COLUMN: The Irish biscuit debate - How do you eat yours?

Biscuits aren't the kind of thing you think twice about, but when you do you realise your opinions about them are actually quite strong. You may more fiercely defend a particular flavour of Hob Nob than you would a political candidate or family member, and right you are. 

What biscuit you like most and which you like least tells a story about you, whether you're aware of it or not. Do you automatically reach for a Digestive? You may like stability and regularity in your life. Would you pick an Oreo over a Jaffa Cake? You're definitely not part of Generation X. Do you prefer a Viennese Finger to a Pink Wafer? You may be a nostalgic sort of person. 

For me, nothing beats a Jammy Dodger or something with a coconut flavour. I also love a Fruit Shortbread. This may tell you I prefer lighter fruity flavours to chocolate, and you'd be right. It may also tell you that I have bad taste in biscuits, and you'd be wrong.

Biscuits - and how we eat them - are serious business, but there's no right or wrong choices unless you don't like them at all, in which case you're not to be trusted. 

Whether you're a fan of sweet or savoury or something in between, here are some of the best ways to eat them: 

Dunked

Tea and biscuits; there's no better duo. Unless you want to substitute coffee, but that's an argument for another time. It's the most natural - and, arguably, best - way to eat biscuits. It can salvage stale Bourbons from the bottom of the biscuit tin, and it can revitalise even the driest homemade shortbread. Tea fixes most problems in life, and this is no different. 

Buttered 

Contrary to popular opinion, you can in fact have both your eggs and your biscuits sunny side up. This is of course completely fabricated, but nonetheless I'm putting it forward as the new way to describe buttered biscuits or biscuits spread with some kind of preserve or peanut butter. Anyone who loves a Rich Tea with a sliver of Flora will understand. 

Sprinkled 

A more modern way to enjoy a Polo Coconut bite or a Digestive involves breaking up the pieces and sprinkling them on top of yogurt and fruit for a yogurt parfait. It adds a pleasant crunch and there are so many variations to choose from, like chopped banana and Ginger Nut pieces, raspberries and Coconut, or orange slices and Digestives. 

Baked 

Crush your biscuits to make some homemade power balls out of dates, nuts and dark chocolate, making sure to roll the balls in the biscuit crumbs while the chocolate is still melted. Let them dry fully and sin é! They're easy to refrigerate and grab first thing to satiate your sweet tooth and give you a hit of energy. 

Plain 

Biscuits are the kind of food you eat with another food, whether it's with a cuppa or smothered in Nutella or sandwiched together with butter, but some get away with being perfect on their own, like a fluffy Mikado or an Iced Ring or Custard Cream. 

We all have a favourite; some people choose a biscuit with a second component like chocolate chips, or icing or a creamy filling, and others will eat a piece of shortbread on its own, like a lunatic. It takes all kinds of biscuit eaters to make a world!