Okay, so here’s a question that’s been floating around for a while now: Are Jaffa Cakes a cake or a biscuit? Believe it or not, this isn’t just some random internet debate. It’s legit been a legal case in the UK. So, let’s break it down in a way that even your gran and your bestie would understand.

The Great Jaffa Cake Dilemma

First things first, Jaffa Cakes are these tasty little treats made up of a layer of sponge, orange-flavored jam, and a coating of chocolate. They’re bite-sized, they’re delish, and they’re causing confusion.

The crux of the argument boils down to taxation. Yep, tax is the villain in this story. Under UK law, cakes are zero-rated for VAT, meaning no additional tax. Biscuits, on the other hand, have a VAT rate of 20% unless they’re plain. So, when the question of whether Jaffa Cakes are a cake or a biscuit arose, it wasn’t just a fun pub debate—it had financial implications!

Court Case: Jaffa Cakes vs. The Taxman

Let’s take it back to the 90s when the bigwigs at McVitie’s, the OG makers of Jaffa Cakes, were hit with a tax bill. HMRC (the tax collectors) claimed that Jaffa Cakes were actually biscuits, meaning they should be taxed at 20%. McVitie’s was like, “Nah fam, they’re cakes,” and the whole thing ended up in court.

McVitie’s brought in all the receipts, including the actual recipe and the science of baking, to prove Jaffa Cakes were cakes. They even baked a giant Jaffa Cake in the courtroom! No cap, this actually happened.

So, What’s the Difference?

Okay, you’re probably thinking, “But they look like biscuits? They’re small, they’re round, they’re packaged in a row, biscuit-style!” True, but the legal difference between cakes and biscuits lies in one major thing: what happens when they go stale.

• Cakes go hard when they’re stale.
• Biscuits go soft when they’re stale.

You know that rock-hard cupcake that’s been chilling in your kitchen for days? Cake. Meanwhile, your biscuits lose their crunch if you leave them out. The court actually tested this (yep, there’s a science to snack decay) and found that Jaffa Cakes harden like a cake when they go stale. Case closed, right?

The Verdict: Drumroll, Please…

The court sided with McVitie’s, ruling that Jaffa Cakes are indeed cakes, despite their small size and biscuit-like behavior. So, legally speaking, Jaffa Cakes are cakes, and McVitie’s doesn’t have to pay that extra VAT. Winning!

Gen Z Logic: Cake or Nah?

Okay, so maybe the law says Jaffa Cakes are cakes, but let’s bring this into everyday life. If you’re dipping it into tea, doesn’t that make it a biscuit? If it’s small, crunchy, and packaged with biscuits, isn’t it just… kinda a biscuit in disguise?

But hey, let’s throw in some stats:

• 67% of Brits (according to a poll by YouGov) think Jaffa Cakes are biscuits because they look more like them.
• However, 33% sided with the law and claimed they’re cakes (gotta love a rule follower).

Real-World Examples: Let’s Take a Poll

Have you ever heard of a “party ring cake?” Yeah, didn’t think so. You’d def bring a cake to someone’s birthday party, but bringing a packet of Jaffa Cakes? That’s biscuit territory. Even if they’re legally cakes, you’re not about to put a candle in a Jaffa Cake and call it a birthday treat. It’s like how tomatoes are technically fruits, but are you really gonna put them in a fruit salad? Nope.

The Science of Cake vs. Biscuit

Now, let’s dig a little deeper into the science. Jaffa Cakes are made with a sponge base. That’s legit cake material, right? Plus, cakes are usually associated with being baked, and guess what—Jaffa Cakes are baked too.

But wait. Biscuits are also baked, and they’ve got that crunchy snap we all know and love. So, the debate rages on.

Here’s the kicker: In Ireland, Jaffa Cakes are taxed like biscuits, proving that this cake/biscuit debate is way bigger than the UK. So, depending on where you are in the world, Jaffa Cakes can be either cake or biscuit.

Fun Fact: The Giant Jaffa Cake

Remember earlier when I mentioned McVitie’s made a giant Jaffa Cake in court? That was no accident. They wanted to show that no matter the size, the structure was still cakey. Genius, right? They knew that if they nailed the texture and size thing, the court would rule in their favor.

Conclusion: Jaffa Cake or Biscuit?

To wrap it up, while legally Jaffa Cakes are classified as cakes, the debate in the streets (or your kitchen) continues. Some say it’s a cake, some say it’s a biscuit, and others just eat them without caring about the legal jargon. The only thing we can all agree on? Jaffa Cakes are straight-up delicious.

So, next time you grab a packet of Jaffa Cakes and someone tries to hit you with the “Is it a cake or a biscuit?” question, you know what to say: “Legally a cake, but feel free to dunk it like a biscuit. No judgment here.”

TL;DR:

• Legally: Jaffa Cakes are cakes (thank the 1991 court ruling).
• Culturally: Many people still think they’re biscuits.
• Practically: Who cares? Just eat them.

Go ahead, be the Jaffa Cake expert at your next tea party.