25-04-2025
Have you been eating your chocolate digestive wrong?
Since its creation in 1925, it's estimated that almost 5.8 billion packets of chocolate digestive biscuits have been sold in the UK alone, ITV News' Will Tullis reports
The creators of the chocolate digestive biscuit, which has been made for the last 100 years, believes people been eating the biscuit wrong for decades.
McVities, which makes one of Britain's most popular treats, says for 100 years people have eaten their digestive biscuits chocolate-side-up – when we should be eating them with the chocolate on the bottom.
At their factory in Harlesden in north London, the company makes 13 million chocolate digestives each day – around 9,000 a minute. Mcvities says the biscuits should be eaten with the Chocolate side down. / Credit: ITV News
Since its creation in 1925, it's estimated that almost 5.8 billion packets of chocolate digestive biscuits have been sold in the UK alone.
Bill Bryson, an American author described the snack as a 'British Masterpiece'.
On why people love the biscuit, Nina Sparks, Vice President of the supply chain for the UK and Ireland, said: 'It reminds you of coming home from school, the good times and the bad times, perfect with a cup of tea. It provides comfort for a lot of people.'
'In 100 years a lot has changed, but the chocolate digestive has stayed the same.'
'I've been doing it wrong all these years'.
The biscuits are not just a British favourite as they are now enjoyed in around 50 countries. Nearly 10 million packets are exported from the UK each year, with Australia being the biggest market.
The digestive name may not be the most appealing, but it comes from the belief that it had 'digestive' properties due to its use of baking soda in its original recipe.
As early as 1829, an advert in the Manchester Courier newspaper claimed that digestives could 'keep the body in a regular state'. An advert in the Manchester Courier from 1829 said the biscuit was good for digestion. / Credit: McVities
Fraiser, who has worked at the McVities factory for nearly three decades said the reason why the biscuit is such a favourite is due to its 'incredible taste, quality ingredients and the love from the British public.'
'The recipe hasn't changed in 100 years, it's just been refined and polished.
'It's a great ingredient, I don't know why people's tastes would change now. People love the chocolate digestive, and long may it continue.'
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