4 Things You Need To Know About Biscotti | Blog | Flora Fine Foods (2024)

4 Things You Need To Know About Biscotti | Blog | Flora Fine Foods (1)

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Dipped, dunked, or dry, the biscotti is a timeless cookie known to pair perfectly with a timeless drink. It is the sweet and sophisticated treat that Italians have hailed as a go-to snack for decades. Of course, the Italians weren’t able to keep their precious delicacy a secret from the rest of the world, so let’s get to know more about this sweet treat as we highlight the origin, how it became a dunking delicacy and the many flavors of biscotti.

1. The History of Biscotti – Biscotti comes from the Latin word biscoctus, which means twice-baked. While Italians use biscotti as an umbrella term, of sorts, to designate many different varietals of cookies, Americans use it as the name for this delicious long, crisp, twice-baked Italian cookie. The history of this long, crusty cookie is impressive dating all the way back to the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire – The original biscotti was Roman and designed more for convenience than as a leisurely treat. Travelers used this cookie as a long-lasting source of nourishment during long journeys. Biscotti was baked first to simply cook the ingredients and then a second time to dry them out completely, making them more durable and less-perishable for the long journey. The Roman Empire, as history tells us, fell in 455 C.E., and the popularity of the biscotti waned temporarily.

The Renaissance – Many years later, during the period known as the Renaissance, the treat re-emerged in Tuscany. As Italian lore would have it, a Tuscan baker brought them back to the community as he enjoyed serving them with the local sweet wine. Though the popular biscotti traces its roots to ancient Roman times, today’s are associated with the Tuscan region of Italy.

Tuscan Biscotti – In Tuscany, biscotti was referred to as Cantucci Di Prato. They began to be a treat, no longer the utility cracker that they once were for the Romans and were flavored with almonds from the almond groves in nearby Prato. If visiting Tuscany today, you’re sure to find cantucci in every pasticceria in Tuscany.

Coming to America – Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing the biscotti to America, as he needed a food source that had a long shelf-life during the long sail to American shores. American bakers put their own spin on the cookie, adding dried fruits and extract flavorings to add sweetness and flavor. As with most Italian foods, the American population embraced the biscotti, making it a pairing for wines, coffees and even a popular base for cheesecake crusts.

2. To Dunk or Not to Dunk – Now that we know the backstory, let’s quickly move on to the pressing question that has stood the test of time. To dunk or not to dunk? Is there really a question? Of course, we dunk! The real question is, what is your dunking liquid of preference? The dry, crunchy texture of the biscotti is perfect for dunking.

The Coffee Dunk – Some love to dunk it in their cappuccino or Americano coffee to let it soak up the warm caffeinated goodness for a perfect combination. The hardness of the biscotti is perfect for absorbing the heated liquid of your coffee and combining the bitter beans with the sweetness of your dessert (or breakfast) as the case may be.

The Vino Dunk – Purists would say the only liquid to dip your biscotti in is wine. As they do in Tuscany, you can dip your biscotti into rich red wines, especially those on the sweeter side. Marsala wine and Vin Santo are the wines of choices for dipping. Most connoisseurs on either side of the pond agree that dipping biscotti into a sweet Italian wine is the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal.

The Milk Dunk – Of course, there are those among us who love to dip cookies into milk, either warm or cold. Biscotti purists might scoff at this type of dunking, but if the dunk fits, we say go for it! Milk and cookies are also a match made in heaven.

3. The Many Flavors of Biscotti – While originally a practical cookie made for travel with little attention to flavorings and taste buds, it has certainly evolved into much more over the years with creative flavors and ingredients. It’s encouraged to find your favorite and then retry all the others just to be sure.

Flavors abound for these crusty beauties,including:

  • Almond
  • Cappuccino
  • Cranberry
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Pistachio

4. Creative Ideas for Serving Biscotti – Whiling away an afternoon at a café, serving a creative snack at a holiday gathering or ending the perfect meal with something sweet for the palate – all ways to enjoy biscotti. Let’s explore some of the other creative ways you can add this crunchy cookie to your culinary goals.

