Australia is a truly diverse nation, with a mix of cultures and cuisines widely accepted across the board. In this smorgasbord of cultures and identities, Australia has managed to carve out its distinct culinary creations with their own quirky tastes and even quirker backstories. If you are a true connoisseur of Aussie snacks, ordering snack gift hampers from an Australian retailer will give you a great spread of options to explore. With that in mind, let’s look at some classic dishes that are a part and parcel of an Australian’s life:
1. Vegemite
Perhaps one of the most divisive culinary creations from down under, Vegemite has evolved to become a classic staple in Aussie households. Developed in 1923 by Dr Cyril Callister in Melbourne, it was an attempt to create a local alternative to the British Marmite.
Developed from a brewer’s yeast extract, it struggled to gain a foothold at first. However, when Marmite was unattainable during World War 2, Vegemite became a substitute in the rations of the Australian troops. From then on, it was portrayed as a patriotic and proud product of Australia. While it tends to elicit reactions as strong as its taste, it has cemented to be a treasured national icon. People from other cultures often tend to aggressively slather it on as if it’s something like Nutella, but as Hugh Jackman schooled the world, it’s best eaten with a very thin spread on decent buttered toast.
2. Tim Tams
Who doesn’t love Tim Tams? These are sweet, creamy and dangerously addictive biscuits. Invented by Arnott’s in 1964, it was named after a winning horse that the founder saw in the US. The ‘Tim Tam Slam’ is now almost a rite of passage and a very popular ritual where you bite off both ends and sip your coffee through the biscuit. While the classic chocolate variant remains the top seller, other new flavours like salted caramel and dark chocolate have also caught the public imagination.
3. Lamington
Popular local lore suggests that this spongy cake was accidentally invented by a nervous maid who dropped a sponge cake in chocolate. However, the reality is less accidental. It was the creation of Lord Lamington’s chef in Brisbane, who quickly whipped up something sweet by dipping leftover cake in chocolate and rolling it in coconut for unexpected guests. Needless to say, it was an instant hit. You’ll even find them filled with jam or cream in stores across Australia.
4. Meat Pie
While not a true Aussie invention, the humble meat pie got an Aussie twist as far back as the 1800s. The hefty pie of England was transformed into a quick grab-and-go snack. Brands like Four & Twenty duly played their part in popularising meat pies. In fact, Four & Twenty produces a mind-boggling 50,000 pies every hour.
5. Fairy Bread
Australia’s answer to Willy Wonka’s chocolate, the Fairy Bread is soft white bread spread with butter and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands (rainbow sprinkles). The earliest newspaper references to fairy bread date back to the 1920s. It seems like no one’s quite sure who invented it, but it’s now a fixture at Aussie kids’ birthday parties. The name may have been inspired by a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, though.
6. Chiko Roll
This footy favourite was created in 1951 by Frank McEncroe, a boilermaker turned caterer. He wanted to make something specifically for footy fans, something that could survive the rough handling and serve as a hearty one-handed snack at the game. Inspired by Chinese Spring Rolls, these are deep-fried thick doughy casings filled with beef, cabbage, barley, celery and spices.
7. Anzac Biscuits
Associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during WWI, wives and women’s groups baked these eggless biscuits to send to soldiers, to keep them well during long sea voyages. Made with oats, coconut, golden syrup, and baking soda, they were intended to last long and provide decent nutritional value to the soldiers.
8. Pavlova
Created by chef Bert Sachse at the Esplanade Hotel in Perth in 1935, Pavlova is a baked meringue in a cake-like form with a crisp crust and soft light interior. It is usually topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. While our Kiwi neighbours might not agree with the origin story, what is mutually accepted is that it was inspired and named after a popular Russian ballerina who toured the region in the 1920s.
From the divisive Vegemite to the beloved Lamingtons, Australian snacks cover the full spectrum. Some can be easy to cook while some demand time and attention. Some are inspired by other cuisines, whereas some are a byproduct of scarcity. Despite their contrasting qualities, they have one thing in common: they’re all forged Down Under.
