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m I added a brief summary of Jamaican water crackers which are in the reference picture. Jamaica is one of the only (if not the only) countries with their own version of water crackers outside of the UK. They are widely produced and consumed in Jamaica.
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{{short description|Type of biscuit or cracker}}
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{{Infobox prepared food
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{{More citations needed|date=April 2009}}
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{{Infobox food
| name = Water biscuit
| name = Water biscuit
| image = [[File:Crackers with herring and garlic sauce.jpg|250px]]
| image = Crackers with herring and garlic sauce.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Water biscuits with [[Herring (food)|herring]] in [[garlic]] cream sauce
| caption = Water biscuits with [[Herring (food)|herring]] in [[garlic]] cream sauce
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| alternate_name =
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| other =
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{{Refimprove|date=April 2009}}


A '''water biscuit''' or '''water cracker''' is a type of [[Biscuit#Biscuits in Commonwealth English|biscuit]] or [[Cracker (food)|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 [[hardtack|ship's biscuit]], water biscuits continue to be popular in the [[United Kingdom]], with the leading brands ([[Carr's]] and [[Jacob's]]) selling over seventy million packets a year{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}}.
A '''water biscuit''' ([[Commonwealth English]]) or '''water cracker''' ([[American English]]) is a type of savoury [[Cracker (food)|cracker]]. They are thin, hard and brittle, and usually served with cheese or wine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meaning of water biscuit in English |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/water-biscuit |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=Cambridge Dictionary}}</ref> Originally produced in the 19th century as a version of the [[hardtack|ship's biscuit]], water biscuits continue to be popular in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]], [[Ireland]], and the [[United Kingdom]], with the leading brands ([[Carr's]] and [[Jacob's]]) selling over seventy million packets a year. {{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} Water biscuits are also popular in [[Chile]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=McKay Chilean biscuit company history |url=https://www.nestle.cl/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/130-a%C3%B1os-de-mckay-una-marca-en-la-historia-de-chile |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=Galletas McKay}}</ref>


[[File:WaterBiscuit-Trio.jpg|thumb|265px|Three different varieties of water biscuit: Left: Supermarket Own Brand, Right: Excelsior from Jamaica, Top: Carr's Table Biscuit]]
[[File:WaterBiscuit-Trio.jpg|thumb|265px|Three different varieties of water biscuit: Left: Supermarket Own Brand, Right: Excelsior from Jamaica, Top: Carr's Table Biscuit]]
Carr's water biscuits are sold as Table Water Crackers in the [[United States]]. Several varieties are available. "Table Water" refers to water of a quality that is suitable for drinking at the table.<ref>OED. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/196785?redirectedFrom=table%20water#eid19427688</ref>

In 1801, [[G. H. Bent Company|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. 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.
In 1801, [[G. H. Bent Company|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. 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 Empire|British colonie]]s, 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 [[Solomon Gundy]].
Several versions of water crackers exist in ex-[[British Empire|British colonie]]s, such as Jamaica, where water crackers are a staple and are mass produced by several Jamaican brands. Jamaican water crackers are uniquely tough and are eaten with various meals, drinks and snacks.


==See also==
==See also==
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* [[Saltine cracker]]
* [[Saltine cracker]]
* [[Cracker (food)]]
* [[Cracker (food)]]
* [[Matzo]]
* [[Matzah|Matzo]]
* [[Hardtack]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Water Biscuit}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Water Biscuit}}
[[Category:Biscuits (British style)]]
[[Category:Biscuits]]

{{bread-stub}}
{{bread-stub}}
{{Breakfast-stub}}
[[es:Galletitas de agua]]
[[es:Galletitas de agua]]

Latest revision as of 12:58, 17 October 2024

Water biscuit
Water biscuits with herring in garlic cream sauce
TypeBiscuit or cracker
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Main ingredientsFlour, water

A water biscuit (Commonwealth English) or water cracker (American English) is a type of savoury cracker. They are thin, hard and brittle, and usually served with cheese or wine.[1] Originally produced in the 19th century as a version of the ship's biscuit, water biscuits continue to be popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, with the leading brands (Carr's and Jacob's) selling over seventy million packets a year. [citation needed] Water biscuits are also popular in Chile.[2]

Three different varieties of water biscuit: Left: Supermarket Own Brand, Right: Excelsior from Jamaica, Top: Carr's Table Biscuit

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. 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 water crackers are a staple and are mass produced by several Jamaican brands. Jamaican water crackers are uniquely tough and are eaten with various meals, drinks and snacks.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Meaning of water biscuit in English". Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  2. ^ "McKay Chilean biscuit company history". Galletas McKay. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
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