  • Paired with ice cream – Crumble biscotti into large chunks and sprinkle on top of ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt for a delicious treat that will be hard to resist.
  • Mix up the parfait – Replace the granola in your traditional parfait with biscotti delicious-ness, and breakfast will take a turn for the better.
  • Add something new to the fruit platter – Your party’s fruit platter just got a bit more sophisticated.
  • Take s’mores to the next level – Sub out boring graham crackers for biscotti and s’mores get even tastier.

Flora Fine Foods is dedicated to bringing the authenticity of Italy to our customers through traditional, pure and high-quality ingredients that can transport you to old world. Flora Fine Foods has a complete line of imported and authentic Italian foods and, of course, we are your source for the best biscotti this side of Tuscany. Whether you plan to enjoy with friends or alone, dip in wine or coffee, add to a recipe or enjoy the traditional way, biscotti is a natural choice when you want something sweet, sophisticated and beautifully-Italian.

Order your deliciousbiscotti today!

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4 Things You Need To Know About Biscotti | Blog | Flora Fine Foods (2024)

FAQs

What is special about biscotti? ›

Biscotti have a hard texture and are dehydrated thanks to the second bake. They are also mold-resistant, which is why they became the ideal food for sailors, including Christopher Columbus, who spent months at sea, no doubt munching on biscotti.

Why is it called biscotti? ›

The word biscotti is derived from the Latin biscoctus, meaning twice baked or cooked: The dough is formed into logs, baked, cooled and baked again. Whereas Italians use the word "biscotti" to refer to various cookies, Americans use the term to refer to the singular long, crisp, twice-baked Italian cookie.

How would you describe biscotti? ›

Biscotti is a sliced cookie made from a long piece of dough that has been baked, cut into individual pieces and finally re-baked to obtain characteristic texture and low moisture. The cookie is long and finger shaped. The double baking dries out the dough, giving it a crunchy texture.

When should you eat biscotti? ›

Since they are very dry, biscotti traditionally are served with a drink, into which they may be dunked. In Italy they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called vin santo. Outside of Italy, they more frequently accompany coffee, including cappuccinos and lattes, or black tea.

What culture is biscotti? ›

Biscotti are Italian almond biscuits originating from Tuscany. They are twice-baked, oblong-shaped, dry, crunchy, and are often dipped in a hot cup of coffee before being enjoyed.

What is the secret to making biscotti? ›

Biscotti as its name implies, means “twice baked”, and double baking is the secret to these crunchy Italian cookies. Their hard texture makes them perfect for dunking into your hot drink, or even wine.

Is there another name for biscotti? ›

If you're Italian, it's biscotti or cantucci. If you're Jewish, it's mandelbrot or mandel bread. If you're Greek, it's paximathakia. In Morocco, it's fekkas, and in the Ukraine, kamishbrot.

Is biscotti good for health? ›

The word "biscotti in Italian means "twice baked. The delicate, crisp biscuits we call biscotti are perfect accompaniments to coffee and are served in one form or another the world around. Biscotti are crisp because no fat is used in the preparation, making it a healthy dessert.

Is biscotti a healthy snack? ›

Biscotti are one of my favorite sweet indulgences. What's not to like? They're easy to make, very satisfying and relatively light and healthy since they're lower in fat and sugar than most cookies. They're also usually packed with heart healthy nuts.

What is a single biscotti called? ›

In a world where every single cookie is called a biscotto (the singular form of the word) there needs to be a word for what we know to be biscotti. That word is - yes, you guessed it - cantucci!

What flavor is a biscotti? ›

Classic biscotti flavors include vanilla, anise and almond. Since biscotti are made with less butter and sugar, they are a healthy cookie.

What goes with biscotti? ›

Biscotti pairs best with Vin Santo, Sherry, Late Harvest Wines, Ice Wines, Espresso, Coffee and Tawny Port. The hard-like cookie softens when paired with a beverage, allowing the nutty flavours to tickle your taste buds with its heavenly flavours.

