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Australian cuisine is a blend of culinary influences from British, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures. The country's indigenous people, who have lived off the land for over 60,000 years, have a unique hunter-gatherer diet called bush tucker, which includes native flora and fauna such as kangaroo, emu, snakes, lizards, and various nuts and berries. The arrival of European colonists in 1788 brought new ingredients and dishes, including bread, salted meat, and tea, and agricultural products like beef, sheep, and wheat became staples in the local diet. Today, Australia's diverse cuisine includes iconic dishes like meat pies, sausage rolls, avocado toast, and chicken parmigiana, as well as unique treats like fairy bread and Vegemite.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary influence | British, Irish, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, East Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern |
| Traditional meat sources | Kangaroo, wallaby, emu, crocodile, chicken, beef, lamb, pork |
| Traditional seafood sources | Barramundi, southern bluefin tuna, King George whiting, Moreton Bay bugs, mud crab, jewfish, dhufish, yabby, abalone, rock lobster, prawns, shrimp |
| Traditional plant sources | Macadamia nuts, bush berries, fruits, wild honey, wheat |
| Traditional cooking methods | Roasting, braising |
| Traditional dishes | Meat pies, sausage rolls, pasties, Chiko rolls, dim sims, fish and chips, hamburgers, steak sandwiches, chicken parmigiana, avocado toast, fairy bread, Vegemite toast, Tim Tams |
| Common ingredients | Beetroot, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, cheese, gravy, mushrooms, onions, spices |
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What You'll Learn
Meat pies
The classic Aussie meat pie is made with a flaky, golden crust of shortcrust pastry, filled with minced or diced beef and gravy, and topped with puff pastry. The beef should be well-browned to ensure a rich, complex flavour and a deep brown colour. Sometimes, the pies are filled with chunky pieces of beef, and they can also include onions, mushrooms or cheese.
The meat pie was first produced in 1947 by L. T. McClure in a small bakery in Bendigo, becoming the well-known Four'n Twenty pie. This brand has iconic status in Victoria, and other famous pie makers include Patties, Balfours, Vili's, and Mrs Mac's Pies. The annual Great Aussie Pie Competition began in 1989 to promote higher-quality pie production and increase media attention.
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Barbecues
A typical Aussie barbecue also includes other meats like steak, burgers, and seafood, along with bread and tomato or barbecue sauce. Sometimes, salad is included, but the focus is usually on the meat and fish, accompanied by a few "stubbies" (beer).
Meat is a key component of the Australian diet in general, and this is reflected in the classic barbecue. In addition to sausages, burgers, and steak, Australians also enjoy meat pies, which are considered a popular snack and can be purchased at corner shops, bakeries, and supermarkets. These pies are usually stuffed with minced meat, gravy, mushrooms, onions, and cheese.
Australia also has a diverse food culture influenced by various cuisines. The country has embraced Chinese and Thai food, with an abundance of Chinese restaurants in every city and town. Chicken and corn soup, a staple on Chinese restaurant menus, is considered a beloved Australian dish. Additionally, Australians have created their own unique versions of dishes like chicken curry pies and spaghetti bolognese, made with Aussie beef and mushrooms.
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Macadamia nuts
Macadamia trees can take five to twelve years to produce nuts, and the nuts themselves are difficult to crack, requiring specialised machinery. The trees can grow up to 25 metres tall, and the nuts are covered in a vibrant green husk before harvesting. After harvesting, the husk is removed, and the nuts are left to dry in their shells before being cracked open. They can be eaten raw or roasted and flavoured with salt or spices.
Today, macadamia nuts are an important part of Australia's horticulture industry, with the country being the world's leading producer and exporter. They are a popular ingredient in everyday Australian diets and are also used in a variety of breakfast and snack products, contributing to a thriving macadamia industry.
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Indigenous 'bush tucker'
"Bush Tucker" is the colloquial name for edible native Australian plants. These plants come in a variety of forms, from trees to small shrubs, all producing edible fruits, vegetables, and tubers. Macadamia nuts and Davidson Plums are examples of delicious Australian tree crops.
Aboriginal Australians have been eating native animal and plant foods for the estimated 60,000 years of human habitation on the continent. They have used various traditional methods of processing and cooking, as much of the food is unsafe or unpalatable raw. Food was cooked on open fires, boiled in bark containers, or pounded, and vegetables and seeds were hung in bags in running water.
Today, bush tucker is served in cafes and restaurants across Sydney. It is flavourful, sustainable, and healthy, and it is a key piece of the history of the world's oldest civilisation. Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden offers an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, where visitors can learn about plants traditionally used in food and medicine.
Some examples of bush tucker include Warrigal greens (a type of native spinach), saltbush, kangaroo meat, marron, yabbies, emu, crocodile, and locally sourced eels. Native spices are also used for flavour. Producers have sprung up across the country to serve new markets, including Tasmanian pepper, Victorian eel farms, and South Australian plantations of quandongs, bush tomatoes, and native citrus.
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Vegemite
While Vegemite is beloved by many Australians, it has also gained a reputation as an acquired taste. Some people find the strong flavour off-putting, and it is often described as a "love it or hate it" food, similar to its counterpart Marmite in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian cuisine is influenced by various cultures, including British, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern. While there is no single staple food, common dishes include:
- Meat pies
- Barbecue
- Fish and chips
- Pavlova
- Chicken Parmigiana
An Australian barbecue typically includes sausages, burgers, steak, fresh seafood, bread, and tomato or barbecue sauce.
Some unique Australian foods include:
- Vegemite
- Tim Tams
- Cherry Ripe chocolate bar
- Fairy bread
- Chiko Rolls
Indigenous Australians have a unique hunter-gatherer diet, known as "bush tucker," which includes native flora and fauna such as kangaroo, witchetty grubs, macadamia nuts, and bush berries.
Milo is a popular drink in Australia, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, added to ice cream, or eaten straight from the spoon.
