Leibniz-Keks facts for kids
The Leibniz-Keks is a famous German biscuit (or cookie!) made by the Bahlsen company. It has been around for a long time, since 1891! This tasty treat was first made to compete with a similar French biscuit called the Petit-Beurre.
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What's in a Name? The Leibniz Biscuit Story
The name Leibniz for this popular biscuit comes from a very smart person: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. He was a famous philosopher and mathematician who lived from 1646 to 1716.
Why is it Called Leibniz?
You might wonder what a biscuit has to do with a philosopher! The only link is that Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a well-known person from Hanover. This is the city in Germany where the Bahlsen company, which makes the biscuits, is located. When the biscuit was first created, it was popular to name food items after famous historical figures. For example, there are also "Mozartkugeln," which are chocolates named after the composer Mozart.
What Does "Keks" Mean?
The Leibniz-Keks is a simple butter biscuit. In German, this is called a Butterkeks. The idea for it came from the French Petit-Beurre biscuit, first made in 1886. The word Keks in Leibniz-Keks actually came from the English word "cakes." The Bahlsen company first called their product "cakes," but people in Germany mispronounced it. Because the Leibniz-Keks became so popular, Keks is now the common German word for any biscuit or cookie!
The Unique Look of Leibniz Biscuits
The original Leibniz biscuit has a very simple and special design. It's easy to spot!
What Does a Leibniz Biscuit Look Like?
The biscuit is shaped like a rectangle. Around its edge, it has 52 small "teeth" or bumps. In the middle, the words "LEIBNIZ BUTTERKEKS" are pressed into the biscuit in big letters. This design was created by Hermann Bahlsen way back in 1891.
Is it a Square or a Rectangle?
For a long time, people who love biscuits have debated if the Leibniz biscuit is a square or a rectangle. The person who designed the biscuits confirmed that it was meant to be a square shape. This classic biscuit has even been shown in a series called "Monuments of German Design" by a newspaper called Süddeutsche Zeitung. This shows how important its design is!
Different Kinds of Leibniz Biscuits
Besides the classic Butterkeks, you can find many other types of Leibniz biscuits today.
Popular Leibniz Varieties
- Choco Leibniz: This one is famous for having "more chocolate than biscuit!" It's a biscuit covered in a thick layer of chocolate.
- Leibniz Milch & Honig: This means "milk and honey," and these biscuits have a sweet, mild flavor.
- Leibniz Vollkorn: This variety is made with wholemeal flour, which means it uses the whole grain.
- Leibniz Zoo: These are fun biscuits shaped like different animals, perfect for younger kids.
What Are Leibniz Biscuits Made Of?
Leibniz biscuits are made from a mix of common ingredients.
Main Ingredients in Leibniz Biscuits
The ingredients usually include:
- Sugar
- Wheat flour
- Butter
- For Choco Leibniz, there's also cocoa mass and cocoa butter
- Whey products (from milk)
- Glucose syrup
- Emulsifier (like soya lecithin, which helps mix ingredients)
- Whole milk powder
- Salt
- Raising agents (like sodium bicarbonate, which makes them rise)
- Citric acid (for a little tang)
- Flavoring
