A digestive biscuit, sometimes referred to as a sweetmeal biscuit, is a semi-sweet biscuit or cookie, popular in the United Kingdom and in other Commonwealth countries(including the Republic of Ireland). The name “digestive” derived from the belief that they had antacid properties due to the use of bicarbonate of soda when they were first developed.
The digestive biscuit was invented by McVitie’s in Edinburgh in 1892 by Alexander Grant. They were advertised as aiding digestion, yet subsequent scientific research has concluded this is untrue. While rumours exist that consequently it is illegal for them to be sold under that name in the USA, in fact they are widely available in imported food sections of grocery stores and by mail order. The Original Digestive biscuit is still the ninth biggest biscuit brand in the UK.
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A biscuit averages around 70 calories, although this sometimes varies according to the factors involved in its production.
hm bicarbonate of soda. how silly.