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Ewan Carmicheal Abernethy Review	Dear Nicey I have just read your review, and others' comments, on Abernethy biscuits, and I can clarify a few things because not only have I been eating them all my life, but I made some homemade ones last night. (and very nice they were too). 1- the key to Abernethy biscuits is Caraway seeds. Interestingly, these are not listed in the ingredients for the Simmers ones, however they mention 'flavouring' so I assume some caraway seed flavour must be included under this heading. 2- they don't need to be raised by ammonium bicarbonate - this is just an ingredient in some kinds of baking powder and vanishes during the baking process having no impact on taste. 3- when I was little, and went to playgroup at the local church (c 1979,) our favourite biscuits were "Rich Abernethy", and came in a purple packet, or perhaps it was dark blue (I was only four years old). These were not made by Simmers, but I don't know who they were made by. One person comments that they think Abernethys used to be bigger - I think it was this other make that were bigger. 4- Simmers used to make loads of different biscuits, including a lovely dark chocolate chip ginger biscuit. However, their website now only lists Abernethy, the horrible butter biscuits and equally horrible MacVita (a Ryvita type of thing). There must be a thing about dark chocolate ginger biscuits - Gray Dunns and their delicious dark choc gingers have gone, and so have the Simmers choc chip gingers. I'll away now, Ewan
	Nicey replies: Well I'm no expert on them, but I had never heard the Caraway seeds mentioned before. I think I would have to be hallucinating wildly to detect in a Simmers one. Still its a nice idea. My Nan used to get a caraway seed cake quite often when we used to visit, and I haven't seen one in years. As to the raising,. well yes it wouldn't matter what was used, its just a comment on the smell of the commercial biscuit dough really.
Shane Hegarty Oreo Review	I'm not crazy about Oreos on their own, but they are amazing when crumbled up and put on ice cream. Shane
	Nicey replies: Actually Fred Pipes and myself saw an Oreo just randomly ditched on the pavement on Brighton seafront on Monday afternoon. Presumably this is another way in which they can be enjoyed.
Steve in Minnesota Oreo Review	Believe it or not, you can find anything on the web. For example, a website dedicated to... of all things... the wonderful, far better than Oreo, Sunshine Hydrox cookie As a kid, and even today, I much prefer Sunshine brand to Nabisco. Take crackers (soup crackers), for example, Sunshine Whole Wheat Crackers are great, Nabisco are far to bland and way over salted. Back to the main point, the Hydrox cookie was much better that Oreo, it had better flavor and better ingredients; it was flavored with real vanilla. But Nabisco had a marketing force the Sunshine just couldn't compete with. In the US, from a marketing perspective, perception is far more important that content. Also, as you noted yourself, the 'Hydrox' name is a bit odd, and somewhat reminiscent of drain cleaner, but it is actually a composite name made up of the names of the two primary persons in the Sunshine company at that time. I think they 'Hy...' was for Hyrum, but I'm not sure about the '...drox' part. I knew this at one time, but that was many, too many, years ago. It was suggested that they change the name, but they were steadfast in their loyalty to it. Keebler has now taken over the Sunshine brand, and Hydrox, when they can be found, are marketed under the name 'Droxies'. One final comment, Oreos are the classic lazy mom - hyperactive kids cookie. Pure balls of sugar sandwiched between hyper-chocolate; just by them and eat them. What kid can resist a ball of chocolate and sugar overload. As far as the instruction, that was added many years later as a marketing ploy. It simply reflects the way kids eat Oreos. You see the trick is to twist one cookie off while leaving 100% of the filling on the remaining cookie. However, for the unskilled and the heavy handed, a slight prying action will leave filling on both cookies. Of course, there is nothing you can do then but lick the frosting off, eat the cookies, and try again. Another, actually much better, Nabisco cookie is the 'Nilla Wafer' (Vanilla Wafers). These are just what the name implies, small round hard vanilla biscuits with a yummy flavor. Their not really wafers, but a small round cookie/biscuit that soaks up milk like a sponge. They are also very good for crumbling up and making a bottom crust for assorted deserts. Another unrelated cookie related note; instead of Ginger Nuts, we have Ginger Snaps. Ultra-rockhard ginger cookies with a pleasant ginger bite to them. Also, excellent when softened in mild. However, nothing beats my Mom's homemade ginger cookies; thick soft and chewy with a wonderful ginger flavor. Steve in Minnesota; USA
	Nicey replies: Steve, Right you are then.
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?
Andrew Hewkin	Hi Nicey, I wonder if any of your readers can shed light on the current output of the former Symbol Biscuits factory in Blackpool. I gather it is part of the Burtons empire, at least that's what it says here But which biscuits are actually produced there nowadays. The surrounding streets used to smell heavenly when I cycled along Devonshire Road as a young Sandgrown'un (that's what they call us Blackpool folk) Kindest regards to you and Mrs Nicey,
	Nicey replies: Yes we will throw that open to the world at large.
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