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Nice Biscuits

Nice Biscuits

It’s nice to be nice.  Especially when being nice rewards you with a nice biscuit.  Nice biscuits are oblong, thin biscuits which are coated with a mixture of sugar and coconut to give them their distinctive taste.  They normally have little bumps along each edge, and the word ‘NICE’ written in big letters right down the middle to remind you that you are indeed eating a Nice biscuit.

Ok – we’ll cut to the chase.  Is it pronounced “Nice like piece” or “Nice like mice”?  The answer – Nice like piece!

Whilst some nice biscuits are coated with pieces of dessicated coconut the majority simply have sugar crystals sprinkled on top.  The coconut flavour is created by adding small pieces of coconut into the biscuit dough itself.  If you’d like to learn how to make the perfect nice biscuit then why not check out our Nice Biscuits Recipe?

Nice biscuits are quite popular in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, and have been enjoyed by people there for many years. They are often served with tea or coffee, and are a popular choice for an afternoon snack or dessert.  They are widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores, and can also be found in many coffee shops and cafes. Despite their popularity, Nice biscuits are not as well known in other parts of the world, and are less commonly found outside of Europe.

History of Nice Biscuits

Not many people are aware that the Nice biscuit actually has nothing at all to do with the French city of Nice, and is indeed an English biscuit.  They were first baked in the 1890’s and appeared in  the London Army & Navy Stores catalogue where they were apparently a fashionable choice.  Writing the word NICE on the side was simply a marketing trick to help the Nice biscuits stand out from the competition, and to remind customers just how nice they were!

A commenter revealed that in 1929 the Hull Daily Mail contained an ad for Huntley and Palmers Nice Biscuits utilising the expression “Brilliant as the town after which they are named”.  Australian biscuit manufacturer, Arnott’s stepped in to say: “Nice biscuits were named after the city in the South of France and pronounced the same as that city.

The biscuit waned in popularity throughout the war years as coconut became a rare commodity in the UK, but nice biscuits have enjoyed something of a resurgence in the last few decades.

In addition to its delicious taste, the Nice biscuit is also known for its affordable price. It can be found in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout the UK, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option for snacking.

 

2 thoughts on “Nice Biscuits

  1. Atik Bhorania

    Need to ready book

  2. Lisa

    It’s Nice like the French town, surely! The coconut is a nod to the exotic palm trees on the promenade.

    Thanks for the recipe, I’ve been looking for one that works for ages.

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