You’ve been eating choc Digestives all WRONG – McVitie’s boss divides opinion by saying how you should consume snack
MCVITIE’S boss has divided opinion by saying people have always eaten chocolate digestives incorrectly.
About 80 million packets are made every year, with all of the chocolate made in Greater Manchester.
Anthony Coulson, general manager in Stockport, said the teatime staple was originally meant to be eaten with the chocolate-covered side facing down.
“It’s the world’s most incredible debate, whether you have the chocolate on the top or the chocolate on the bottom,” explained Mr Coulson, who admitted he was a chocolate-on-top man.
The factory opened in 1917, with the chocolate digestive launched eight years later, about a quarter of a century after the plain variety.
The name was inspired by the belief that the baking powder in the recipe would help with digestion.
And although people might think of the chocolate digestive as being topped with chocolate, the company has said that as the plain biscuits pass through a “chocolate reservoir”, the chocolate actually coats the underside of it.
Lynn Loftus, who has worked at the factory for 36 years, called the biscuit “timeless”, adding that she thought it would be around for many years to come.
Craig Leech, who has worked at McVitie’s for 21 years, started off in the factory by putting the chocolate on top of the biscuits.
“I just come in with a positive attitude. I know the people and the products inside out,” said Mr Leech, who is now a planning manager for the refinery.
Alix Knagg, who has been working there for six months, said the chocolate digestive was “still a great product 100 years on”.
Consumers have been quick to respond to the news and one exclaimed: “I’ve got to 55 years of age without ever thinking about whether the chocolate should be on top or at the bottom.
“Not happy though that I’ve missed out on the ‘world’s most incredible debate’.”
Another added: “But the image on the packet has chocolate side up. Even in the adverts.
“They’ll be saying pizza is being eaten upside down soon.”
“I solve the problem by never eating one at a time and “sandwiching” 2 together, either chocolate to chocolate or biscuit to biscuit.
“Go on, do it, you know you want to!” joked a third.
Meanwhile, London’s most famous landmarks were lit up with dazzling light projections to mark 100 years of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives.
The London Eye became a towering tribute with a jaw-dropping 360-degree rotating projection of the beloved biccie.
Tower Bridge joined the biscuit birthday bash with a rolling showreel of fireworks, balloons and confetti. While County Hall followed suit, stopping the passers-by in their tracks.
The ambitious projections took eight weeks of meticulous planning and precision mapping to perfectly align the visuals onto each landmark using cutting-edge hologauze and projection wizardry.
Next up in the celebrations – The McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives Experience – will open in London this May.
Set in Piccadilly Circus, the immersive concept store promises to be a biscuit-lovers’ dream with bonkers bakes, must-have merch and Digestives-themed art.
Entry is free, and it’s open for one weekend only – from Friday 2 May to Monday 5 May at Below the Lights, Piccadilly Circus.
Other Choccy News
An iconic chocolate biscuit branded “Aussie gold” launched in UK supermarkets for the first time.
Chocolate fans were rejoicing because Tim Tams were finally available to buy across the country.
Originally inspired by British Penguin biscuits, Tim Tams were launched by Australian biscuit manufacturer Arnott’s in 1964.
They’re comprised of two chocolate biscuits sandwiched together with chocolate cream, coated in chocolate.
Three different flavours are now available including Original, Dark and Chewy Caramel and you can get them for £2.50 at Waitrose and Ocado.
Earlier this year, others yelled “it’s a party in my mouth” as B&M rolled out a new M&M flavour also only seen in the land down under.
The retailer is stocking a Mocha Mudcake version of the classic snack after launching it down under in July last year.
Now the quirky flavour has landed in B&M, with shoppers keen to snap it up.
Instagram page Newfoodfindsuk posted a photo of the 130g bag of sweet online with almost 150 giving the post a like.
Cadbury Twirl Bites in Caramilk and also strawberry also launched last year.
Eagle-eyed foodies spotted the treats, titled “Aus Twirl” in B&M.
Retro food fans will also be pleased to know that some of their favourite “nostalgic” snacks are back on the shelves.
Most people have a favourite chocolate bar or crisp flavour they would love to see return – and we can now reveal some that have.
Aldi made biscuit lovers’ dreams come true when it revealed it was bringing back the beloved Elkes Sports Shortcake biscuits.
Cadbury’s iconic gold coins made a return to the supermarket shelves last September.
Nestle brought back the Quality Street fan favourite for Christmas last year.
The Hazelnut KitKat Chunky has made a return to the shelves after three years and shoppers can’t get enough of it.
Plus, Morrisons started stocking Marmite crisps in February this year after Walkers announced it would be discontinuing the flavour.