If you’re traveling around Australia, I’m sure that you will come across some typical Australian food. While you’re here you really should try some of it! From meat you don’t normally find in other supermarkets to chocolate biscuits, to the most common Australian food you should try even though, in my opinion, you probably shouldn’t because some of it is disgusting (Vegemite I’m looking at you!)
Vegemite is the most common one that ‘foreigners’ discover, and more often than not, hate! No matter how many people tell you it’s disgusting you should try it at least once. I’m assuming it’s an acquired taste…
So what is Vegemite? Vegemite is a dark brown paste made from various vegetables, yeast extract and spice additives. It’s a bit like marmite in the UK which had the famous love it or hate it advert as they acknowledged that it’s not to everyones taste. The most popular way to eat it is on bread or toast with butter. Australians also eat it with avocado, melted cheese or tomato. I’ve tried Vegemite and it not only looks and smells disgusting it also tastes disgusting. I thought it would taste like syrup, but it tastes very salty and not sweet at all. You, however, might be one of the many people that love it.
Now this one is really strange and you probably won’t come across it unless you happen to find yourself at a kids party. Fairy Bread is simply white bread with butter sprinkled with hundreds and thousands!
Any backpacker who has traveled through Australia will have tried Australias favourite chocolate biscuit… the Tim Tam. I ate my first Tim Tam after a sea kayaking tour and I loved it! If you eat one, it’s hard not to eat a second or third! I think you must become addicted.
From one of the sea kayak guys I heard that the best way to eat them is the Tim Tam slam: bite the diagonal corners off the Tim Tam and take a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Use the Tim Tam as a straw and suck the drink through the biscuit. Then before it gets too soggy, and falls into your drink, you eat the soft, gooey (warm!) chocolatey goodness. MMM.
For most Americans this next popular Australian food is very peculiar (it was even an eating challenge on one season of the Amazing Race and the competitors were retching because they thought it was so disgusting!) So what is this food that Americans think is so awful? It’s the classic Aussie Meat Pie! (I know… for a lot of us it’s not that strange a concept, however Americans are used to their pies having fruit in them and eating them as dessert so I suppose it is a bit weird to eat a meaty dessert!)
Pies are a popular snack to eat on the go and almost every corner shop, bakery and supermarket will have a display case with lots of hot meaty pies to choose from. There are even specialty pie shops! Australians have many different savoury pies you can buy, however they are usually stuffed with minced meat, gravy, mushrooms, onions and cheese. It’s also a good snack after a long night of partying (better than a kebab!). After drinking and dancing you end the night with a meat pie in your hand, sitting on the pavement waiting for your taxi to go home.
ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that fought together during WWI. ANZAC Day is a public holiday in Australia to celebrate the men that fought for the country. During the war, the wives baked these delicious ANZAC biscuits to send off to their men at war. They were cheap to make and could stay fresh throughout long boat journeys. They are made with coconut, golden syrup and oats… yum!
Ok, I know this doesn’t sound particularly Australian, but this is one of the most common foods you’ll find in an Australian pub. Loads of pubs have a parma night where you can grab a decent priced chicken parma with a beer. A chicken parma is basically a chicken schnitzel (chicken in breadcrumbs), topped with a tasty tomato sauce with melted cheese on top.
People have been making marmalade since the 16th century with recipes and traditions passed on from family to family. But in recent years, fewer Australians appear to be starting the day with a piece of toast covered in the citrus spread.
We’ve been farming this land since 1839 and hope to continue for another 200 years (or more). That’s why taking care of it is so important. We’re proud of our commitment to sustainability and are focused on encouraging future generations to make environmentally friendly choices too. Our jars and lids are not only recyclable themselves but are also made from recycled materials. The ARL icons are there to help you sustainably dispose of your jar (after you’ve scraped out every last drop of the deliciousness, of course) by indicating what can go where!
So what is Vegemite? Vegemite is a dark brown paste made from various vegetables, yeast extract and spice additives. It’s a bit like marmite in the UK which had the famous love it or hate it advert as they acknowledged that it’s not to everyones taste. The most popular way to eat it is on bread or toast with butter. Australians also eat it with avocado, melted cheese or tomato. I’ve tried Vegemite and it not only looks and smells disgusting it also tastes disgusting. I thought it would taste like syrup, but it tastes very salty and not sweet at all. You, however, might be one of the many people that love it.
Any backpacker who has traveled through Australia will have tried Australias favourite chocolate biscuit… the Tim Tam. I ate my first Tim Tam after a sea kayaking tour and I loved it! If you eat one, it’s hard not to eat a second or third! I think you must become addicted.
If you like coconut you’ll love this very Aussie food – the Lamington. A Lamington is basically a square of sponge cake covered in chocolate sauce or sometimes raspberry sauce and then covered in coconut. To begin with I avoided these because I thought they sounded disgusting as I’m not so keen on coconut, however they’re really nice with a cup of tea in the afternoon!
Ok, I know this doesn’t sound particularly Australian, but this is one of the most common foods you’ll find in an Australian pub. Loads of pubs have a parma night where you can grab a decent priced chicken parma with a beer. A chicken parma is basically a chicken schnitzel (chicken in breadcrumbs), topped with a tasty tomato sauce with melted cheese on top.
If you really want to experience some proper Aussie Bush Tucker – then a Witchetty Grub is the way to go. These little fellas taste a little like chicken and contain just as much protein as an entire piece of steak! Aboriginal Australians have eaten these for years and the nutritional benefits may just help you to overcome the gooey texture.
Making Oxford Marmalade | Australian Marmalade Awards
FAQ
Does Australia have marmalade?
Can I take marmalade to Australia?
Are Australians starting the day with marmalade?
Some of the chunkier offerings at the Australian Marmalade Awards in Adelaide. (ABC News: Sarah Hancock) People have been making marmalade since the 16th century with recipes and traditions passed on from family to family. But in recent years, fewer Australians appear to be starting the day with a piece of toast covered in the citrus spread.
What fruit is marmalade made from?
The well-known version is made from bitter orange. It is also made from lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarins, sweet oranges, bergamots, and other citrus fruits, or a combination. Citrus is the most typical choice of fruit for marmalade, though historically the term has often been used for non-citrus preserves.
What happened to Marmalade?
It may have been removed or is no longer available. Fewer Australians appear to be starting the day with a piece of toast covered in the citrus spread, but advocates are keen to preserve marmalade’s place on the breakfast table.
What fruit goes well with marmalade?
You can make this marmalade recipe with any citrus fruit. Try blood oranges, tangelos, mandarins or cumquats, which are our all-time favourite. The Cointreau adds a touch of luxury! Place the oranges in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 hour, until soft.