People are just realising what the patterns on custard creams are
Custard creams are perhaps the most well-known biscuit in the UK.
Many people are just now realising what the patterns on custard cream biscuits are. The biscuits are believed to have originated in the UK back in 1908, and usually have an elaborate baroque design stamped onto them.
Many people have enjoyed the treat over the years, with them often being paired with a nice cup of tea. But a lot of custard cream fans have likely never wondered why they have the unique pattern that they do, with their signature stamped top layer.
Now, a history expert has explained all, leaving many people stunned. Bryony, a buff who works at the Manchester Museum, has shared all on Instagram.
In an informative video, she said: "Between the 1840s and 1890s in the UK there was a craze that was bigger than Pokémon cards. It was called the fern madness, Pteridomania.
"When trains and the train lines started to come to the UK, going to remote places became fashionable and so people would try and find things that were in those remote, cold places, things like ferns. It became a symbol of friendship, of good times, and intelligence of course.
"And that's why you see fern patterns on things like Victorian architecture, on birthday cards, and also the pattern on custard creams. They're some ferns unfurling."
People have been quick to react in the comments section, with one follower saying: "Fascinating! I always thought it was some design overhang from the art nouveau period." A second said: "Oh I’d always thought they were wrought iron. Thank you".
Biscuits fans may also find it interesting that custard creams contain custard powder, and not egg. Custard powder was invented by Alfred Bird, because his wife was allergic to eggs.
Food historian and author Lizzie Collingham told the BBC the addition of custard to a biscuit was revolutionary, adding: "It was seen as a modern, exciting thing to make a food. Biscuits were the first industrial food, the first food stuff to be produced by a machine; form mixing, kneading, rolling out, cutting out, baking, it could all be done with minimal intervention from people.
"To put custard powder in a biscuit... it brought together two things which represented industrial progress.”
