Why do you get a biscuit with your coffee?
You order a cappuccino at a café, sit down in a restaurant or are offered a cup of coffee at someone’s home. Chances are, there will automatically be a biscuit next to your cup. For many Dutch people, this feels so natural that they hardly give it a second thought.
Yet the biscuit served with coffee is anything but a random custom. Behind this small gesture lies a history spanning more than four centuries. What began as a luxurious treat eventually became a symbol of hospitality and remains an important part of Dutch coffee culture today.
Coffee was once an exclusive luxury
Coffee arrived in the Netherlands in the first half of the 17th century through the Dutch East India Company (VOC). At the time, coffee was expensive and only affordable to the wealthy. Drinking coffee was considered a special occasion and was part of an elegant way of welcoming guests.
When people had visitors, they did not simply serve a cup of coffee. Sweets, marzipan, pastries or small biscuits were often served alongside it. Combining a luxurious drink with something sweet showed that guests were welcome and that care had been taken to make their visit special.
Hospitality was already at the heart of the coffee experience.
From luxury to an everyday tradition
A lot changed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Coffee became more affordable and found its way into an increasing number of households. Gradually, it lost its exclusive status and became a regular part of everyday life.
The custom of serving something sweet with coffee, however, remained. In fact, the biscuit increasingly became a small symbol of care and hospitality.
You can still see this reflected in the familiar Dutch invitation:
“Would you like to come over for a cup of coffee?”
In the Netherlands, many people subconsciously expect that a little something sweet will be served with it as well.
Why did the biscuit become so popular?
A biscuit turned out to be the perfect accompaniment to coffee. Not only because of its flavour, but also for practical reasons.
Biscuits were affordable, easy to keep in stock, had a long shelf life and could be served instantly. Their sweetness also provided a pleasant contrast to the often more bitter coffee people drank in the past.
As a result, Dutch classics such as speculaas, sprits biscuits, Maria biscuits and butter biscuits earned a permanent place next to the coffee cup.
A small gesture, but one that can make a big difference to the overall experience.
The hospitality industry discovered the power of a small extra
Cafés and restaurants soon recognised the value of serving a biscuit alongside coffee.
For a relatively low cost, guests felt they were receiving something extra. It increased the perceived value of a cup of coffee without requiring a significant additional investment from the business.
Even today, we see how small details can make all the difference. A perfectly prepared espresso tastes even better when the presentation is right. A neatly presented saucer, a glass of water or a small biscuit can make the entire coffee experience feel more complete.
That is exactly why many cafés and restaurants in the Netherlands still serve a biscuit with coffee as standard.
The Netherlands is quite unique in this respect
Although coffee is popular all over the world, the Dutch tradition is surprisingly distinctive.
In many other countries, a biscuit is not automatically served with coffee at all.
- Italy: usually just an espresso.
- Australia: often nothing is served with it.
- United States: sometimes a cookie, but certainly not as a standard custom.
- France: occasionally a madeleine or a piece of chocolate.
- Belgium: similar to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is therefore one of the countries where the biscuit has truly become part of coffee culture. Many guests even feel that something is missing when it is not served.
The rise of the individually wrapped biscuit
The well-known individually wrapped cookie is actually a relatively recent development.
Starting in the 1960s and 1970s, coffee roasters and foodservice wholesalers began supplying small, individually wrapped cookies to cafes, restaurants, and hotels. That offered several advantages.
The cookies stayed fresh longer, met hygiene standards better, and were easy to serve. It also turned out to be a smart way to raise awareness of a brand.
Brands such as Lotus Biscoff, Punselie, Verkade, and various private labels took full advantage of this.
Lotus, in particular, transformed the market by positioning speculoos internationally as “The Coffee Biscuit.” The combination of coffee and a Lotus cookie is now recognized worldwide.
More Than Just a Cookie
Perhaps that is the best explanation for the success of this tradition.
A cookie with coffee is much more than just a sweet snack.
It’s a small ritual that subconsciously says:
“You’re welcome. Feel free to take your time.”
It is precisely that sense of care and hospitality that has kept this tradition alive for hundreds of years. Despite the rise of specialty coffee, new brewing methods, and modern coffee shops, the cookie remains a familiar part of the coffee experience.
Sometimes, the greatest hospitality lies in the smallest details.
What can hospitality businesses learn from this?
For restaurant and bar owners, the cookie is more than just a free treat. It contributes to the overall guest experience.
A well-chosen cookie that pairs well with coffee can provide:
- a higher appreciation of coffee;
- a more professional presentation;
- a more welcoming atmosphere;
- a better memento of the visit.
Especially at a time when quality and experience are becoming increasingly important, it’s these small details that guests remember.
Conclusion
A cookie with coffee may seem like a simple tradition, but behind this small gesture lies a rich history. From a luxury item in the 17th century to an integral part of Dutch hospitality: the cookie tells a story of care, warmth, and a guest who is made to feel welcome.
And perhaps that is exactly why this tradition is still so deeply rooted.
Because a good cup of coffee tastes great. A good cup of coffee with a small cookie feels like true hospitality.
