McVitie's Jaffa Cakes

McVitie's Jaffa Cakes are an iconic British snack consisting of a Genoise sponge base, a layer of orange-flavored jam, and a coating of dark chocolate. Launched in 1927, they have become a cultural staple in the UK. The name 'Jaffa' is derived from Jaffa oranges, which influenced the flavor of the original jam center.

While famously the subject of a VAT tribunal in 1991 to determine if they were legally biscuits or cakes (for tax purposes, they were ruled to be cakes), they are primarily produced in the United Kingdom. The main production site is located in Manchester, although ownership has transitioned through various international corporations over the decades.

Today, the brand is owned by pladis Global, which was formed following the acquisition of United Biscuits by the Turkish conglomerate Yıldız Holding. This ownership structure places McVitie's within one of the largest snacking groups globally, though its manufacturing and brand identity remain deeply rooted in British heritage.