A Marie (also known as María) is a type of sweet biscuit similar to a Rich Tea biscuit. It is made with wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil and, unlike the Rich Tea biscuit, vanilla flavoring. The biscuit is round and has its name engraved into its top surface. The edges of the top surface are also engraved with an intricate design. While the Rich Tea biscuit is the most popular version of this biscuit in the United Kingdom, it is the Marie version that is most popular in most other countries, particularly Australia, India, South Africa, and Spain. Like the Rich Tea biscuit, many consider the Marie's plain flavor to make it particularly suitable for dunking in tea. Other popular methods of consuming the biscuit includes using two to make a sandwich with butter and marmite or condensed milk spread in between, covering it with golden syrup, and crumbling it up in custard and jelly. Marie biscuits are frequently served to children. Babies may be served the biscuits softened in milk as their first solid food. Marie biscuits are also a common ingredient in home baking recipes.
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History
The Marie biscuit was created by an English bakery in 1874 to commemorate the marriage of the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia to the Duke of Edinburgh. It became popular throughout Europe, particularly in Spain where, following the Spanish Civil War, the biscuit became a symbol of Spain's economic recovery after bakers produced mass quantities to consume a surplus of wheat.[1]
Manufacturers
Major international manufacturers of the biscuit include:
- Arnott's Biscuits Holdings, Australia
- Blue Bird Foods, Uruguay, "Alidoro" brand
- Bonn Food industries, India, "Mariebon" brand
- Britannia Industries, India
- Cuétara, Spain
- Gamesa, Mexico
- Grupo Siro, Spain
- Kharkiv Biscuit Factory, Ukraine
- Katalina Foods, Syria
- Khong Guan Biscuit Factory, Singapore
- Kinh Do Corporation, Vietnam
- Marquez Brothers, Mexico, "El Mexicano" brand
- La Moderna, Mexico
- Morinaga & Company, Japan
- Pally Holland, Netherlands
- Şimşek Biscuits & Foods, Turkey, "Gorona" brand (also available in Cocoa, Orange, Lemon, and Banana flavors)
- Confectionary Factory Spartak, Belarus
- Disha Foods, India, "Treff" brand
References
- ^ La Tienda, 2-Pack Maria Cookies by Cuetera, <http://www.tienda.com/food/products/co-01-2.html>. Retrieved on 2007-11-09
External links
- Biscuit of the Week, a review at Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down
- Review of Maria Cookies, reviews of various international brands
