Biscuits, so simple yet so heartwarming. We all have some connection to biscuits, be it grandma's biscuit recipes or having them with tea after a long day. It is also hard to get bored of biscuits because of the limitless varieties you can find worldwide. However, are all biscuits Halal, Vegan and Vegetarian?
Unfortunately, not all biscuits are Halal, Vegan and Vegetarian. They are popular all over the world. Biscuits are not reserved for any specific region, but recipes have been passed down and altered to suit different pallets. So how would you know which ones are suitable for you to consume or not? First, let's look at how it all began.
How Biscuits Came to Exist
Biscuits first originated in ancient times when people dried slices of bread for easy storage. Their history goes back as far as the Romans, who called these rusks because they were twice-baked. Initially, biscuits were only made of flour and water and baked twice to make rusks as we know it today, but not quite. Eventually, people began adding lard and baking powder to improve taste and texture.
The Diversification of Biscuits
As time went on and people experimented with baking, they invented countless biscuit recipes, and they were divided into the four main types mentioned earlier. Rolled biscuits are among the most popular types, using baking powder quick-bake bread. Drop biscuits are similar, except they contain more milk or liquids and softer textures.
Scones are typically unsweetened cakes made from flour, fat, and milk but can be sweetened and have fruits added. Shortcakes are crispy, and crumbly cakes are made with plenty of butter, giving it its name. However, biscuits are not restricted to these categories; of course, anybody can experiment with existing recipes or make up their own!
Halal, Vegan and Vegetarian Biscuits: Finding Alternative Options
That's the beauty of a biscuit. If you remember a specific type of biscuit you enjoyed as a child, but the ingredients do not align with your needs, you can make Halal, Vegan and Vegetarian versions. You could experiment by swapping non-vegan, non-Halal ingredients with vegan and halal ones. and you may still end up with a biscuit just as good or even better than you wanted.
You can find alternatives if you do not want to bake it yourself with halal and vegan ingredients. For example, European Oreo biscuits are not halal, but you can order Halal-certified Oreos from another country. And if you are vegan, you can find vegan versions too!