Water biscuit
{{short description|Type of biscuit or cracker}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2009}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Water biscuit
| image = Crackers with herring and garlic sauce.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Water biscuits with herring in garlic cream sauce
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| country = United Kingdom
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| main_ingredient = Flour, water
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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.{{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}} 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|date=February 2013}} Water biscuits are also popular in Chile.{{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}}
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
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