Hacendado Maria Biscuits

Hacendado Maria biscuits are a staple breakfast and snack item in Spain, primarily sold through the Mercadona supermarket chain. These biscuits are characterized by their round shape, embossed design, and plain vanilla-like flavor, making them ideal for dunking in milk or tea.

Historically, the Maria biscuit was created in London in 1874 by the bakery Peek Freans to celebrate the marriage of the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. However, it became an iconic part of Spanish culture following the Civil War, when it was mass-produced to utilize wheat surpluses and became a symbol of economic recovery.

The Hacendado brand is the private label of Mercadona, a Spanish retail giant. The actual manufacturing of these biscuits is handled by Cerealto Siro Foods, a major Spanish food group formed from the merger of Cerealto and Grupo Siro. The production typically takes place in their facilities located in Venta de Baños, Palencia, Spain.