Academic Biscuits
The Academic Biscuits are an example of the revitalization of a forgotten gastronomic literary heritage and of innovation, through a process of creativity supported by historical research. In fact, the product constitutes a contemporary rereading of the original recipe from the end of the 19th century, to which was added another gustatory memory of the city, the preserves of Peaches of Coimbra.
The first book printed in Portugal on national cuisine: Cosinha Portugueza (Coimbra: Imprensa Académica, 1899, 1ª edição) was studied by Carmen Soares, professor and director of the PACI PhD. At the origin of this research was the organization of the exhibition of books BiblioAlimentaria, exhibited in 2016 at the General Library of the University of Coimbra, on the occasion of the 18th Cultural Week of the University of Coimbra.
This historical investigation proved that, since its origins in the editorial Portuguese landscape, "honorific cuisine" (the one that pays homage to people or groups) was present in the construction of the literary narrative about national food heritage. Surely because the work is published in Coimbra, the City of Students, in its set of recipes there are five with direct connection to the academic universe. The Academic Biscuits are part of that set.
On the other hand, the written memory of the peach jam is stored in the manuscripts 120, 336 e 555 of the General Library of the University of Coimbra. The witty text by Father Silvestre Aranha of the Royal College of the Arts of the Society of Jesus, which refers to the fame of the canned peaches in the city of Coimbra is entitled “Suplício dos Doces” and we know that it was presented in classes on March 1 and 15, 1727.
In the absence of any reference to the format of the Academic Biscuits on the book of 1899, within the honorific spirit of the recipe, in the product of the 21st century is paid tribute to the identification of its literary footprint, giving it the form of small books stuffed with peach jam.
The collaborative project established between the PhD course, the Rectory of the University of Coimbra and the company Vasco da Gama Pastries, allowed the application of this scientific knowledge of historical and patrimonial scope to the business sector. The University of Coimbra is the owner of the brand "Biscoitos Académicos" (registration no. 59122 of the INPI).
Made, marketed and distributed by Vasco da Gama Pastries, the product also has the applied knowledge of two PACI PhD students: Carolina Gheller Miguens (organoleptic design and production of the biscuits in factory) and Ana Rosa Santos (production of content for social media).
The Academic Biscuits are the first case of historical-heritage scientific certification awarded by the University of Coimbra, through the Seal:
Partner entities
PhD Food Heritage: Cultures and Identities
Rectory of the University of Coimbra
Centre of Classical and Humanistic Studies
Vasco da Gama Pastries