After watching Muriel’s Wedding, I was very excited that I’d finally get a chance to waste a few minutes of everybody’s life on this blog, gabbing about something pretty much non-film related. Thanks to Muriel Heslops’s diet, however, I feel a bit freer to rant…
Two years ago, my older sister went to Australia to study abroad. When she came home, she naturally brought many gifts and relics from the Land Down Under with her. Amongst the stash were some really neat items like didgeridoos, boomerangs, and other such Aboriginal wares. However, the most magical treasure she bestowed upon friends and family was that of the Tim Tam. Now, you may mutter, "What is this ‘Tim Tam’ you speak of?" and consequently conclude that it must be some indigenous artifact. Well, dear reader, you are poorly mistaken. The Tim Tam is far greater than anything like that…
The Tim Tam is a biscuit! (Or cookie, if you want to be less exciting and more American.)
In Muriel's Wedding, when Muriel brings her hot date (Brice) home, she offers him tea and Tim Tams, a very popular snacking combo in Australia (as I will later explain). The Tim Tam, named after a Kentucky Derby winner of the 50s, is made by the famous biscuit company, Arnott’s. To describe this illustrious treat to you, I will let Wikipedia sing you its song:
“A Tim Tam is composed of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate.”
Mm, sheer poetry! Although this describes the Original (milk chocolate), within the line are various flavors: classic dark, raspberry, caramel, vanilla, even Tim Tam Balls! And there may be more… Alas, I have only ever had the Originals, but I could bet that they are probably the best of the lot.
Click here to visit Arnott's website! (And, no, I do not secretly work for Arnott’s.)
In fact, and quite sadly, I must admit that you really can’t get Tim Tams in the United States. Although a few stores or chains in a few countries (reportedly) sell Tim Tams, you really cannot find them outside of Australia, New Zealand, or New Caledonia (Seriously? If New Caledonians can have them, why can’t the big, bad United States? We could at least invade and steal some!). C'est la vie. I guess there is always mail order...
You may be asking yourself by now why I am writing all of this, so I will explain: To eat a Tim Tam is to connect to the average Australian, the way we must connect with these films! Okay, maybe I’m stretching this here, but if you ever get the chance, treat yourself to an Arnott’s Tim Tam, PLEASE. They are utterly delectable treats and we quickly and devastatingly ran out of the packages my sister returned with those two years ago, though I can still taste the lingering sweetness of a Tim Tam to this day.
In all seriousness, it really is a true Australian experience to eat a Tim Tam. If you do not believe me, watch this video explaining the Tim Tam Slam! Let native Australian Natalie Imbruglia teach you, along with Graham Norton, all about a practice so popular that it has its own Wikipedia page! That must say something about how much Australia enjoys a good Tim Tam.
After all, Muriel Heslop seems to.
1 comment:
Ha! I thoroughly enjoyed this blog post. I feel oddly compelled to eat Arnott's Tim Tams and tea now.
Actually, it's funny because I feel there is a certain kind of delicious, yet elusive biscuit in every culture.
You're on to something with that post...what can culinary customs say about a culture? Bread is life they say, but how is it consumed across the world?
Italy has buscotti, the "twice cooked" biscuit. It was made to last through journeys and wars.
The Shetland Isles have their bannock. It was originally used in rituals to mark the changing of the Gaelic seasons.
For kids who went to Kasteel Well, its the Stroopwaffle we love and miss! The literal translation is "syrup waffle." Picture a big, flat, waffle cookie with caramel in the middle. It's almost like a girl scout cookie, only no aggressive door-to-door pitches or green uniforms are needed to sell them. They are so tasty -- especially with a hot drink like the Tim Tam. They're hard to find in the US, but I think Whole Foods carries them. (I'll seek out the Tim Tam and you try a Stroopwaffel, deal?)
And of course America has their cracker, invented by Massachusetts native John Pearson. Or let's not forget the Sausage Biscuit at Mickey D's.
The Tim Tam and tea tradition could have very well branched from the English tea and biscuits (or "digestive cookies".) Could this be another way for Australia to liberate itself from English roots?
It's funny how tea time got an Aussie upgrade with the Tim Tam Slam. It's a another small but, but distinct example of Australian's unique style. Instead of just soaking their buscuits in tea, they make almost sporting event out of it! Incredible.
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