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Tim Tam

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For other uses, see Tim Tam (disambiguation).
A close up view of a Tim Tam

Tim Tams (also known as Arnott's in North America) are an approximately box-shaped chocolate biscuit made by Arnott's Biscuits, Australia. 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. They are also a hot favourite in neighbouring New Zealand.

According to Arnott's, around 30 million packs are sold each year – nearly 300 million biscuits, an average of approximately 1.5 packs per Australian.[1] Tim Tams were first put onto the market in 1964.[1] They were named by Ross Arnott, who attended the 1958 Kentucky Derby and decided that the name of the winning horse Tim Tam was perfect for a planned new line of biscuits.[2]

Varieties

In recent years Arnott's have developed variations of Tim Tams including Chewy Caramel, Mocha, Double Coat, Chilli Chocolate, Classic Dark Chocolate, Black Forest Fantasy, Creamy Truffle Temptation and the latest Choc Orange, as well as a range of special edition varieties. In September 2005, Arnott's launched Tim Tam Balls, a smaller spherical version of the biscuit. A special edition stawberry variety was released in September 2006 with a portion of sales to benefit a breast cancer charity.

In 2004 Arnotts caused a controversy when they released a range of alcohol-flavoured varieties of their products, including Tia Maria Tim Tams. Suggestions were made that selling these biscuits in supermarkets was irresponsible as minors could get hold of the product. However, it would take several thousand Tim Tams for the alcohol to take effect.[3]

For people living outside of Australia or New Zealand, it is possible to import Tim Tams, but no longer through Arnott's (they have permanently closed their online store); some international supermarkets are supplying Tim Tams:

  • In the United Kingdom, a similar style of biscuit called McVities' Penguins (which actually predate the Tim Tam by about thirty years) is widely available. However, brand loyalty and patriotism from Britain's large expatriate Australian population have prompted Tesco, and other supermarket chains to import and sell the Original, Chewy Choc Fudge, and Chewy Caramel flavours.
  • In the United States, Tim Tams were sold on a trial basis in supermarkets in 2001 under the brand name "Double Trouble". Several companies sell mail order Tim Tams (along with many other Australian foods) in the United States. As of late, Tim Tams can be found on the shelves of Cost Plus World Market retailers under the name Arnott's Originals. Also, as of September 2006, World Market is also carrying the Chewy Caramel and Double Coat varieties.
  • Another place in the United States to find Tim Tams is Jungle Jim's International Market near Cincinnati, Ohio. Jungle Jim's carries several varieties, such as Original, Double Coat, and Caramel.
  • In Canada they are available under the name Arnott's Biscuits. In Vancouver they are available at the Real Canadian Superstore.

There are also a number of Tim Tam "copycat" versions by competing companies, including New Zealand's Chit Chats and the controversial "Temptin" produced by Dick Smith's food company, Dick Smith Foods.[4]

Tim Tam Slam

Main article: Tim Tam Slam

The Tim Tam Slam, also known as the Tim Tam Suck, Tim Tam Explosion, Tim Tam Orgasm, Tim Tam Straw, Shot-gunning a Tim Tam, or just plain Tim Tamming is the main form of Tea Sucking and involves biting off opposing corners of the Tim Tam and then using it as a 'straw' to suck up a hot beverage (usually tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or Milo) and then, just before the biscuit falls apart, it is placed in the mouth. The thicker chocolate coating on the Double Coat Tim Tam offers a more stable exoskeleton to help ensure the biscuit does not collapse prematurely. The Chewy Caramel variety also has an advantage for performing the Tim Tam Slam since the caramel centre helps to hold the biscuit together for a slightly longer time. The Arnott's company prefers the name Tim Tam Suck.

A Tim Tam Slam has been successfully performed by Natalie Imbruglia and host Graham Norton on the So Graham Norton television series in the United Kingdom. American actress Jennifer Love Hewitt also successfully performed one live on Rove McManus's Australian talk show Rove Live after professing her love for the biscuit.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Pulley, Roz (2005-09-24). "Welcome to Cairns... Tim Tam capital of OZ". The Cairns Post. News Corporation. p. 3. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Arnott's Product Range - Tim Tam". Arnott's Biscuits Limited. 2005. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
  3. ^ Alcohol-flavoured treats attacked, The Age, 4 February 2004.
  4. ^ Needham, Kirsty: Branding rivals will never take the biscuit, says Mr Tim Tam, The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 April 2003.
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