What Do Australians Eat?

Australia Favorite Foods

What do Australians eat? All types of food, a truly diverse range of dishes are on the menu.

There isn’t a traditional Australian cuisine. But Australian cooking is similar to the personality of the country: vibrant and multicultural.

Australia food has it all: a cascade of colours, textures, flavours, tastes. You will find a combination of crisp Mediterranean greens and pasta, Middle Eastern rich mixtures of exotic ingredients, wide assortments of Asian vegetables or hot and spicy finger food.

It all began with the traditional roast beef, chips and puddings and they are still doing great today as some of Australia favorite foods during the cooler winter days. Then people started to experience more and more new food items and cooking recipes belonging to different cultures.

Australian Cuisine – a Delicious
Fusion of Diverse Cuisines

Various immigrant ethnic groups have brought their own flavours and tastes.

It was probably the Greeks who planted their olive trees first. Olive oil is now an ingredient used extensively in Australian cooking. It works well with the fresh salads that many Aussies eat for lunch. It is delicious with sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese with herbs, as an appetiser.

Italians, who are passionate about coffee, developed a whole new culture – the much sought after café culture. Today the terminology has extended from the hot, strong beverage to a whole new lifestyle. Australians prefer to live in suburbs that have a "café strip" – streets with plenty of small cafes, where they can enjoy lazy "al fresco" brunches on weekends.

And if you think you can get away with asking for just a coffee, think again. The barista will look at you confused and expect you to finish the sentence. There’s no such thing as coffee, the Australian coffee universe is really broad.

Think espresso, then latte – coffee with steamed milk served in a glass, then flat white – espresso with velvety milk foam. Pour less steamed milk, add a dash of cocoa or chocolate and you have cappuccino or simply "cap". You can also take a skim cap which is cappuccino with low fat milk. Other orders include long black, macchiato, mocha, decaffeinated or "decaff" and the list goes on and on.

In responding to the "what do Australians eat" question you can’t ignore Asian food. It tops the preferences of the large majority of food lovers with so many tasty varieties, amazing blends and abundant aromas.

And seafood is big in Australian cuisine.

A visit to the fish market will get your taste buds craving for the fresh and beautiful scallops, giant lobsters, prawns and large assortment of fish such as the barramundi, salmon or tuna. Very yummy and healthy.

But the food that unifies the nation is the "barbie", the Aussie short for barbecue.

Gather your family and friends, put the meats and beer in your "esky" (cooler box) and head to one of the many parks around you. Fire an electric or wood barbie that is available for free (or sometimes for a coin), throw on lamb chops, beef steaks, sausages or prawns, grab your beer and enjoy your weekend.

Native Australia Foods

Macadamias are native plants that produce excellent nuts. They are a delicacy, eaten as such or used in various recipes. And they are the only indigenous Australian plant to become a big food item internationally.

Kangaroo meat is available for sale in supermarkets, fillets or minced. It is an excellent lean meat but the majority prefers beef, pork and lamb or poultry.

You can try emu or crocodile if you go out for dinner. But these are not your everyday food.

What Do Australians Eat
When Going Out?

Eating out is an enjoyable experience with so many eateries that offer all the variety of flavours you can think of. You can go for all types of succulent Asian foods, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern healthy sensations, South American spicy dishes - just open your local directory and you are guaranteed to find a restaurant to please the most sophisticated food connoisseur.

But take care with the size of your portion.

Did I mention the wine? Australia is not only the world’s 5th largest producer, it has also won a strong reputation for quality wine. You will always be able to choose something from the large array of both reds and whites to match your dish.

What Do Australians Eat
on Special Days?

Prawns, oysters, turkey, ham and pudding have their special place for Christmas and New Year's day.

Lamb is big on Australia Day and for Easter too. I don’t think I’d make a mistake if I say that lamb is actually the Australian "national meat".

Continue reading here: Australian Values

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