Scots divided over how to eat an empire biscuit as McGhee’s launches iconic treat into Tesco meal deal.

More than a third of Scots admit eating the jelly sweet on top of an empire biscuit first, according to new research commissioned by McGhee’s Bakery.

The findings come as McGhee’s prepares to launch individually wrapped empire biscuits into selected Tesco meal deals across Scotland for the first time from 18 May, alongside individually wrapped caramel shortcake.

Ahead of the launch, the Glasgow bakery surveyed 1,000 Scottish adults to uncover the nation’s empire biscuit habits and discovered the iconic bake is causing surprisingly strong opinions.

The research found 36 per cent of Scots immediately pick off the jelly sweet – known at McGhee’s as a “joob joob” – before eating the rest of the biscuit. Meanwhile, 11 per cent go straight for the biscuit layers and seven per cent eat the icing first. Just 30 per cent said they eat the empire biscuit altogether as intended.

The results have left Gordon McGhee, Managing Director of McGhee’s Bakery, questioning decades spent carefully topping the bakery’s iconic empire biscuits.

Gordon, who joined the family business more than 50 years ago at just 16 years old and has personally placed the finishing joob joob on top of more than five million empire biscuits, said:

“I have to admit, I was slightly shocked when I saw the results.

“You spend years carefully placing the joob joob on top of empire biscuits thinking people are enjoying the whole thing together, then you find out a huge number of Scots are just picking it straight off first.

“I’m trying not to take it personally.

“For me, the best way to eat an empire biscuit is to break it in half, so you get one side with the jelly sweet and one without. That way you get the full experience.

“But I suppose this research proves everyone has their own empire biscuit ritual.”

The launch marks the first time McGhee’s empire biscuits have been available as part of the Tesco meal deal offering.

Barry O’Donnell, Tesco Buying Manager, said:

“Empire biscuits and caramel shortcake are iconic Scottish treats, so we’re delighted to be working with McGhee’s to bring them into selected Tesco meal deals across Scotland.

“We know there is strong demand for familiar, nostalgic favourites that can be enjoyed as part of lunch on the go, whether that’s during the working day, at college or while travelling.

“Adding individually wrapped versions of these classic bakes into the Tesco lunchtime meal deal gives customers more choice with a Scottish twist.”

McGhee’s Bakery, which is celebrating 90 years in business this year, has made empire biscuits for generations and now produces thousands every week from its Glasgow bakery.

The individually wrapped empire biscuits and caramel shortcake will be available in selected Tesco stores across Scotland from 18 May.