Can you eat biscotti with milk? ›

The Milk Dunk – Of course, there are those among us who love to dip cookies into milk, either warm or cold. Biscotti purists might scoff at this type of dunking, but if the dunk fits, we say go for it! Milk and cookies are also a match made in heaven.

Can you eat biscotti without coffee? ›

Coffee is also a classic beverage with which to enjoy a biscotto: lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, or drip coffee. Whatever your go-to is, try it with biscotti. Equally delicious non-caffeinated pairings include herbal tea, hot chocolate, and milk (cold or frothed).

Why do people eat biscotti? ›

During Roman times, foods that were unleavened simply just traveled better which is why things such as bread and rolls were a no-go during long journeys. As such, biscotti was created as a way to provide food for travelers while also ensuring the food would last and wouldn't become even staler the longer it sat out.

What is biscotti called in Italy? ›

Traditional Italian biscotti are what we Italians called cantucci or, to give them their full name, Biscotti di Prato: they come, in fact, from Prato in Tuscany but they've been adopted in the whole Tuscany under the name of cantucci or cantuccini. Outside of Italy, they're called biscotti.

Are biscotti French or Italian? ›

From the Dark Ages came the Renaissance, and with it the reemergence of biscotti by an Italian baker named Antonio Mattei in the mid 1800's. His original recipe was awarded a prize at the Exhibitions in Florence in 1861, London in 1862 and Paris in 1867.

What color is biscotti? ›

What color is Biscotti? Biscotti color is a midtone golden yellow and part of our Yellows collection. Inspired by the perfect coffee break treat, try Biscotti in a kitchen or breakfast nook for a spot of happy, refreshing color.

Why is biscotti baked twice? ›

The goal is to make sure the dough is fully baked-through but not to the point of crispness—if it's baked too much, it will be difficult to slice and may even crack when you try. Biscotti is meant to be crisp, but only after the second round of baking. Before you slice it, wait until the log is cool enough to handle.

How do you keep biscotti moist? ›

The best containers to store your biscotti in are air-tight glass or metal containers. Have an old biscuit or cookie tin lying around? That'll make for a great biscotti container. You can also use a cookie jar or any glass jar to keep your biscotti in, like you might see in a coffee shop.

Is biscotti hard or soft? ›

Biscotti are hard, crunchy cookies as they are usually baked twice - the word biscotti is derived from Italian - "bis" meaning "twice" and "cotti" meaning "cooked". Usually the dough is formed into small loaf shapes (similar to a ciabatta loaf) and baked for around 20 minutes, then cooled slightly before slicing.

What kind of high is biscotti? ›

Biscotti successfully emulates the high of a sugar rush followed by the kind of satiated relaxation that usually comes from snarfing a bag of cookies. The small, colorful buds have a THC content of 21% or higher—making Biscotti one of the most popular strains available today.

Is biscotti masculine or feminine? ›

The Italian word for cookie is biscotto (masculine, plural: biscotti).

Is biscotti good for anxiety? ›

Biscotti relaxes both your mind and body, allowing you to dispel fogginess, lethargy, depression, and mood swings.

Is biscotti good for pain? ›

Medical Benefits of the Biscotti Strain

People with physical sickness can use this strain to treat their pains and it has also proven to work against cancerous elements and fibromyalgia pain.

How many calories are in 1 biscotti? ›

Biscotti (1 cookie) contains 19.7g total carbs, 18.6g net carbs, 6.3g fat, 2.9g protein, and 145 calories.

Is biscotti high in fat? ›

Nutritional Summary:

There are 145 calories in 1 serving of Biscotti (Italian Sugar Cookie). Calorie Breakdown: 39% fat, 53% carbs, 8% prot.

Is biscotti strain good for sleep? ›

Biscotti is a renowned indica that stands out for its potent ability to relieve pain and soothe the body. Any in search of the best weed for sleep will find themselves soon engrossed in the trance of a Biscotti high, which begins to weigh on the body and create conducive conditions for a long slumber.

Which type of cookie is biscotti? ›

What is biscotti? The twice-baked Italian cookies originate from the city of Prato. Unlike most cookies that form a dough that gets sliced or cut out, biscotti bakes in two oblong-shaped logs.

