A few years ago, when I took a tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, the best tour guide in the area introduced me (and my tour buddies) to the concept of "peckish treats", or little sweet snacks you eat when you're feeling a little hungry. Now, I have no idea whether this was just her idea, or whether the entire country subscribes to the idea, but I loved it when I was there. Here's a guide to some of the best peckish treats Australia has to offer.
1. Tim Tams
Tim Tams are perhaps my favorite Australian treat. They're chocolate cookies with a milk chocolate filling, coated in more chocolate (somehow it's not overpowering). They have other flavors, but the original is definitely my favorite. The best way to eat a Tim Tam is called the Tim Tam Slam (sounds weird, is amazing). What you do is you get a glass of milk, bite off one corner of the Tim Tam, then bite off the other corner diagonal to the one you just bit. Dunk the Tim Tam in the milk, sucking like the cookie is a straw. As soon as you taste the milk, which will be chocolatey and delicious, pull the Tim Tam out of the milk and eat it in one bite. It's milk's new favorite cookie.
Good news! Tim Tams are available in the US (the only cookie on this list that is). Buy them at Target!
2. Anzacs
Anzacs are kind of a better version of a shortbread and oatmeal cookie hybrid, except they have more flavor and aren't quite as crumbly. Anzacs were actually developed during World War 1. The original cookies were baked by wives of soldiers and sent abroad to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) because the ingredients in them wouldn't spoil easily. They are now a mass produced cookie in Australia, made by the company UNIBIC, although many people still have their own recipes.
3. Cherry Ripes
"Cherry Ripe" is perhaps one of the most misleading names that this candy bar could possibly have. Yes, cherries are an ingredient, but the bar is actually a mix of coconut and cherries coated in dark chocolate. While it is quite delicious, for people who like coconut, the name can and will mislead you. Additionally, much like butterscotches in America, they are kind of the "grandma candy" in Australia.
4. Caramello Koalas
Caramello Koalas are so fun! They're made by the Australian division of Cadbury, and the koala is named George (how fun is that?)! The candy bar comes individually wrapped and they are in the shape of a koala bear. Other than the shape, they're similar to a Rolo, with a caramel center and a milk chocolate outside.
There are many other treats to have in Australia, but these definitely top my list. In fact, I think I'm gonna get some Tim Tams next time I'm at Target. Make your way to Australia and enjoy these delicious treats!
