Speculaas (or Lotus Biscoff)

Speculaas is a traditional spiced shortcrust biscuit with roots deep in the Low Countries, specifically the Netherlands and Belgium. Its history is tied to the 17th-century spice trade of the Dutch East India Company, which brought exotic ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the region. While the Dutch version (Speculaas) typically contains a complex blend of these spices, the Belgian variant (often called Speculoos) historically used fewer spices due to their high cost, focusing more on caramelized sugar syrup.

In the modern era, the most globally recognized brand of this biscuit is Lotus Biscoff, founded in 1932 by the Boone family in Lembeke, Belgium. Originally a seasonal treat for Saint Nicholas Day, it evolved into a year-round staple famously served alongside coffee. While Lotus Bakeries has scaled production globally—opening plants in the United States and Thailand—the brand remains headquartered in Belgium and continues to be largely controlled by the founding Boone family.