Biscotti cookies

Biscotti cookies (or as it is also often called biscotto) are a popular Italian confectionery product, which is a rather dry cookie like crumbs with a characteristic curved and long shape. It is noteworthy that in translation from Italian biscotti means twice baked, which directly determines the process of making this cookie.

By the way, biscotti in Italy is considered the common name of cookies. A special type of biscotti cookie is cantucci, a type of cookie that is common in Tuscany. It is prepared on the basis of wheat flour, granulated sugar, butter and eggs.

According to the original recipe, biscotti cookies were made with the addition of almonds, while today they are prepared with other additives - dried fruits, candied fruits, nuts and chocolate. Biscotti cookie dough is formed as a loaf, which is then baked in an oven.

The finished product is cut into slices that are re-baked. By the way, after baking, such crackers are often dipped in melted chocolate, which adds a savory note and great sweetness to the biscotti. You can store finished cookies for several months.

As in Italy, in other countries biscotti cookies are also known as Biscochus, Biscotti di Prato or Cantuccini (small corners). Due to the fact that biscotti is a rather dry cookie, it is most often consumed with any drinks. In Italy, for example, biscotti cookies are commonly served with dessert wine (Vin Santo), while Americans prefer to eat them with black tea or coffee. And in Spain, traditionally biscotti cookies are accompanied by a shot of sweet dessert wine.

The culinary history of this product is quite long - according to some reports, the first Italian biscotti were prepared in the 13th century in the city of Prato, in Tuscany. Often biscotti cookies were used during war or long journeys, as they could be stored for a very long time.

By the way, the Roman writer and polymath Pliny the Elder said that biscotti cookies would be popular even after centuries and he was not mistaken. And Christopher Columbus calls it his favorite type of cookie and often took it with him on long sea voyages.