I did not know they still made fig rolls! I thought they were destined to be resigned to the anoles of my long departed childhood along with jumpers for goalposts and long hot summers. When I was a lad my Mum used to keep a big biscuit barrel constantly stocked yet tantalisingly out of reach ... Read review
Advantages: A taste from yesteryear Disadvantages: None of note
I did not know they still made fig rolls! I thought they were destined to be resigned to the anoles of my long departed childhood along with jumpers for goalposts and long hot summers. When I was a lad my Mum used to keep a big biscuit barrel constantly stocked yet tantalisingly out of reach on the highest kitchen shelf, when my brother and I came home from the mandatory twenty-five aside football matches to glean refreshments we were allowed ... ...petulant way would grab the two biggest biscuits available I was a far more cunning creature, and would take my time in my biscuit based choice, much to my Mums chagrin. For me, a biscuit had to have more than mere size in its favour, it had to have that certain something extra, I liked Garibaldi’s for their chewy fruity quirkiness, I enjoyed jammy dodgers for their sweet elastic jam centres, but most of all I loved fig rolls for their shear cheek ... more
I did not know they still made fig rolls! I thought they were destined to be resigned to the anoles of my long departed childhood along with jumpers for goalposts and long hot summers. When I was a lad my Mum used to keep a big biscuit barrel constantly stocked yet tantalisingly out of reach on the highest kitchen shelf, when my brother and I came home from the mandatory twenty-five aside football matches to glean refreshments we were allowed two biscuits from the tin. While my brother in his petulant way would grab the two biggest biscuits available I was a far more cunning creature, and would take my time in my biscuit based choice, much to my Mums chagrin. For me, a biscuit had to have more than mere size in its favour, it had to have that certain something extra, I liked Garibaldi’s for their chewy fruity quirkiness, I enjoyed jammy dodgers for their sweet elastic jam centres, but most of all I loved fig rolls for their shear cheek at having chopped up figs in the middle of a biscuit casing.
Such sweet memories, but memories were all I had, until one day I happened down the biscuit aisle of my local Tesco, an aisle I usually try to avoid for fear of my waistline rebelling. Sitting between a display of iced gems and an assortment of cut price custard creams was a red packet emblazoned “Jacob’s Fig Rolls”, I was shocked, scared and excited all at the same time, a blast from the past was staring me in the face demanding to be bought and reminisced over. In such a situation I did what any like minded person would do and bought the entire stock of Fig Rolls for fear that they may be snatched from me just as soon as I’d discovered them again, with eleven packets of the biscuits I paid the 69p per packet price and headed home with my new found favourite treat.
There are twelve Fig Rolls held tight in a plastic tray which in turn is encased in a deep orange wrapper. “Fig Rolls” is written large in a jaunty comic font with pictures of one of the biscuit treats dotted around for effect. In common with most food products the back of the wrapper is given over to Ingredient, Nutritional and Customer satisfaction information. Each Fig Roll contains a fairly hefty sixty-two calories which for their size seems rather high to me, the chopped fig portion of the biscuit makes up 23% of the total content which is less than I would have expected or liked. On the plus side Fig Rolls are said to be a good source of fibre and the fat content is low at 0.6 grams per biscuit. Finally, Jacob’s Fig Rolls are produced in a factory that also produces milk and Soya products so cross contamination is possible, they are however suitable for vegetarians.
So to the taste test and on lifting a Fig Roll from the packaging I am struck by the size, I’m sure they used to be bigger and more rounded. Each Fig Roll measures around three by two inches and is a pale golden brown in colour with the encased chopped fig a deeper brown. Odour is practically non existent save for the faintest of cereal smells and the Fig Roll is soft to the touch. On biting a Fig Roll in half the biscuit portion crumbles effortlessly with the chopped fig portion offering a little more resistance. The biscuit portion melts in the mouth and leaves a subtle yet enjoyable buttery taste on the palette, the chopped fig section is not at all strong and does not resemble the flavour of figs in there unadulterated state. Chewing the second half of the biscuit results in an amalgam of biscuity figiness which again is pleasant in its many different textures and flavours, the fig and biscuit tastes compliment each other perfectly without either one overpowering the other.
