"Petit beurre" biscuits are recognizable by their rectangular shape and their jagged edges. Composed with wheat flour and butter, this tasty biscuit is ideal for kids snack time, but adults are also very fond of it. You like this mythical cookie? Delices and Gourmandises tells you everything about its origin, one century of history and its characteristics.
: The history of "Petit beurre" biscuits by Delices and Gourmandises
The recipe for French "Petit beurre" biscuits was created in Nantes by Louis Lefèvre-Utile in 1886, but the brand "Petit-beurre LU" was only registered with the Commercial Court of Nantes in April 1888. Initially, biscuits were packed in tin boxes nicely decorated with advertising drawings. According to experts though, LU does not hold the exclusivity of the appellation "Petit beurre" because the company wasn’t the first to have created this kind of cookie. Indeed, back then, it was inspired by English biscuits recipes.
Very quickly, the Louis Lefèvre-Utile "Petit-beurre" biscuit is been copied by competitors: in 1891, German company Bahlsen launched its Butterkeks called Leibniz-keks. Other "Petit-beurre" are also produced in France including Lorient "Petit-beurre" with Guérande sea salt. LU company therefore decided to change its product’s name to "Véritable petit-beurre ". Later, it finally manages to to stand out among its competitors by offering a basic recipe without chemical addition.
Delices and Gourmandises presents you the ingredients for "Petit beurre" biscuits
According to LU factory managers, which is located in La Haie-Fouassière (20 km south of Nantes), the "Véritable petit-beurre" biscuits is actually composed of wheat flour, sugar, butter, skimmed milk powder, salt, baking powder (sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and citric acid) and aroma.
Thanks to the tasteful result, "Petit beurre" biscuits remain very popular over the years. About 9,000 tons per year are sold all over the world (roughly one billion cookies packed in 41 million packets).
How to serve"Petit beurre" biscuits?
To order small-butter, have a look at Delices and Gourmandises online catalog and benefit from the promotional offers of the moment. Depending on the season, you can serve "Petit beurre" biscuits with hot or cold drinks. Your choice.