What could be more British than a mug of tea and a digestive biscuit? Britain is known world over for being a nation of tea drinkers. I once read this habit stems from the days of the British Empire, when many of the colonies were tea growing countries; India, Kenya and tea from China via Hong Kong.
Other European countries such as France had more colonies in coffee growing countries and still drink more coffee than tea – and it is a common complaint of ex-pat residents that they cannot get a decent cup of “proper” tea.
The very British digestive biscuits are very easy to make at home, and so much more satisfying and tasty than the shop bought version. In a twist on the classic I have made this biscuits with Typhoo tea flavoured sugar and milk to give a subtle tea flavour.
- 5 tea bags we used Typhoo
- 70 g sugar
- 80 ml milk
- 50 g white flour
- 150 g wholemeal flour
- 150 g medium oatmeal or use porridge oats, lightly ground in a spice grinder
- 150 g butter
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ tsp salt
-
Cover three Typhoo teabags with the sugar and leave in a sealed container to infuse for at least 24 hours (we made a big batch for use in other recipes).
-
Warm the milk until nearly boiling, add the remaining two tea bags, and allow to steep as it cools to room temperature, then squeeze the teabags out and discard.
-
Mix the dry ingredients, then either dice the butter into small pieces or grate into the mixing bowl.
-
Rub in the butter to a breadcrumb consistency.
-
Add enough of the tea infused milk to bring the dough together into a ball.
-
Wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge for 15 minutes.
-
Preheat an oven to 160 degree C (Fan)/Gas mark 4, and roll out the dough between 2 pieces of clingfilm to about 4mm thick.
-
Use a biscuit cutter to cut out circles, and bake on a parchment paper covered baking sheet for about 12-15 mins.
-
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 mins before transferring to a cooling rack.
-
Enjoy with a mug of Typhoo tea!
Enjoy your freshly baked digestives with a cup, or mug of Typhoo tea – the question is to dunk or not to dunk?
Recipe commissioned by Typhoo, all opinions our own.
Helen, love digestives and, even more, tea. So I will definitely want to try these!
Let me know how they go! We love biscuits and a cup of tea too!
Tea IN the biscuit – woman, you’re a genius. I need these right now. I am definitely trying this. So amazing.
Admittedly it is subtle, but it certainly is there. If you dunk it is tea in the biscuit in the tea!
Love digestives and love this recipe.
I have given up buying biscuits from supermarkets as they just taste of sugar. I started buying them from a small organic shop but they can be quite pricey so I really welcome this recipe. Interesting with the addition of tea. Thank you!
Thanks Alida, I agree re the hidden sugar, it is far better to make your own if you can.
I had never thought of making digestives, but they look straightforward. I’ll have to try!
Let me know how you get on.
Tea IN the biscuits. What a brilliant idea! I wonder if I can do something similar with coffee?
I can see no reason why not! I love the idea!
Nice rustic biscuits. Prefer to dunk a rich tea – they don’t fall apart.
My homemade digestives hold up very well to dunking Archie!
Love digestives, love tea so I think I’ll love this recipe.
the question is to dunk or not to dunk?
I’ve never had homemade digestive biscuits before, I bet they’re really tasty. Love the idea of infusing them with tea – and then dipping them in more tea, of course :)
Lots and lots of tea!
clever idea and I love the tea flavour in them! (not for dunking in coffee then I guess!)
Well you could. I might make a coffee version now!
I’m mad about tea infused food….thinking that sugar might make a nice hostess gift or stocking stuffer. YUM!
It would make the perfect present!
thanks for the post. very helpful to make digestive biscuits
Love these Digestives – perfect with a cuppa;-)
Thanks Camilla – to dunk or not to dunk?
I’m not a dunker at all, can’t stand the crumbs in the bottom of the cup, but tea IN the biscuits sounds like a great idea!
Me too, but you only get crumbs if you dunk for too long. Timing is crucial.