Water biscuit

Water biscuit

A water biscuit is a type of biscuit or cracker. Water biscuits are baked using only flour and water, without shortening or other fats usually used in biscuit production. They are thin, hard and brittle, and usually served with cheese or wine. Originally produced in the 19th Century as a version of the ship's biscuit, water biscuits continue to be popular in the United Kingdom, with the leading brands (Carr's, Crawfords and Jacob's) selling over seventy million packets a year.

Carr's water biscuits are sold as "table water crackers" in the United States. Several varieties are available.

In 1801 Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, Massachusetts, selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. The crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. This is where the American term "cracker" originated. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War. These were commercial versions/refinements of the hardtack biscuits which had long been used by the British Royal Navy and other European navies.

Several versions of water crackers exist in ex-British colonies, such as Jamaica, where "Excelsior" brand water crackers are a popular breakfast/snack staple. They are often served with a spread, including a spicy pepper-and-herring paste called Salmagundi.

External links

* [http://www.bentscookiefactory.com/ Website of Bent's Cookie Factory in Milton, MA, U.S.A., purveyors of "water crackers" and hardtack during the American Civil War]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • water biscuit — ► NOUN ▪ a thin, crisp unsweetened biscuit made from flour and water …   English terms dictionary

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  • water biscuit — n. a cracker made of water, flour, and often some shortening …   English World dictionary

  • water biscuit — noun a thin flour and water biscuit usually made without shortening; often served with cheese • Hypernyms: ↑cracker * * * ˈwater biscuit f6 [water biscuit water biscuits] noun ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • water biscuit — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms water biscuit : singular water biscuit plural water biscuits British a thin light biscuit that is often eaten with cheese …   English dictionary

  • water biscuit — noun A type of biscuit or cracker which is baked using only flour and water, without shortening or other fats. In the US, often called a water cracker …   Wiktionary

  • water biscuit — /ˈwɔtə bɪskət/ (say wawtuh biskuht) noun a thin, crisp biscuit prepared from flour and water. Also, water cracker …  

  • water biscuit — a crackerlike biscuit prepared from flour and water. [1780 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • water biscuit — noun a thin, crisp unsweetened biscuit made from flour and water …   English new terms dictionary

  • water biscuit — noun (C) a hard biscuit (1) made from flour and water …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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