Ginger nut is best dunk

It is a question that has perplexed scientists for years. Dozens of studies have been performed, and experts have long argued over the results.

But new research claims it has finally cracked the problem of exactly which biscuit is best for dunking. For the ultimate dunk, the ginger nut is the only answer, apparently.

More than 100 people were canvassed in the study and a "dunkability index" was created. A key finding was the optimum dunking time of three seconds, allowing tea to soak into the biscuit while minimising the risk of collapse.

William Sitwell - ES Magazine food critic and editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated, which conducted the research - said: "We discovered in ginger nuts the ginger was really magnified when it was dunked. We also found a vast difference in the amount of time biscuits last. Some crumbled in seconds, while the Cadbury's finger actually lasted two hours."

Mr Sitwell called for biscuit makers to take dunkers into account. "I think they definitely need to look at how their recipes react with tea. It's something their customers are demanding. This is a really important part of our national cuisine and I think it should be recognised."