Cat's Tongues: A Treat That Shouldn't Be Missing from Your Table

Cat’s tongues are a traditional sweet that has transcended time across various cultures around the world. 

Their presentation and ingredients can vary, but that hasn’t prevented them from being considered one of those treats that should always be present on the table—a practical and easy-to-make dessert.

In the Philippines and Spain, cat’s tongues have become classic desserts that are always present at family gatherings. The traditional preparation of cat’s tongues includes different types of flours depending on the country, along with butter, eggs, and milk, completing a recipe that continues to be recreated in these and other regions.

In the Philippines, the traditional shape of cat’s tongues is oval, making them a type of cookie consumed very frequently. In contrast, in Spain, this delicious dessert takes a more elongated form.

History of Cat’s Tongues Around the World

The earliest historical records involving cat’s tongues reveal that they were originally called "biscotto savoiardo" and are believed to date back to the 15th century. They were created as part of a celebration welcoming the King of France to the court of the Duchy of Savoy, a governing body that could approve or deny the visit of monarchs.

Over time, these cookies continued to be made for such events in the Duchy of Savoy, which is why they initially took the name "savoy biscuits," even being recognized at the time as the only official cookies of the court and produced for major events.

The original name for these Savoy biscuits was "savoiardi," a term that was initially spread across Europe. Concurrently, a very similar recipe was adopted in the United Kingdom and named "Lady Fingers" due to their elongated shape. Both terms correspond to what is known in Spain as cat’s tongues, a term also used in some regions of Asia, such as the Philippines.

Cat’s tongues are popular in many countries, with different names for each region. For example, in Latin America, they are called "Soletas" in Mexico, "plantillas" in Venezuela, and "Biscoletas" in Peru and Ecuador.

Cat’s Tongues at La Violeta

In Spain, Caramelos La Violeta was one of the first to produce cat’s tongues on a large scale. Initially, with the opening of the store in 1915, the focus was on the mass production of violet-flavored candies. This was the initial vision of Don Mariano Gil and his wife, Doña Pilar Temiño, which gradually began to include more and more candy options.

Today, the cat’s tongues made by Caramelos La Violeta include a chocolate coating, alternating the traditional recipe of flour, butter, eggs, and milk. Due to their popularity, Caramelos La Violeta offers direct shipping services for bulk orders during October, November, and December, coinciding with autumn and Christmas.

Additionally, the bulk order shipping service extends to January and February, covering occasions like Epiphany and spring. For the rest of the year, cat’s tongues can be found at the physical Caramelos La Violeta store, located for over a hundred years at Plaza de Canalejas 6, Madrid, Spain.