Water Cracker

A water cracker is a thin, crisp, neutral-tasting wheat cracker, usually round and pale golden with a dry, shattering snap; it stays firm under soft cheeses and spreads. Its mild flavor and light crunch suit cheese boards, canapes, and snacking; common retail forms are plain, lightly salted, or peppered.

Originating as British water biscuits, it evolved from simple flour-and-water doughs baked hard for keeping, later refined for table service. It spread through British-influenced cuisines and global entertaining, now produced industrially by laminating thin dough and baking to a brittle finish.