Britons are only just discovering the meaning behind the intricate swirls on Custard Cream biscuits, one of the nation's favourite treats. According to The Other British Museum, a TikTok account dedicated to British icons, the pattern is a nod to the Victorian fern craze that swept the country in the 19th century.
The account explained that Custard Creams were invented in 1908, following a period when Victorians were 'mad for ferns'. The obsession, fuelled by gardener George Loddiges, led to fern-hunting parties and even the extinction of some species. Loddiges spread a rumour that an interest in ferns was a sign of intelligence, which sparked a craze that eventually influenced the biscuit's design.
Historian Lizzie Collingham confirmed to BBC Bitesize that ferns were highly fashionable in Victorian England, with people growing them in glass cases. However, she also suggested the pattern might symbolise industrial progress, as Custard Creams were among the first industrially produced foods, combining custard powder—invented by chemist Alfred Bird—with machine-made biscuits.
Reactions on TikTok ranged from surprise to humour, with one user admitting they thought the design resembled a wrought iron gate, while another joked they could now tell their husband he eats 'boring biscuits with bad drawings on'. The revelation has given new appreciation for the humble biscuit's ornate decoration.