Of course any biscuits reputation stands or falls depending on its performance when dunked into a cup of tea, and I’m happy to say the humble Fig Roll passes the test with ease. A five second dunk renders the biscuit outer layer soft but not to such an extent that disintegration follows, the chopped fig centre simply warms up and softens a bit to produce a delicious fruity taste reminiscent of warmed mince pies. I give Jacob’s Fig Rolls four stars out of five, as well as extra brownie points for the nostalgic glimpse of times gone by it gave me.
The Jacob’s Bakery Limited P.O.Box 14 Liverpool L9 7JX
Advantages: Chewy, figgy biscuits, not too sweet or sickly Disadvantages: Won't be to everyone's taste
I have only just gotten over a life-long aversion to dried, shrivelled fruit. Basically as a child I could not stand raisins, sultanas, prunes, glace cherries or anything remotely similar. Heck I couldn’t even stand bits in yoghurt or in jam. So it should be perfectly clear that a few years ago I would have run in horror from fig rolls. Thankfully with the support of my family and Sun maid I got over my aversion to dried fruit. Who knows I might ... ...I was perusing the supermarket and I saw the packet of Jacob’s Fig Rolls I figured it was now or wait until I go back to university and have to pay for them myself. I picked out a 300gram packet which cost a little over £1. Not the cheapest of biscuits but then they were bought in Sainsbury’s. They are also available in 200gram packs which cost around 80p.
I have to say that the packaging gets full marks. It is an eye catching colour of red with ...
jammy_banana 22.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Jacob`s Fig Rolls
Advantages: yummy, excellent value for money, source of fibre Disadvantages: none
I'm not a huge fan of figs - I will eat them, but they definitely aren't first in my choice of a snack. But the humble fig-roll is a completely different matter. I pretty much grew up with the fig roll; my mother would always give me a fig roll when I was younger, so when I spotted them in the supermarket, I was thrilled to pieces that Jacobs were continuing to produce these delicious little biscuits.
~~~ The Biscuit ~~~
The fig-roll itself is ... ...biscuit. The biscuit part is absolutely scrumptious; when you take a bite it really seems to melt in your mouth, leaving a lovely smooth after-taste. The fig itself is also delicious and for the non-fig lovers of you, has not got an overwhelming 'figgy' taste which the fig does when not put in a biscuit. This biscuit is not too sweet, but just right...however this does mean you can eat a fair few without noticing..oops...
The biscuit and the fig ...
beccy9992 28.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Jacob`s Fig Rolls
Advantages: Quality, value for money Disadvantages: none
Lidl's Parkside Fig Rolls. They are reasonably priced at 39p/200g. They taste as good as any brand name I have ever tasted and are simply delicious! I believe they are made in the UK as well. For years I thought Lidl and Aldi was full of cheap names and low quality, how wrong I was. The Fig Roll delicately rests in your mouth until you bite, then you experience quite a tough crust which is a bittersweet taste and then taste the fig inside. It's warm, ...
Art007 17.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Jacob`s Fig Rolls
Advantages: moorish, source of fibre, memories Disadvantages: Don't eat a whole packet - speaks for itself
Discovered the true brand of fig rolls again to discover, schock horror, where are the ridges. Like raised tram lines down the biscuit and I never remember them being so chewy, moorish and .... pass another pack.
1 is fine, 2 is ok, 3 oh perhaps another, 4 and that's enough, 5+ and we are in trouble - eh no.
Love, love, love them. One of the only biscuits that come with a health warning on the front -a good source of fibre - beats trying to chew ... ...one. Still there is always prunes - back to Jacobs Just how do they get the fig into a biscuit.
Ideal to tempt younger children in their lunch boxes but they can go hard once not airtight. Lovely sticky texture that lingers and only 63 calories per bickie. My diet days have gone through the window but I do miss them ridges. ...
cornishcoast 05.03.2008 (07.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Jacob`s Fig Rolls