How hard should biscotti be? ›

After the first baking, the biscotti loaves should be firm and very lightly browned, but not hard. Loaves are ready to cut when you can touch them without burning yourself. Use a long serrated knife--especially if you have nuts or dried fruit in your biscotti.

Is biscotti better with oil or butter? ›

Olive oil works well in biscotti, making for good crumble and keep the cookie a bit softer than those made with solid fats.

How long does almond biscotti last? ›

Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Do you put eggs in biscotti? ›

Eggs bind the biscotti and also help with leavening. Oil adds tenderness and richness to the biscotti. Vanilla extract, salt, and anise or almond extract only serve to flavor the biscotti.

Is biscotti a bar cookie? ›

Bar cookies are made from a stiff dough that you roll into a log then bake. The bars are then cut into slices once baked. A well know bar type cookie is the biscotti. However, biscotti are different due to the fact that they go back in the oven after being sliced for a second baking time.

Are biscotti meant to be dipped? ›

Biscotti is one of the most popular foods to dip in your coffee – especially in Italy. In fact, it's literally designed and baked for dunking in mind. The crunch and density of a good piece of biscotti dipped in a steaming cup of coffee is unmatched.

What tea goes best with biscotti? ›

Oolong Tea

Oolong teas have a complex aroma, earthy, woody but a tint of sweetness, ranging between green and black teas. Light pastries can easily be paired with it, like vanilla pound cake, madeleine, biscotti and cookies.

Can biscotti be too hard? ›

While biscotti are indeed a hard, dry cookie, they can be too hard and dry sometimes.

Is biscotti high in cholesterol? ›

Besides, biscotti is also famous for its characteristic of 0% cholesterol - 0% transfat, so it will be a "high-recommended" choice to help lower cholesterol, protect the heart, and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Where did biscotti originate from? ›

Are biscotti a healthy snack? ›

Biscotti are one of my favorite sweet indulgences. What's not to like? They're easy to make, very satisfying and relatively light and healthy since they're lower in fat and sugar than most cookies. They're also usually packed with heart healthy nuts.

What does a biscotti taste like? ›

Biscotti is a delicious, often lightly sweetened snack that is great on its own, served with coffee or tea, or even as a post-meal dessert. If we look at how biscotti is made, it does fall quite close to the bread family, but it tastes more like a dense, crunchy cookie.

Is biscotti an exotic? ›

Yes, Biscotti is considered an exotic strain because of its potency and limited availability.

What is another name for biscotti? ›

If you're Italian, it's biscotti or cantucci. If you're Jewish, it's mandelbrot or mandel bread. If you're Greek, it's paximathakia. In Morocco, it's fekkas, and in the Ukraine, kamishbrot.

Is biscotti French or Italian? ›

Biscotti (/bɪˈskɒti/: Italian pronunciation: [biˈskɔtti]; English: twice-cooked), known also as cantucci ([kanˈtuttʃi]), are Italian almond biscuits that originated in the city of Prato. They are twice-baked, oblong-shaped, dry, crunchy, and may be dipped in a drink, traditionally Vin Santo.

What are biscotti called in Italian? ›

Traditional Italian biscotti are what we Italians called cantucci or, to give them their full name, Biscotti di Prato: they come, in fact, from Prato in Tuscany but they've been adopted in the whole Tuscany under the name of cantucci or cantuccini. Outside of Italy, they're called biscotti.

What does biscotti taste good with? ›

Marsala wine and Vin Santo are the wines of choices for dipping. Most connoisseurs on either side of the pond agree that dipping biscotti into a sweet Italian wine is the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal. The Milk Dunk – Of course, there are those among us who love to dip cookies into milk, either warm or cold.

Why is biscotti so hard? ›

Why Are Biscotti So Hard? Biscotti get their distinct, crunchy texture from their second bake. They are twice baked, rendering them almost entirely free of moisture, and therefore less likely to get moldy. This baking technique gives us the hard texture of biscotti we all know and love has more practical origins.

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