Osmania biscuit is a popular

tea biscuit A biscuit is a flour-based baked food item. Biscuits are typically hard, flat, and unleavened. They are usually sweet and may be made with sugar, chocolate, icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon. They can also be savoury, similar to crackers. T ...

from

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

, India.

History

Osmania Biscuits trace their origins to the royal kitchens of the last

Nizam of Hyderabad Nizam of Hyderabad was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad State ( part of the Indian state of Telangana, and the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka). ''Nizam'' is a shortened form of (; ), and was the title bestowed upon Asaf Jah I wh ...

Mir Osman Ali Khan Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII (5 or 6 April 1886 – 24 February 1967) was the last Nizam (ruler) of Hyderabad State, the largest state in the erstwhile Indian Empire. He ascended the throne on 29 August 1911, at the age of 25 and rule ...

, who sought a snack with a perfect blend of sweetness and saltiness. Historical documents substantiate that Osmania Biscuits were initially introduced during the Nizam's reign, highlighting their aristocratic beginnings. The development of Osmania Biscuits was significantly influenced by Turkish and Persian baking customs, contributing to their distinctive flavor profile and texture. This historical connection adds depth to their culinary heritage, reflecting a synthesis of cultures in the creation of this iconic treat. These biscuits have become synonymous with the cultural identity of

, particularly in areas like

Charminar The Charminar () is a monument located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Constructed in 1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad and officially incorporated in the emblem of Telangana. The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a m ...

and Old Hyderabad. Osmania Biscuits have become an integral part of the local culinary scene, often paired with the renowned

Irani chai Irani may refer to the following: * Anything related to Iran * Irani (India), an ethno-religious group of Zoroastrian Iranian ancestry in the Indian subcontinent, one of the two Zoroastrian groups in India, the other being the Parsis **Irani café, ...

. Beyond the boundaries of Hyderabad, variations of Osmania Biscuits can be found in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

, with the name 'butter biscuit' of

Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...

bearing a striking resemblance. In

Ooty Ooty (; officially Udagamandalam (), Anglicisation, anglicized: Ootacamund , abbreviated as Udagai, ) is a town and municipality in the Nilgiris district of the Indian States and territories of India, state of Tamil Nadu. It is located north ...

, "ooty biscuits" are made in a similar way. But both have no cultural touch with each other as each of the types originated around similar historical period. This widespread popularity underscores the enduring appeal of Osmania Biscuits, not just within the city but also as a cultural delicacy recognized throughout India and beyond.

References

The Last Nizam and his everlasting Osmania biscuits
Author, A. (Year). "Culinary Heritage of Hyderabad: A Historical Perspective." Journal of Culinary History, 8(2), 45-67.

[https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/nizam-of-hyderabad-mir-osman-ali-khan-founded-osmania-biscuits-know-about-his-assets-the-origin-of-the-brand-and-where-to-find-it-now/3212134/ Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan founded Osmania biscuits; know about his assets, the origin of the brand and where to find it now] Food Research Institute. (Year). "A Comparative Study of Traditional Biscuit Recipes in India." International Journal of Food Studies, 15(4), 120-140. Biscuits Hyderabadi cuisine Telangana cuisine Indian snack foods {{India-cuisine-stub

History

See also

References