It’s a question we’ve all heard before, it’s an age old debate amongst the British public, and at this point, in 2022, it’s an answer that we just can’t seem to agree or settle on, no matter how hard we try.
Jaffa Cakes are an iconic sweet treat that were first introduced by snack food brand McVitie’s all the way back in 1927.
They are named after jaffa oranges, contain a simple combination of sugar and tangerine oil to form the sealed layer of jam in the middle, and for the last 95 years, have regularly been voted among Britain’s favourite biscuits or cakes.
But also for last 95 years, people have been debating what they actually are.
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The debate has generated opinion from pretty much everyone who’s ever tasted the treat, but now, the official Jaffa Cakes Twitter account has decided to wade in and attempt to end the conversation once and for all.
In response to a curious fan this week who simply asked on Twitter this week: “Is a Jaffa Cake a Cake or a biscuit?”, Jaffa Cakes officially confirmed that it’s “cake all the way”.
Although this definitive answer may seem like the end of the debate, it may not actually be what is seems, as this isn’t the first time McVitie’s has tried to argue the cake label.
In 1991, McVitie’s successfully managed to argue that the sweet treat are in fact cakes and therefore exempt from VAT, but a later tribunal then determined that, while certain characteristics of the Jaffa Cake were cake-like, including the ingredients and texture, it was also the size and shape of a biscuit, and packaged and sold alongside biscuits.
This means that it’s presented to be eaten with your fingers, and not with a fork like cakes are generally consumed.
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So honestly, who really knows anymore?
Jaffa Cakes were first introduced by snack food brand McVitie’s all the way back in 1927 / Credit: McVitie’s
The brand’s latest Twitter response comes after it launched a variation on the British classic last May known as a ‘Jonut’ – a doughnut-shaped ring of sponge with the staple orange-flavoured filling and a dark chocolate coating that McVitie’s bosses expected would “spark further conversation”.
When a confectionary fan went directly to the verified official Jaffa Cake Facebook page and simply asked “What side of the Jaffa is the bottom?”, the company’s response was: “Our Jaffa Cakes go through a reservoir of chocolate, so the chocolate is on the bottom.”
Featured Image – Flickr
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One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.
With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
Emily Sergeant -
9th February 2022 
