What could be more traditional for tea than a Tunnock's Tea Cake! (especially if you are either from Scotland or part of the wider Scottish diaspora - which I am though about four generations down the line). Certainly, they have been a teatime favourite of mine since boyhood. There are alternatives, mostly cheaper and some with jam in them but- apart from M&S's- I don't think they come close for quality and flavour. And where I live the nearest M&S is a £5 bus ride away.

The tea cakes come in a box of six resplendent in the Tunnock's colours of deep yellow and red with red lettering and complete with a depiction of a lion rampant holding a Tunnock's banner with the words "Est. 1890 still a family business". Heavens! They've been around longer than I have (a lot longer). The cakes come individually wrapped in silver and red foil so keep fresh even when the box is opened.

Unwrapping one releases a sweetish chocolatey aroma and on tasting it I find the chocolate covering to be firm but thin enough to break into easily; the taste is sweet but definitely chocolate. Immediately under the chocolate is the marshmallow centre, which is soft, sweet and creamy with a distinct taste of white of egg. Finally the biscuit base, though a bit overwhelmed by the marshmallow and chocolate covering, is pleasantly crunchy perhaps a bit like a digestive though with a finer texture. The overall combination certainly hits the yummy button for me. At just under an ounce (24g) they are quite small though not tiny. I try to make one do but since not everyone in the family likes them (!) I often get a second or even a third, which is enough to give me a sugar rush and consequent headache, something I'm prone to.

I was interested to see that the ingredients information on the back is in two languages, English and Arabic. I don't know why they should be popular in the Middle East but presumably they are. Using my rudimentary knowledge of the language I looked in vain for the word "Halal" - indicating they would be lawful for Muslims to eat - though they are marked as suitable for vegetarians (in English). Deciphering a bit further I could make out the name "Thomas Tunnock" in Arabic script but most of the rest was too small for me to read.

That nutritional information:

Kcal: 106
Sugars: 8.6g
Fat: 4.6g (2.5 g saturates)
Salt: 0.12g

The saturated fat content is particularly high. Eight of these and you've had your daily allowance for adults. You have been warned!

Tunnock's are based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire which is now effectively a Glasgow dormitory town about 15 minutes by train from Glasgow Central. I understand visits can be arranged if you are interested.

Website at www.tunnock.co.uk

Buying tip. These are usually 89p in Aldi.