They are considered a quick bread, made with baking powder instead of yeast. In the southern part of the US, biscuits are a delicacy during Thanksgiving meals.

Some other popular breads consumed at Thanksgiving include:

• Crusty White Bread
• Yeasted Pumpkin Bread
• Dinner Rolls
• Parker House Rolls
• Stuffing Buns
• Overnight Buns
• Olive-Rosemary Focaccia With Pistachios
• Gluten-Free Potato Bread
• Sourdough Bread
• Cornbread

Origin of biscuits

The origin of biscuits can be traced back to Scotland, where they were and still are known as scones. This recipe first appeared in print in the 16th century, and called for oat and barley dough. With the replacement of wheat for the oat and barley, the bread became lighter and fluffier. The original dish had no added sugar. European colonists took it to the New World in the 1700s. The agricultural conditions and availability of buttermilk, lard, and especially soft wheat, allowed it to become a popular delicacy in the southern part of the US.

Nutrition

Nutritional profile for biscuit (1 piece):

Biscuits contain micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, folate, and folic acid in decent quantities. Although this dish can be enjoyed from time to time with protein-rich breakfast platters, it is best to consume it with unsaturated fats like plant oils, rather than lard or butter. However, this food is not advisable for patients with celiac disease or other gluten intolerance due to the presence of wheat. 

Commercial production

The commercial production of this bread requires flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and sodium bicarbonate. The ingredients are all added to a bowl and kneaded. Then, buttermilk is added and the dough is kneaded again until moist. After that, the dough is rolled into balls and cut into shape by a biscuit cutter. Finally, they are baked in a preheated oven for around 15 minutes until they rise and become golden brown. Nowadays, as consumers become more health-conscious, substitutions for ingredients such as buttermilk and butter are more common.

Biscuits recipes

These can be prepared with different flavors and stuffings. Here are a few recipes to try:

• Buttermilk Biscuit
• Bubble Bread
• Hallulla
• Monkey Bread
• Butter Biscuit
• Honey Biscuit
• Cream of Tartar Biscuit
• Cheesy Garlic Biscuit
• Soda Bread Biscuit

FDA regulations

The FDA regulates all breads under the umbrella term of bakery products. Bread is defined as food produced by baking mixed yeast-leavened dough prepared with wheat. In order to be classified as bread, the product must have at least 62 percent solids. Biscuits are also subject to these standards.

References

Julia Moskin, Biscuits and Scones Share Tender Secrets, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/dining/biscuits-and-scones-share-tender-secrets.html 

Melini, Valentina, and Francesca Melini. “Gluten-Free Diet: Gaps and Needs for a Healthier Diet.” Nutrients vol. 11,1 170. 15 Jan. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11010170, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6357014/