It was never meant to taste good, but it was meant to be dunked in a big glass of wine.
When biscotti comes up on the menu at an Italian restaurant, it's not often that anyone swaps out the idea of tiramisu or a decadent cheesecake for the dry cookie. Italian-American families might be the only ones who truly understand the significance of a biscotti cookie but to much of the world, the significance is lost, with not many redeeming qualities. Not only is this cookie semi-dry and very crunchy, to start with, but it's also bakedtwicewhich means that the texture and flavor are completely intentional. So, what's the deal with this strange cookie?
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As it turns out, biscotti goes all the way back to the Roman ages with the cookie being one of the first to travel well. In fact, the name itself comes from the Latin language which is something not many people realize, either. Even more so, the cookie was never intended to be a cookie nor was it ever intended to actually taste good, which makes it somewhat of a contradiction. Despite that, it remained a staple in the diets of many Romans and managed to hang on all the way into modern times, where it's now a staple in coffee shops and cafes.
The Origins Of This Strange Cookie
Modern-day biscotti is nothing like what it was centuries ago. Today, the cookie is commonly associated with Tuscany rather than its true Roman roots, a misconception that makes it sound a bit more romantic and intentional. In reality, the name of biscotti can be broken down into two Latin words: 'bis' which means 'twice' and 'coctum' or 'cotto' which means 'cooked.' So, together, biscotti received its namesake for being twice-cooked. 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. It was often the pride of the Romans to claim that these biscotti would last for 'centuries' and, in a sense, they did - as they're still baked to this day.
So, how did biscotti make its way to Tuscany? After the fall of the Roman Empire, the cookie traveled well - quite literally - emerging once again in the Tuscany region. It was here that the cookie was no longer needed for the purpose it was intended for, and, rather, was used as a leisurely snack. What made biscotti worth eating was the act of dipping it into a glass of sweet wine which was not only delicious but also somewhat of a Tuscan staple after some time.
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This made the cookie edible and softened its otherwise crunchy and too-crispy exterior, allowing diners to soak up all the flavors of the wine while also enjoying the soft texture of a cookie. It was also here that the trademark almond flavor was given to the biscotti, making it far more flavorful than anything else that could be dipped into wine. During ancientGreek times, bread was often dipped into wine as a means of breakfast or a snack - the Romans and Italians had similar ideas.
Modern-Day Biscotti Or, Rather, Cantucci
In Italy, asking for biscotti can be a bit confusing because there, Italians refer to these cookies, specifically, as cantucci. The term biscotti refers to any type of cookie that has a crunchy texture in Italy and can therefore be used to describe a wide range of cookies. When visiting Italy, these biscotti assortments can be found in bakeries and often include a range of cookies with similar textures and flavors. This type of cookie has made such an impression on Europe that other countries, including France and England, and even Germany and Greece, have their own versions of similar cookies. It's more commonly and socially-acceptable nowadays to dip biscotti into a cup of hot coffee or tea but that doesn't mean the practice of serving sweet wine with a side of biscotti has ended.
Throughout Italy, especially in Tuscany, visitors can find that the proper end to a meal still includes a glass of sweet wine and biscotti. The tradition has been ongoing for centuries and isn't likely to end anytime soon and if you're curious, try it! It's different than dipping biscotti in coffee, for sure, but you might like it much better, as the Italians do. Plus, it gives you an excuse to use up all that wine you have on-hand.
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