The humble Jammie Dodger, a staple in British biscuit tins, holds more than just a delicious jammy center. As it turns out, the iconic red heart shape has a fascinating backstory rooted in a classic British nursery rhyme.
Food historian Lizzie Collingham, author of *The Biscuit: The History of a Very British Indulgence*, reveals that the heart shape is a direct reference to *The Queen of Hearts*. This rhyme, based on playing card characters, tells the story of the Knave of Hearts being punished for stealing tarts from the Queen. Collingham explains, “With a heart-shaped hole in the centre through which a red jam filling could be glimpsed, it was intended to recall the nursery rhyme when the Knave of Hearts stole the tarts the Queen had baked, ‘all on a summer’s day’.”
The biscuit company Burton’s launched Jammie Dodgers in the 1960s, aiming to capture the hearts (and stomachs) of children. Interestingly, the original recipe featured plum filling, a far cry from the beloved raspberry jam we enjoy today.
But the connection to childhood doesn’t stop there. The name “Jammie Dodgers” itself pays homage to a popular comic book character, Roger the Dodger, from the beloved British comic *The Beano*. This mischievous character, known for his antics to avoid responsibilities, first appeared in *The Beano* in 1953.
The Burton’s Biscuits website once declared, “Jammie Dodgers are made in Wales, the birthplace of Rob Brydon, Richard Burton, Tom Jones and Charlotte Church. “The name for the original cheeky biscuit came from the BEANO’s ‘Roger the Dodger’ character comic strip. “Jammie Dodgers have been featured on *The Only Way is Essex*, *Harry Hill’s TV Burp*, *Eastenders* and *Dr Who*.”
But Jammie Dodgers aren’t the only British biscuit hiding a secret meaning. The elegant spiral pattern on Custard Creams is actually a subtle nod to the Victorian fascination with ferns. This period, known as Pteridomania, saw ferns take center stage in everything from pottery and wallpaper to gravestones. The obsession stemmed from the widespread availability of ferns thanks to the Wardian case, a revolutionary glass case that enabled the safe transportation of exotic plants to London.
So, the next time you reach for a Jammie Dodger or a Custard Cream, remember the fascinating stories that lie beneath their familiar shapes. These biscuits are not just tasty treats; they are a delicious window into British culture and history.