"Another evening and I crash to my bean bag after a hectic day. I lie down with a cup of tea, gazing at the same old sun that is busy ditching us again with his goodbye’s for the day. Every sip remind me of you – I am missing you and wonder, if you would have been here – I would have naughtily unwrapped you – would have held you in my hand would have winked at you would have quietly looked around and then slowly would have taken a bite. Would it hurt you anyways? – you know “I love u so so much” – because when I had to leave everything I loved, thankfully I still had a hope in you – I miss you with every sip of tea, where have you gone missing my “Britannia Marie”
My laziness has abandoned me from my Marie today. Its 15 April evening and I am hopelessly gulping the tea, to avoid remembering the taste of melting marie in my mouth. Nope Marie is not about any particular reason or mood for me. My loyalty continues needless of lovely mornings and in all those sweet nothings. I miss it on a sunny day and I equally miss it on a rainy day! For my Marie my life is incomplete without it!
My first tryst with the word biscuit has been etched in my memory forever. I still reminisce that moment when my dad was dictating me with spellings of the word biscuit my first dictation I wrote “BISKUT” and guess what happened “One tight slap” – So after that the word “Biscuit” kind of got engraved on my mind – forever and ever.
But the Biscuit history is a little different from my history.
Biscuit History – Marie History
Basically the word ’Biscuit’ is derived from the Latin words ’Bis’ (which meaning ’twice’) and ’Coctus’ (which means cooked or baked). Put together biscotti came into existence which is an Italian term. Biscuit became very popular initially because of their low water content, which was ideal food to store. It was then used as travelling food and has acted as a staple diet for sailors for centuries.
The Marie biscuit was fashioned by an English bakery in 1874 to commemorate the marriage of the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia to the Duke of Edinburgh. It became popular throughout Europe, particularly in Spain where, following the Spanish Civil War, the biscuit became a symbol of Spain’s economic recovery after bakers produced mass quantities to consume a surplus of wheat.
“Biscotti is said to have been a favourite of Christopher Columbus who discovered America”!
Leave aside Columbus; biscuit is something which has been essential in everyone’s life. From Parle G to Marie everyone has some or the other memory attached to biscuits. And for me that essential biscuit is called “Marie” to be precise “Britania Marie gold”.
My Encounter with Marie:
Hailing from a doctor’s family, where my dad insisted on eating light; my mom was particular about eating right! That’s how we got introduced to “Marie”. While my brother fought for his “Bourbon”, rest of the family continued believing in my mom’s health tips. That’s how “Marie” travelled from my school bag to college bag and now has made space in my laptop bag as well.
Taste of Marie:
My sister kept cribbing that “why these healthy things are so bland in taste” and majority of crowd second her opinion. Many people don’t prefer it with a simple reason that they find it “Dry”, “less sweet”, “No taste” and they find it unbearable to eat without any beverage. And as I am known for my “Weird taste” I like it for the same reasons for which people avoid it “its taste”. Apart from taste, the crispiness that it carries, it can be dunked into the tea and cherished for long.
Ingredients:
Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil and Invert Syrup, Milk Solids, Raising agents, Salt, Emulsifiers and dough conditioner.
Nutrition Information per 100g of product:
Carbohydrates: 77g
Protein 8 g
Fat 10.5 g
Saturated fatty acids 5 g
Mono unsaturated fatty acids 3.5 g
Poly unsaturated acids 1g
Trans fatty acids 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Energy 434 kcal
Health facts:
If you realize I have mentioned above “when I had to leave everything I loved, thankfully I still had a hope in you” -- most of you know that Marie is highly recommended biscuit by dieticians. It’s highly preferred by “calorie counting” people like me who are on a diet every other week. It is preferred because it is fortified with nutrients or added fiber as well as the fact that having just two of it and pushes your hunger for two to three hours.
About Manufacturer:
Britannia’s oldest brand enjoys a heritage that spans the last 50 years - and going strong. In a market swamped with me-too products and where even the name ’Marie’ has become generic, Britannia Marie Gold has maintained its stronghold. Today, the ever-popular Marie Gold is synonymous with the ’Tea Time Biscuit’. Its taste, crispiness and lightness make it a must for every tea break. It is the #1 brand in its category by a long shot. (Courtesy: https://britannia.co.in)
Packaging:
When Marie was christened with another name “Marie gold” they came up with a new and improved packet which is light yellow in colour along with shades of blue. It reminds you of morning sunrise. A pleasant feel and catchy as cover which are noticeable even when kept among thousand other biscuits packets.
Price:
Britannia Marie is a rupee more priced then its competitor Parle but then no one is bothered because Britannia is a world leader Marie biscuits. 90 gm handy packet will cost you INR 7, which is a decent deal.
Promotions:
Britannia has come a long way from its promotional tune “Ting Ting Tiding” and has promoted “Marie Gold” extensively. The promotional ads on air are so creative and innovative and it raises impulse to try one for sure. Especially the ad which says “Dip nahi kiya to chai kya piya” had the purpose to promote it as a “Tea Time Biscuit” and it really clicked well.
Funny Myths about Marie Biscuits:
“It’s all about sophisticated people” – Nope, even Gajodhar bhai of “swati fame” eats it.
“Its Dogs biscuit”- If it’s so, I am ready for “Bhoo Bho”
“I am not a diabetic so it’s not for me” - so wait till you get it so that you can have one.
“Am I fat to have that” – Sweetheart neither it will make you fat – so attack.
Well ‘Marie’ is the fastest growing segment within biscuits and before I clarify some more doubts on marie and sell it further, I have to have a quick Marie bite to ’Eat Healthy, Think Better’
I hope I have given enough reason to ditch your “Creamy Biscuits” for “Healthy and crunchy Marie” – You all can continue pondering as I finish my last sip of tea without my loving Marie and sing my favorite old one ---
“All I want is English Marie. Oh so English the real Marie.
Crispy, Crunchy, Oooooooh!”