Culture and Dietary Information on Australia

Subject
Traditional
Foods and
Regional
Cuisines

Information
Bush tucker dishes are those prepared in the style of those made in the Australian bush country; or campfire cookery in
the outback. They include damper, which is bread made by twisting dough around a stick and cooking over a campfire;
and Billy tea, which is made by boiling water in a can over a campfire and then adding tea leaves to brew. The area is
famous for its vineyards and fresh produce. Many dishes are made with poultry, livestock, and yabbies and hare.
Examples include smoked Mettwurst, Lachsschinken, and Bratwurst sausages.

Religions

More than a quarter of Australians are Roman Catholic, a fifth are Anglican, and a fifth practice other Christian religions.
About a quarter hasnt specified a religion or is not religious.
Anzac Day- Held on the anniversary of the landing of soldiers from Australia Army Corps in Gallipoli, Turkey (April 25,
1915); Anzac biscuits are made.
Christmas- meals include hot turkey, Christmas pudding, seafood, cold turkey and ham for salads, panforte and
panettone (Christmas cake), mince pies, and ice cream.
Australia Day- held on January 26, and celebrated with picnic foods.

Holiday Foods

Mealtimes and
Meal Patterns
Common Foods
Protein Foods
Dairy
Products
Meats
Seafoods
Legumes
Cereals
Nuts
Seeds
Produce
Fruit
Vegetables
Others
Beverages
Fats and oils
Uncommon
Foods

Breakfast- Early in the morning; including foods such as cereal and toast or eggs and bacon; tea
Lunch- In the afternoon (11:30- 2:30); including sandwiches, salad, and fruit
Dinner- In the evening (6:00-9:00); meat or seafood with vegetables, and typically includes a dessert
Vegemite; a dark spread made from brewers yeast extract that includes vegetable extract and spices, Meat Pies, Pavola; a
dessert made with a fruit and cream meringue filling, and Lamingtons; a dessert made with sponge cake, chocolate icing,
and coconut flakes are all common food items found in Australia.
Lobster tail, fish and chips, Kangaroo steak, eggs, and tofu
Milk, milk powder, yogurt, butter, cheese, and cream
Fish, and seafood (lobster, prawn, salmon, tuna), lamb, beef and pork, poultry
Fish, lobster, prawn, salmon, tuna
Dried beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas, tofu
Wheat, oats, lupin, sorghum, barley
Almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts
Pumpkin, sesame, sunflower
Mango, lychee, ranbutan, papaya, banana, pineapple, jackfruit, star apple, passion fruit
Carrots, potatoes, broccoli, celery, capsicums, zucchini, cabbage, white onion
Coffee, wine, tea, soft drinks
Butter, vegetable oil, margarines, peanut oil, other various oils
Burger rings (like potato chips), Chiko roll (like a Chinese egg roll), Bacon and egg pie, Potato cake (deep fried potato),
vegemite, Dagwood dog (deep fried frankfurter encased in crispy dough-pre-dipped in ketchup)

References:
1. McWilliams, M, Foods Around the World: A Cultural Perspective, 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall; 2011
2. Australia Traditions. Food. (2001). Retrieved from http://acad.depauw.edu/~mkfinney/teaching/Com227/culturalportfolios/australia/trads.htm. Accessed on October 11, 2015.

Culture and Dietary Information on Australia

3. Australian Government. Department of Health. Retrieved from eatforhealth.gov.au. Accessed on October 11, 2015.