KB: Australia Food

Australian Food

Vegemite

Vegemite is a popular food spread from Australia. Dark, thick, and black, Vegemite is made from yeast and vegetables. In Australia, it is often eaten on toast for breakfast.

Listen to Hayden talk about Vegemite in the video to the right, and answer the questions below:

1. What vitamin does Vegemite contain?

2. When does Hayden eat Vegemite?

3. What does Hayden say is a common mistake?

4. How does Hayden describe the taste?

5. How much Vegemite should you spread on the bread?

Check your answers here

Kangaroo

Kangaroo meat is high in protein and low in fat, and has a number of health benefits. It is different from many other meats sold in the supermarket because it comes from hunted wild animals.

The hunting of kangaroos has been carried out by Australian Aboriginal people for many thousands of year. Today, the Australian government permits hunting of only species of kangaroo with large populations that are not endangered.

Kangaroo meat is very meaty and tastes a little like beef. Many Australian supermarkets stock different cuts of kangaroo including fillets, steaks, minced meat and “kanga bangas” (kangaroo sausages).

Lamingtons

Lamingtons are a type of small sponge cake, first made in Australia. The most common flavours of lamingtons are chocolate and strawberry. They are coated in coconut sprinkles and are a popular treat in Australia, as well as New Zealand and the UK.

You can buy lamingtons at the Ascot Teahouse at British Hills. We recommend trying them with tea!

Tim Tams

One of the most popular biscuits from Australia are called Tim Tams. Tim Tams are made of two thin biscuits with chocolate cream between them. This is then coated completely in chocolate.

The original, classic Tim Tam is chocolate-flavoured, and these are still very popular. However, today there are many other flavours, including white chocolate, chocolate raspberry, coconut cream and peanut butter, double chocolate, chewy caramel and salted caramel.

Tim Tams are a popular present from home for Australians and New Zealanders living overseas, and a great souvenir. You can buy Tim Tams at Victorian Alley in British Hills - just be careful not to eat too many!

What is a typical Australian breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Typically, a weekday breakfast in Australia tends to be a light meal that can be prepared and eaten quickly. Common choices include toast, muffins, or crumpets with jam, honey, or Vegemite, as well as cereal, porridge, and fruit. On weekends, people often have cheese on toast with grilled mushrooms and tomato, avocado, bacon and eggs, sausages, and baked beans.

For lunch, people eat sandwiches, fruit, and salads, or hot lunches such as meat pies, sausage rolls, Chiko rolls (chopped vegetables wrapped in thick pastry and deep-fried), or hamburgers. Kids usually take their lunch to school and eat it outside.

The main meal of the day is dinner, or, as some Australians call it, ‘tea’. These days there really isn’t a typical ‘Australian’ dinner. While it’s true that Australians used to eat a lot of pork and beef, more seafood, chicken and lamb is eaten now, and most beef is very low fat. All kinds of pasta are popular, and many different types of rice are readily available.

Meals are usually eaten with steamed, baked, or grilled vegetables, or salads, and enjoyed with red or white wine. Sunday night dinners are special times when many families enjoy roast lamb with mint sauce, or roast beef with gravy. On warm summer evenings it’s not unusual to have a barbecued dinner outside.

After dinner, adults and children like to enjoy a bowl of ice cream with chocolate, caramel, or strawberry topping.