What is a Tim Tam?
A Tim Tam is a chocolate biscuit made by Australian company Arnott's, first sold in 1964. It consists of two chocolate malted biscuits with a chocolate cream filling, coated in chocolate.
Arnott's food technologist Ian Norris came up with the idea after seeing the British Penguin biscuit on a world tour. He set out to make a better version.
The biscuit was named after a horse called Tim Tam, which won the Kentucky Derby in 1958. Ross Arnott, from the Arnott family, had attended the race.
The Tim Tam Slam
A popular way to eat a Tim Tam is the Tim Tam Slam, also called the Tim Tam Explosion. You bite off opposite corners, dip one end in hot coffee, tea or milk, and suck the drink through the biscuit like a straw before it melts.
Arnott's has released many flavours over the years, including Double Coat, Chewy Caramel, White Chocolate and limited editions in collaboration with other brands, but the Original remains the best seller.
Australians living abroad often say Tim Tams are among the foods they miss most, and visitors take packets home as souvenirs. Arnott's, founded in Newcastle in the 1860s, is now owned by an American investment firm, but Tim Tams are still made in Australia.
Did You Know?
Australians eat millions of packets of Tim Tams each year.