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Are Jaffa cakes biscuits?
- Thread starter Biscuit
- Start date
Jaffa Cakes: Biscuit or Cake?
The source of one of the most complex conundrums ever to challenge mankind:
Is it a cake or is it a biscuit?
These small circular sponges topped with chocolate and squidgy orange stuff have been the subject of much debate over the years. Even the British government has become embroiled in this web of snack-related intrigue. At present the Jaffa Cake is classified as a cake but the British government is attempting to get it reclassified as a biscuit. This would mean it would come under a higher tax bracket as biscuits aren't as perishable as cakes, or something technical like that.
It is not clear how much more expensive the Jaffa Cake would become should this proposal go through Parliament, but it's possible they could move from the realms of 'everyday favourite' to become more a much more exclusive item. In which case, they could end up being treated similarly to fine wines, so that in the future, small groups of Jaffa Cake connoisseurs might be found in darkened cellars discussing texture, nose, and full-bodied flavour.
Whatever happens, the Jaffa Cake will retain a unique place in the biscuit/cake market
The source of one of the most complex conundrums ever to challenge mankind:
Is it a cake or is it a biscuit?
These small circular sponges topped with chocolate and squidgy orange stuff have been the subject of much debate over the years. Even the British government has become embroiled in this web of snack-related intrigue. At present the Jaffa Cake is classified as a cake but the British government is attempting to get it reclassified as a biscuit. This would mean it would come under a higher tax bracket as biscuits aren't as perishable as cakes, or something technical like that.
It is not clear how much more expensive the Jaffa Cake would become should this proposal go through Parliament, but it's possible they could move from the realms of 'everyday favourite' to become more a much more exclusive item. In which case, they could end up being treated similarly to fine wines, so that in the future, small groups of Jaffa Cake connoisseurs might be found in darkened cellars discussing texture, nose, and full-bodied flavour.
Whatever happens, the Jaffa Cake will retain a unique place in the biscuit/cake market
tinx
Well-known member
I will not accept Jaffa cakes being refered to as biscuits. For a start they are stocked in the cake section of tescos and not the biscuit section.
Thats good enough for me.
Thats good enough for me.
Soton Seagull
Well-known member
Definately a mongrel of the snack world. A cake accidently took it from some randy biscuit and we end up with a cross breed. Would definately not qualify for cake crufts.
JJ McClure
Go Jags
I think you'll find the answers in the name.
tinx
Well-known member
I prefer cake bars......
There was a ruling by the House of Lords that a Jaffa Cake is in fact a cake. This is a result of a claim by HMC&E VAT inspectors that they are biscuits, and as such qualify as confectionery, which is standard (17.5%) rated.
McVities barrister brought to the courtroom a giant Jaffa cake and asked that it be left overnight. A biscuit would normally go soggy under such circumstances, but a cake would go stale. Because the Jaffa cake went stale it was deemed to be a foodstuff, which attracts VAT at 0%, and allows them to be sold cheaper to the public.
Any further tax advice needed?
McVities barrister brought to the courtroom a giant Jaffa cake and asked that it be left overnight. A biscuit would normally go soggy under such circumstances, but a cake would go stale. Because the Jaffa cake went stale it was deemed to be a foodstuff, which attracts VAT at 0%, and allows them to be sold cheaper to the public.
Any further tax advice needed?
Curious Orange
Punxsatawney Phil
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EATING JAFFA CAKES:
1) Hold cake with thumb and forefinger at opposite sides of the circumference.
2) Nibble the chocolate away from the top of the cake, rotating the cake as necessary and taking care not to damage the orange centre.
3) Use tongue to prise the orange centre away from the sponge base, again taking care not to damage the orange. Carefully hold the orange centre while you quickly consume the sponge base. As an alternative you might let the sponge soak in your mouth until it melts away instead.
4) Quickly slurp the orange centre into your mouth and let it slowly melt on your tongue.
1) Hold cake with thumb and forefinger at opposite sides of the circumference.
2) Nibble the chocolate away from the top of the cake, rotating the cake as necessary and taking care not to damage the orange centre.
3) Use tongue to prise the orange centre away from the sponge base, again taking care not to damage the orange. Carefully hold the orange centre while you quickly consume the sponge base. As an alternative you might let the sponge soak in your mouth until it melts away instead.
4) Quickly slurp the orange centre into your mouth and let it slowly melt on your tongue.
Tooting Gull
Well-known member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 11,033
I casn see the EU getting involved in this one, sounds precisely the sort of thing to happily waste months and millions of pounds on. Because the density of a Jaffa Cake doesn't meet the required Brussels-led density criteria all boxes must be rebranded 'Jaffa biscuits', and can only use oranges from a specified grove near Seville, or risk prosecution.
Mental Lental
Well-known member
tinx said:
That is actually incorrect, they are in the biscuit section at tescos.
The conundrum continues.......
the Judge demanded a 12 inch
Where is Gunter when we need him
Where is Gunter when we need him