Huntley & Palmers is a British company of biscuit makers originally based in Reading, Berkshire. Formed by Joseph Huntley in 1822, the company became one of the world's first global brands and ran what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory. The biscuits were sold in elaborately decorated biscuit tins. In 1900, the company's products were sold in 172 countries; further, their global reach saw their advertising posters feature scenes from around the world. Over the years, the company was also known as "J. Huntley & Son" and "Huntley & Palmer".
The original Huntley & Palmers factory in Reading, pictured in 2011
George Palmer joined the company after Huntley was forced to retire in 1838, being aided from his brothers and son to lead the business
Advertising for the Opera wafers c. 1890
Huntley & Palmers biscuit tin on a Congo trading steamer, Upper Congo River, c. 1890
A biscuit, in most English speaking countries, is a flour-based baked and shaped 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. Types of biscuit include sandwich biscuits, digestive biscuits, ginger biscuits, shortbread biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-coated marshmallow treats, Anzac biscuits, biscotti, and speculaas.
An Oreo, a brand of sweet sandwich biscuit, and two crackers, a type of savoury biscuit
Biscuits of Ghana
Beaten biscuits (southern US)
Wheat and cream biscuits (northern England)