The Marie biscuit, originating in Victorian London, has became a global teatime staple. Originally, it was created in 1874 by the Peek Freans bakery to commemorate the wedding of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia to Britain’s Duke of Edinburgh.
The biscuit swiftly gained popularity across Europe as a simple yet elegant accompaniment to tea, after being given the name 'Marie' in honor of the Duchess.
Marie's plain, lightly sweetened taste made it versatile: eaten plain, dipped in tea, or used in homemade desserts.
During the Spanish Civil War, Marie biscuits gained further fame in Spain as they were inexpensive to produce and became associated with comfort and resilience in hard times.
Soon, factories across Asia, Africa, and Latin America began producing their own versions.
In India, Marie biscuits became widely popular under brands like Britannia and Parle, turning into an everyday companion with chai.
Generations have grown up dunking the light, golden biscuit into steaming cups of tea, making it both nostalgic and universal.
What began as a royal tribute has become one of the most enduring and democratised biscuits in the world: a symbol of simple joys, shared across continents.
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