much to my horror they too have now stopped selling them and although I asked them for the manufacturer who made them on their behalf , they did not tell me. I have sampled many Fig Roll biscuits and can not find one that comes anywhere near the standard of this recipe and someone is obviously producing them as M&S were getting supplies after Burtons ceased trading. Please can you help me locate a supplier of these biscuits or the manufacturer so I can try and acquire some. I saw you on Good Food Live who gave me your website address. You are my only hope as I'm having withdrawal symptoms already! |
Nicey replies: Linda,
Settle down! Burtons have most definitely not ceased trading, they merged with Horizon biscuits a while back who make all the Maryland cookies, they also make Cadbury's biscuits under licence as well as all their old favorites like Wagon Wheels, Jammie Dogers and Toffy pops. They still make their fig rolls but sell them under the Lyons brand. They also make them for Spar, Asda, Sainsburys, Co-op and Morrisons. The percentage fig can vary from 20 - 30% depending on what sort of price point the supermarkets are hoping to hit.
See the 21st Century fig fest for more info.
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