A question of immense biscuit-related import.

[nanila]

After seven-plus years in this country, I still have little moments of cultural revelation. Last weekend, it was biscuit-inspired. A friend had brought over a packet of Hob Nobs. I somehow failed to notice them until there were only three left. I absent-mindedly removed one from the packet, dunked it in my tea, placed it in my mouth and experienced a shock.

There was no chocolate on it.

I had hitherto never eaten a pure, unadulterated Hob Nob. Like just about everything else, I assumed that because Hob Nobs came with chocolate coating, they were the better for it.

This is not true. Not at all. A Hob Nob devoid of chocolate is not only delicious, it is better than a Hob Nob coated in chocolate.

I had to eat the other two to make sure, of course.

What do you think?

Poll #9264 A very British question

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23

View Respondents

Hob Nobs are

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best left unadulterated
15 (75.0%)

best with a thin layer of chocolate
5 (25.0%)

By forcing you to choose between these options, I am

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terribly cruel.
4 (20.0%)

enforcing the fallacy of binary opposites.
11 (55.0%)

committing a crime against chocolate.
1 (5.0%)

failing also to provide the option that says "Hob Nobs are a travesty of a biscuit that should not exist."
3 (15.0%)

forgiven because I have enabled the ticky here.
15 (75.0%)

allowing you to tell me that you like your Hob Nobs any way they make 'em.
7 (35.0%)

Comments

[azurelunatic]

I have not tried them! But I am sure that they are good.

[nanila]

They are very nice indeed. If I weren't fairly certain they'd be crushed in the process, I'd post some to you.

[chickenfeet]

I thought Hob Nobs were Australian

[nanila]

I don't think so? They're made by McVitie's, so I guess that makes them Scottish.

[chickenfeet]

I see they were launched in 1984 which was the year I left the UK. I remember seeing them in Australia in the early 90s but they must have been imports.

[lark_ascends]

As an Australian: what are Hob Nobs?

[cxcvi]

They are a buiscuit that's... kinda oaty, and... *gives in and uses the internet* yeah *internet was no help*. Oaty and awesome.

[lark_ascends]

Heeeeee. And your icon is very appropriate.

[azurelunatic]

From a US baking point of view, from the recipes I looked at, basically oatmeal cookies with some corn syrup.

[djm4]

I assume you've tried dark chocolate Hob Nobs? For me, they're the best, but I'll happily eat an entire packet of any variety, given the chance. ;-)

[nanila]

I have! I don't remember them being as nice, but it's been a while since I ate a dark chocolate Hob Nob. I think extensive testing may be required. I can conduct the tests while I paint the front door this weekend. :D

[cxcvi]

I prefer the dark chocolate ones; the milk chocolate are just a little too sweet for me, but the dark are just right.

[miss_s_b]

Chocolate-free biscuits are the best ones to have in one's house should I be visiting (unless you prefer to have some biscuits left when I go, in which case buy chocolatey ones)

[nanila]

Do you like ginger nuts? Ginger nuts don't stand a chance in our house. :D

[miss_s_b]

I love ginger nuts; to be honest I love chocolate, but it may well put me in hospital :(

[cxcvi]

This reminds me of a friend of mine who is studying at Cambridge. When he was preparing to move down for his first year (he lives near Liverpool), he asked me if they have chocolate Hobnobs in the South. A few days later, I saw them while out shopping, and sent him a text to make him happy, although thinking about it now I'm not sure that Bristol is a good indicator for Cambridge.

[nanila]

It's important to scout these things out in advance, just in case you get homesick. For instance, I know a couple of places in London where I can procure dreadfully sweet American treats that no sane British person would touch.

[cxcvi]

Very true.

Is there anywhere good for falafel in Cambridge?

[nanila]

I think Mill Road is the best place for pretty much all non-European food in Cambridge. There's a large East Asian shop where I get all my supplies for Filipino cooking, for instance, but there are also Middle Eastern restaurants and shops on that street.