What are digestive biscuits in the USA? A US guide

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

Although originally formulated in Scotland in 1839 to aid with digestion, modern digestive biscuits have no proven digestive benefits. In the USA, these British favorites are not a commonplace snack but can be found by those who know where to look.

Quick Summary

Digestive biscuits are semi-sweet, crumbly baked goods from the UK that Americans most closely compare to graham crackers. They can be found in the USA at specialty and international food stores or online. American and British biscuits are very different, with the US version being a soft, bread-like quickbread.

Key Points

Not an American invention: Digestive biscuits originated in the UK and are a type of semi-sweet, crisp cookie, not the fluffy, bread-like US biscuit.
Misleading name: The "digestive" name is a historical remnant from a debunked 19th-century health claim; modern versions have no significant digestive benefits.
Graham cracker comparison: In the USA, the closest equivalent is a graham cracker, although digestives are less sweet and more crumbly with a distinct malty flavor.
Where to find them: They are not widely stocked but can be purchased in US international grocery aisles, European specialty markets, and from online retailers.
Enjoyed in moderation: Despite the name, they are a high-calorie processed snack and should be treated as an indulgent treat, not a health food.
Great for baking: They are an excellent substitute for graham crackers in recipes that call for a cookie crust, such as cheesecakes.

The British Biscuit Versus the American Biscuit

First, it's essential to clear up the confusion surrounding the term "biscuit" itself. What an American calls a biscuit—a fluffy, bread-like quickbread often served with gravy or jam—is quite different from a British biscuit. In the UK, a biscuit is a sweet, crisp baked good, similar to what Americans call a cookie or cracker. This fundamental difference in terminology is the first hurdle for US consumers trying to understand the digestive biscuit.

Historically, the name "digestive" came from the (now debunked) belief that the leavening agent, sodium bicarbonate, used in the original recipe would aid in digestion by neutralizing stomach acid. Over time, the recipe evolved, and commercial products lost any minor therapeutic effect, though the name remains. Today, the moniker is simply a historical artifact.

Where Can You Find Digestive Biscuits in the USA?

Despite not being a mainstream American snack, you can find McVitie's and other brands of digestive biscuits in the USA if you know where to look. They are not banned, contrary to some rumors. Your best bet is to check these places:

International Food Aisles: Many large grocery stores, like Walmart and some regional chains, have an international section featuring imported goods. Check there first for brands like McVitie's.
Specialty and European Markets: Dedicated British, Irish, or other European import stores are almost guaranteed to stock a variety of digestive biscuits.
Online Retailers: The most reliable option for finding specific brands is often online. Retailers like Amazon carry a wide selection of imported digestive biscuits.
Indian Grocery Stores: Digestive biscuits are also popular in India and can often be found in Indian grocery stores in the US.

The American Alternative: Graham Crackers

For many Americans, the closest equivalent to a digestive biscuit is a graham cracker. Both are made with whole-grain wheat flour and have a crumbly texture, but they differ in flavor profile and density.

Flavor: Digestives have a distinctive malty, semi-sweet flavor, while graham crackers are typically sweeter with hints of honey and cinnamon.
Texture and Use: Digestives are thicker and more crumbly, often served with tea or coffee. Graham crackers are crispier and are famously used for s'mores and pie crusts.
Ingredients: While both use whole wheat, digestive biscuits often contain ingredients like malt extract, while US graham crackers include cinnamon and honey.

A Comparison of Digestive Biscuits vs. Graham Crackers

To illustrate the differences clearly, here is a comparison table outlining the key features of these two similar but distinct snacks.


Feature	Digestive Biscuits	Graham Crackers
Origin	United Kingdom	United States
Flavor Profile	Malty, semi-sweet, nutty	Honey, cinnamon, sweeter
Key Ingredients	Whole wheat flour, sugar, malt extract, vegetable oil	Graham flour, honey, cinnamon, baking soda
Typical Use	Dipped in tea or coffee, cheesecake base	S'mores, pie crusts, snacking
Texture	Thicker, crumbly, firmer	Thinner, crispier, crunchier
Availability in USA	Found in international aisles and online	Ubiquitous in most US grocery stores

The Health Myth and Modern Consumption

Despite their name, modern digestive biscuits are not a health food and contain sugar, saturated fat, and calories similar to other cookies. The fiber from the whole wheat flour is present but is not significant enough to provide substantial digestive benefits. Experts recommend viewing them as a treat to be consumed in moderation, just like any other processed snack. For those with gluten sensitivities or IBS, the wheat content can actually cause problems, a counterintuitive fact given the name.

For those interested in exploring healthier alternatives, consider making your own digestives at home using whole-grain ingredients and controlling the sugar content. Several vegan and gluten-free recipes are also available, allowing you to tailor the biscuit to your specific dietary needs.

Conclusion

In the USA, digestive biscuits are a flavorful, semi-sweet, crumbly import from the UK, most easily found in international markets or online. While sharing some characteristics with the American graham cracker, they offer a distinct, less sweet, malty experience. It is important to remember that despite their name, they are not a health food but rather a delicious treat to be enjoyed in moderation. The next time you see a package of McVitie's, you'll know exactly what to expect and why Americans might be confused. If you're feeling adventurous, try using them as a crust for a cheesecake to compare them with the traditional graham cracker base. Learn more about the origins of digestive biscuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, despite the name, modern digestive biscuits are not considered a health food. They contain sugar, fat, and calories and offer only a minimal amount of fiber from whole wheat flour.

In the USA, the closest equivalent to a digestive biscuit is a graham cracker, though they have a different flavor profile. Graham crackers are sweeter with cinnamon and honey notes, while digestives are more malty and savory.

Yes, you can buy digestive biscuits in the US. They are not banned and are available in the international food sections of larger grocery stores, specialty import markets, and online.

The name dates back to the 19th century, when they were originally made with sodium bicarbonate, a leavening agent believed to aid digestion. This is a historical legacy, not an indicator of current health benefits.

American biscuits are soft, bread-like quickbreads, often served with savory dishes. British biscuits are what Americans call cookies, and are typically sweet, thin, and crisp.

Classic digestive biscuits are made with whole wheat flour, sugar, malt extract, and vegetable oil. They are a semi-sweet, crumbly treat.

Digestive biscuits are often used as a base for desserts, particularly for cheesecake crusts. They can also be eaten on their own with tea or coffee.