Marie biscuit
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
The Marie biscuit is a crisp, lightly sweet, and subtly vanilla-scented tea biscuit, known for its distinctive embossed pattern and satisfying snap. Nutritionally, it's a high-carbohydrate, low-fat snack that provides a quick energy boost, with a modest amount of fiber and sugar per serving.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 70% carbs · 23% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the Marie biscuit for its perfect balance of subtle sweetness and crisp texture, which makes it an ideal companion for tea, coffee, or milk. Its mild flavor and sturdy form also make it an incredibly versatile base for both sweet and savory culinary creations.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high carbohydrate and sugar content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes if eaten alone in large quantities. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat like peanut butter, cheese, or a handful of nuts, and practice portion control by sticking to 2-3 biscuits.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from complex carbohydrates
- Low in fat, making it a lighter snack option
- Contains some dietary fiber for digestive support
- Simple, recognizable ingredients with no artificial flavors
- Long shelf life and excellent for pantry storage
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic embossed design on a Marie biscuit often includes the biscuit's name, a production date, and a decorative border, originally intended as a mark of quality and to prevent counterfeiting in the 19th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 9.8 g |
| Energy | 406 kcal |
| Protein | 7.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 70.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 28.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 193 mg |
| Potassium, K | 307 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 370 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.61 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.54 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.49 mg |
| Niacin | 3.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 118 ug |
| Folic acid | 98.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 20.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 186 ug |
| Choline, total | 27.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.19 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 12.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.45 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.65 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.20 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Are Marie biscuits healthy?
They are a source of quick energy and are low in fat, but they are also high in refined carbohydrates and sugar. They can be part of a balanced diet in moderation, especially when paired with protein or fiber.
What is a common substitute for Marie biscuits in recipes?
Digestive biscuits, graham crackers, or rich tea biscuits are common substitutes, though each will alter the final texture and sweetness of the dish.
Why are they called 'Marie' biscuits?
The name is widely believed to have been introduced in 1874 by the London bakery Peek Freans to commemorate the marriage of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia to the Duke of Edinburgh.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.06 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 3.5 g fiber · 21.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.21 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.