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almonds, Biscotti, Italian, Italy, twice-baked, Vin Santo - | Written by Janice Spencer

Indulgent Biscotti, Now Available at Coffee-Direct.co.uk

Dish of BiscottiBiscotti are the deliciously crunchy biscuits that can be found in most coffee houses these days, as a popular accompaniment to dunk into a frothy cappuccino or latte. These oblong-shaped biscuits, traditionally made with almonds, originated in Italy, where they are also known as 'cantucci'. Their name comes from the ancient Latin word 'biscotus', meaning 'twice-baked'. This is because the dough is first baked as a loaf, then sliced and baked again until the biscuits are dry and crisp. The first biscotti were made in the city of Prato in Tuscany, a region where almond trees grow in abundance. Although the first documented recipe for biscotti has been traced back to the 14th century, the concept of twice-baked dough is thought to have been applied in Roman times, to provide a convenient food source for the Roman Legions in the form of a dry biscuit that would keep well during long journeys.

Today, there are many different sweet and savoury flavours of biscotti, and lots of ideas for ways to enjoy them. The classic Italian way to eat biscotti is to dunk them in the sweet Italian dessert wine, Vin Santo, which is a great way to round off a lovely meal. As well as coffee, they can be dunked in other beverages, such as hot chocolate and tea. Their crunchy nature makes them excellent to use with creamy desserts, where they can be crumbled to add texture, particularly with Italian classics like zabaglione and tiramisu. They can be dipped in milkshakes or added to ice cream recipes. Savoury varieties can be dunked in a bowl of steaming soup, or broken into pieces to float on top. They make a good base for party foods, where they can be used with dips, or topped with a variety of ingredients, such as cream cheese and smoked salmon, tapenade, or pâté. It's really all down to imagination!

Coffee-Direct.co.uk now stock a delicious selection of biscotti in a variety of sweet and savoury flavours. Why not try Almond & Pistachio Biscotti for that authentic nutty flavour, or Toffee & Apple Biscotti with your coffee for a mid-morning treat? Chilli, Garlic & Herb Biscotti add interest to soups and snacks with their warm, piquant flavours, and Beetroot & Fennel Biscotti make an attractive and tasty addition to a chilled cucumber soup. Check out the whole range if you'd like to try these, or some of the other fabulous flavour combinations we have to offer.