We're eating chocolate digestives the wrong way
Some people dunk them in piping hot cups of tea. Others devour them in a single mouthful.
But the boss of the factory that has been making McVitie's chocolate digestives for 100 years claims the nation has been consuming them wrongly.
Anthony Coulson, the general manager at the company's chocolate refinery and bakery in Stockport, said the biscuit was supposed to be eaten with the chocolate side facing down.
He told the BBC: 'It's the world's most incredible debate, whether you have the chocolate on the top or the chocolate on the bottom.'
About 80 million packets of chocolate digestives are made every year and it was named as the nation's favourite dunking biscuit in a 2009 poll.
It also previously came top in a university study to find the best dunking biscuit.
The digestive was first developed in 1839 by two Scottish doctors to aid digestion. And in 1925, chocolate was added for the first time.
Lizzie Collingham, the author of The Biscuit: The History of a Very British Indulgence told the BBC's World at One programme that Bath Olivers were the first biscuit to come out 'covered in chocolate' before the First World War.
She added: 'I think the delay for McVitie's is because the First World War gets in the way. And then in 1925 they come out and slather their digestives in chocolate.'
The centenary of the chocolate digestive's creation was marked with displays at London landmarks on Wednesday evening. A 360-degree rotating projection of the biscuit lit up the London Eye and Tower Bridge, where there was also a fireworks display.
Next up in the celebrations is a pop-up store – The McVitie's Chocolate Digestives Experience – which will open in London next month.
In 1998, Dr Len Fisher, a physicist and honorary research fellow at Bristol University, used a hi-tech Instron stress-tester to calculate the breaking point of different biscuits when dunked in hot tea.
Chocolate digestives were found to withstand at least eight seconds, compared to a mere three to four seconds for ginger nuts and Hobnobs.
The study found the chocolate coating protected the biscuit from the effects of the hot tea.
McVitie's divided opinion in 2013 when it changed the recipe for the biscuit, adding around 3 per cent more chocolate.
A survey by consumer group Which? at the time found that almost two thirds of shoppers preferred the original recipe, saying the new biscuit was less crunchy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
24 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week to return for second year
The UK's first ever Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week is returning for a second year - promising even more resources, expert insights, and practical solutions to combat one of the most pressing housing and health crises. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Following the overwhelming success of its inaugural year, it will return from October 20-26, continuing its mission to tackle the widespread issue of damp and mould in homes across the UK. This year's campaign comes at a crucial time, as landmark reforms are set to compel landlords to fix dangerous homes or face the full consequences of the law. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Awaab's Law, coming into effect from October, will require social landlords to investigate and remedy damp and mould issues within strict timeframes. Landlords who fail to comply will be held accountable in court, ensuring social tenants have the legal power to demand safe and healthy living conditions. Tony Boyle, Regional Director at Aico The law, a legacy of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died after being exposed to mould in his Rochdale home, is a vital step toward transforming the safety and quality of social housing in the UK. Social housing residents in Scotland will also be given greater protection against damp and mould in their homes through the introduction of Awaab's Law. The Scottish Government intends to introduce amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will broaden Ministers' powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector. Launched by home life safety specialists Aico, the first-ever Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week was dedicated to ending the scourge of damp and mould, and received widespread backing from MPs, landlords, housing professionals, and lobbying groups - earning recognition at the highest levels, including a commendation from the King. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With an estimated seven million UK households affected by damp and mould, and the issue costing the NHS over £2.5 billion every year, the campaign has become a vital platform for raising awareness and driving action. Last year's campaign saw over 600 participants join expert-led webinars, with media coverage reaching more than three million people across press, radio and TV. It also received the backing of renowned architectural expert Professor Timothy Sharpe from the University of Strathclyde, a member of the government's SAGE advisory group during the COVID-19 pandemic, who specialises in indoor ventilation and transmission, as well as lobbying groups like Healthy Homes Hub and housing groups. As the campaign gears up for its second year, organisers are determined to build on its momentum, with an even greater focus on practical solutions, industry collaboration, and empowering residents with knowledge and resources. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tony Boyle, Regional Director at Aico, said: 'The response to the first Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week was fantastic, with huge engagement from housing associations, tenants and policymakers. 'But that was just the beginning. This year, we're aiming to reach even more people, spark more action, and continue making progress towards healthier homes for all. 'With the introduction of Awaab's Law, there will now be a legal mandate to tackle damp and mould with urgency. We want to ensure landlords, tenants and housing professionals have the resources they need to understand their responsibilities and take meaningful action.' Damp and mould produce allergens, irritants, mould spores, and other toxins that are harmful to health. The NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion a year on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing. When wider societal costs such as ongoing healthcare are taken into consideration, the figure leaps to £15.4 billion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The scale of this issue is enormous, but by working together, we can make a real impact. 'We want to see policy changes, investment in housing standards, and a shift in how damp and mould are tackled at every level,' Tony added. For more information and updates, visit
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
BBC Radio Scotland broadcaster Bryan Burnett shares cancer diagnosis with Get it On audience and announces break from programme
BBC Radio Scotland broadcaster Bryan Burnett announced that he will be taking a break from his popular early evening programme Get it On, to undergo treatment for appendiceal cancer. In a short statement Bryan explained that a tumour had been discovered during surgery to remove his appendix earlier this year and that, although appendix cancer is incredibly rare, it is treatable and he is expected to make a full recovery. He went on to say that his treatment will begin next week and involves complex abdominal surgery and chemotherapy. He added that Grant Stott would be stepping in to look after the show in his absence and thanked his colleagues for their support and encouragement since he received the news. Bryan said: 'I've experienced the most incredible care and kindness from the NHS staff who have been looking after me. My surgeon is a Get it On listener so I know I'm in good hands. 'I will really miss the music and the chat when I'm off but our listeners have given me hundreds of great playlists so that will keep me going over the next few months.' Hayley Valentine, director BBC Scotland added: 'Bryan is one of our most popular broadcasters on Radio Scotland and I know listeners will join us in wishing him well as he embarks on his treatment. We look forward to welcoming him back to the Get it On studio once he's recovered.' BBC Scotland Press Office
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
BBC Radio Scotland presenter takes break for cancer treatment
BBC Radio Scotland broadcaster Bryan Burnett has announced that he will be taking a break from his programme to undergo treatment for a rare 59, who presents the early evening Get it On show told listeners he was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer after having his appendix removed earlier this said the cancer, while "incredibly rare", is treatable and he is expected to make a full recovery after treatment which will involve complex abdominal surgery and Grant Stott will fill in while Burnett recovers. Get it On is a popular evening show which airs on BBC Radio Scotland from 18:00 on plays requests from listeners which match a theme set each Burnett presented Brand New Country, a country music show on BBC Radio Scotland for 15 years and has had stints on Radio Clyde and Northsound. Surgeon is a Get it On listener "I've experienced the most incredible care and kindness from the NHS staff who have been looking after me. My surgeon is a Get it On listener so I know I'm in good hands," he said."I will really miss the music and the chat when I'm off but our listeners have given me hundreds of great playlists so that will keep me going over the next few months."He delivered the news to his listeners directly in an emotional announcement during his live show on Thursday evening."I want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all my brilliant producers for all the hand holding and all the encouragement they've given me since they found out my news," he said. "I'm sure they'll let you know how I'm doing over the next few weeks". Hayley Valentine, director BBC Scotland said: "Bryan is one of our most popular broadcasters on Radio Scotland and I know listeners will join us in wishing him well as he embarks on his treatment."We look forward to welcoming him back to the Get it On studio once he's recovered."
