What is an Osmania biscuit?
Osmania biscuit is a soft, crumbly tea biscuit from Hyderabad, India. It is lightly sweet with a pinch of salt, is named after Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, and is traditionally eaten with Irani chai.
In Hyderabad it is the natural partner for a glass of Irani chai. People eat it at tea time, serve it to guests and carry it home as a gift.
- Origin
- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Named after
- Mir Osman Ali Khan
- Taste
- Mildly sweet, salty edge
- Texture
- Soft, crumbly, buttery
- Best with
- Irani chai
What does it taste like?
Simple ingredients, a gentle flavour, and a texture made for dunking.
Flavour
Mild sweetness with a salty finish. Some makers add a little cardamom.
Texture
Soft and crumbly rather than hard. It melts quickly in hot tea.
How it is enjoyed
With Irani chai or any hot milk tea, at tea time, with guests, or as a gift.
Osmania biscuit vs other biscuits
A quick overview. Recipes vary from maker to maker.
| Biscuit | Origin | Texture | Flavour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osmania biscuit | Hyderabad, India | Soft, crumbly | Mildly sweet, salty edge |
| Nankhatai | India | Short, crumbly | Sweet, often cardamom |
| Shortbread | Scotland | Buttery, firm snap | Sweet, rich in butter |
How did the biscuit begin?
Accounts differ, and none is proven. Here are the three most told.
Osmania General Hospital
Dietitians are said to have created an easy-to-digest, energy-rich food for patients. City cafés then adopted it.
The Nizam's evening tea
According to one account, the Nizam enjoyed these biscuits from a bakery in Abids so much that a vehicle was sent daily to fetch them.
Made for the court
Another account says court chefs first made it for the Nizam and his guests, though some writers question this.
We do not treat any version as settled fact. Read the full history.
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Common questions
Why is it called Osmania biscuit?
It is named after Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad. How the biscuit itself began is disputed.
Is Osmania biscuit veg or non-veg?
It is usually vegetarian. It is made from flour, butter or ghee, sugar, milk solids and salt, with no meat, and many recipes are eggless too. Always check the green dot and the ingredient list on the pack.
Is Osmania biscuit eggless?
Many recipes use no egg, but it varies by maker. Always check the ingredient list on the pack.
How many calories are in one?
Published figures run from roughly 60 to 115 kcal per biscuit, because size and recipe differ. Use the label on your pack.
How is it different from a regular biscuit?
It is softer and more crumbly than a crisp tea biscuit, with a noticeable pinch of salt. It is closer to a shortbread-style biscuit.
What is fine biscuit?
Fine biscuit is a flaky, sugar-crusted Hyderabadi biscuit made from layered dough, often served beside Osmania biscuit in Irani cafés. Read about fine biscuit.
When can I buy from this site?
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