What Is Biscotti? Meaning, History & Flavors Explained

Q: What does biscotti mean?

Biscotti comes from the Latin words for twice and cooked. Bakers bake the dough as a loaf, slice it, then bake it again to create a crisp, dunkable texture.

Q: What are biscotti made of?

Traditional biscotti include flour, sugar, eggs, and flavorings such as almonds, chocolate, citrus, or spices. Some modern versions use almond flour or gluten-free blends.

Q: Why bake biscotti twice?

The second bake removes moisture, which keeps biscotti fresh for weeks and gives them a clean crunch.

Q: How do you eat biscotti?

Enjoy plain or dunk into coffee, tea, hot chocolate, dessert wines, or cordials.

By Bruno LoGreco • Founder, The Biscotti Company

Updated October 2025

If you have ever searched for the biscotti meaning, you are in the right place. I grew up in a Sicilian family where tradition matters. I learned to bake from my grandmother in a kitchen that smelled like almonds, citrus, and stories. Today I bring that same love to our bakery on Long Island, where we make small-batch biscotti with a light sprinkle of sea salt at the end.

“Biscotti” comes from a two-bake method that creates a clean, dunkable crunch.

Biscotti Meaning: What the Word Really Means

The word biscotti comes from Latin. Bis means twice and coctus means cooked. True biscotti are baked as a loaf, cooled, sliced, and baked again. That second bake creates the crisp snap and the long shelf life that make biscotti perfect with coffee, tea, or dessert wine.

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Biscotti History: From Ancient Rome to Today

Biscotti date back to ancient Rome, where sturdy twice-baked breads traveled well. In medieval Tuscany the town of Prato made almond cantuccini famous, often served with vin santo. Over time bakers added chocolate, pistachios, spices, and dried fruit. The result is the variety we enjoy today.

Biscotti Variations: Mandelbrot and Cantuccini

In the 19th century Jewish bakers created mandelbrot, which means almond bread. It is also twice baked, usually a little softer, and often served on Shabbat. Different traditions share the same two-bake spirit.

Mandelbrot almond bread, a twice-baked cousin to Italian biscotti — Mandelbrot shares the twice-baked method with biscotti.

Modern Biscotti Meaning in Today’s Baking

By the 20th century biscotti became a café favorite in the United States. Today you will find options with almond flour, seasonal flavors, and cleaner labels. At our bakery we keep the classic crunch, use simple ingredients, and finish with a touch of sea salt for a bright final note.

In our bakery, biscotti means love. It means handcrafted Italian cookies made with care, using real ingredients and a recipe that started with my Sicilian grandmother.

Biscotti Flavors: Almond, Chocolate & More

From classic almond and anise to lively cranberry pistachio biscotti, there is a flavor for every taste. Our Double Chocolate Biscotti uses black cocoa and Belgian chocolate chunks for a rich chocolate bite with a crisp texture. Many customers say it reminds them of a fudge brownie in biscotti form.

Want to see how we talk about biscotti across the site? Visit our Biscottis page for a friendly guide, top picks, and where to find us.

Assorted handmade Italian biscotti cookies, small-batch and twice-baked — Classic almond to bold chocolate. Always crisp. Always small-batch.

Small-batch
Dairy-free
Handcrafted

How to Enjoy Biscotti

Biscotti are made for dunking. Espresso and cappuccino bring out chocolate and nut notes. Black tea highlights citrus and spice. Many people also enjoy biscotti with dessert wines and cordials.

Our Biscotti Tradition

We bake in small batches using methods passed down through our family. If you are new to biscotti, start with a classic almond biscotti, then try anise or our best-selling Double Chocolate.

FAQ: Biscotti Meaning and How to Eat Them

What does biscotti mean?

It means twice cooked in Italian. The two-stage bake creates the signature crunch.

What are biscotti made of?

Flour, sugar, eggs, and flavorings like almonds, chocolate, citrus, or spices. Some recipes use almond flour or gluten-free blends.

Why bake biscotti twice?

The second bake removes extra moisture, which keeps biscotti fresh and crisp for weeks.

How do you eat biscotti?

Dunk them in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or dessert wine. Or enjoy them plain for a clean crunch.

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Biscotti, What Are They? The Italian Cookie with a Story to Tell