Mauritius : A Taste of Heritage at Biscuiterie H. Rault – Mahebourg’s Hidden Gem

As I entered the property, I could smell the fresh air of the Domaine lying serenely under the watchful eye of an impressive hundred year old  Indian Almond tree and, as I reached closer to the factory, I was greeted by the good smell of biscuits baking. The building stood in the far end of the yard, rustic and proud, bearing silent testimony to over a century of Mauritian tradition.

I was welcomed warmly and invited on a guided tour that opened a fascinating window into the 155-year-old craft of cassava biscuit-making — a family legacy passed on genuinely from one generation to the next. The biscuiterie traces its roots to 1868–1870, when Hilarion Rault, descendent from a Breton settler devised the first recipe for cassava (manioc) galettes in Mahébourg to supply the island during World War 1, due to wheat and butter rationing during wartime. He then launched the commercial production of cassava biscuits around 1870’s.

The manufacturing process itself was captivating knowing that it has remained virtually unchanged for over 150 years which is testament to unfading artisanal tradition. It’ s important to note that the process is 100% sustainable : the artisanal methods include: drying ovens fueled by dried sugarcane or banana leaves, an old weighing scale from the 1800s, a manual cassava grinder and press, handcrafted baking on hotplates and water drawn from a nearby river by a century-old hydraulic pump, filling up an ancient well.

I was mesmerized as the ladies, with practiced ease, cooked the cassava powder over heated stoves. One woman, in particular, caught my attention as she packed the biscuits by hand with the precision and speed of a machine — a beautiful dance of tradition and skill.

What makes these biscuits so special? They are 100% local, authentic, gluten-free, with no preservatives nor artificial colouring and are crafted from locally grown cassava. In other words, a 100% Made in Moris product. The galettes were also re-introduced at some point in time and you can find both products in different fragrances amongst the most exotic ones : coconut, vanilla, sesame, aniseed to name a few.

At the end of the tour, I was treated to a delightful tasting session. Accompanied by a cup of Mauritian tea, I sampled a variety of biscuits and galettes in different flavours. Each bite was a celebration of Mauritian heritage — simple, yet deeply rooted in Mauritian culture. With nostalgia, I began to think of this family who, generation after generation, despite life’s ups and downs, have managed to preserve a tradition that allows us today to take a step back in time and savour the iconic cassava biscuit of so many Mauritians’ childhood!

As I left, biscuit boxes in hand, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration and hope. That this traditional biscuit, so anchored in our Mauritian identity, continues to live on for another 155 years — and beyond.

If you’re seeking an authentic, immersive experience on Mauritius island, Biscuiterie H. Rault is not to be missed.

Zafi