BISCUIT

The History of Biscuits

Biscuits are among the oldest baked foods made from flour, with a history dating back more than two thousand years. Early forms of biscuits can be traced to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where bread was baked and then dried again to make it last longer. This made biscuits a practical food for sailors, soldiers, and travelers during long journeys.

Where Does the Word “Biscuit” Come From?

The word biscuit comes from the French word bescuit and originally from the Latin phrase bis coctus, meaning “twice baked.” This name refers to the traditional method of making biscuits: the dough was first baked and then baked or dried again to become crisp, dry, and long-lasting.

Biscuits Around the World

As trade, travel, and sea voyages expanded, biscuits became an important food in ships and armies because they were light, easy to carry, and had a long shelf life. Later, with industrial production, biscuits changed from a practical travel food into a popular everyday snack. Today, biscuits are produced in many varieties, including plain, butter, cream-filled, chocolate-covered, wholegrain, and digestive biscuits.

The Arrival of Biscuits in Iran

Biscuits entered Iran during the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods through Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus. At first, most biscuits were imported and sold mainly in larger cities such as Tehran, Tabriz, and Rasht. Later, small local workshops began producing biscuits, and in the 1950s, industrial biscuit production started in Iran.

Vitana is known as one of the first industrial biscuit producers in Iran. Its famous Madare biscuit became one of the most nostalgic and well-known biscuits for several generations of Iranian families.

Biscuits in Iranian Food Culture

Today, biscuits are one of the most popular snacks in Iran. They are commonly enjoyed with tea, milk, or coffee and are found in many different types, from simple and wholegrain biscuits to cream-filled, wafer, chocolate, and digestive varieties. For many Iranians, classic biscuits such as Madare and Saghe Talaei are not only snacks, but also a reminder of childhood memories and family moments.