Cookies are a beloved treat around the world, but they go by different names in different places. In Australia, cookies are typically referred to as “biscuits.” This leads many to wonder, what do they call cookies in Australia if they call them biscuits? The short answer is that Australians use the terms “biscuit” and “cookie” interchangeably when referring to the sweet, baked treat. However, there are some nuances to the terminology that provide insight into Australian culture and history.
Main Differences Between Biscuits and Cookies
While Australians use the terms biscuit and cookie interchangeably, there are some general differences between what other cultures consider biscuits versus cookies:
- Biscuits tend to refer to hard, dry baked goods like the American biscuit, which is more similar to a savory scone.
- Cookies tend to refer to softer, sweeter baked treats like chocolate chip cookies.
- Biscuits are often made with less sugar than cookies and may incorporate savory ingredients like cheese or herbs.
- Cookies often contain more sugar and fat and may use ingredients like chocolate chips or frosting.
However, Australians typically use the term biscuit to refer to all cookie-like treats, whether they are hard or soft, sweet or savory. The term cookie is still used, but biscuit is much more common.
History of Biscuits and Cookies in Australia
The reason Australians favor the term biscuit has to do with the history and origins of baking in Australia. Australia was first colonized by the British in the late 18th century. British settlers brought their recipes and terminology with them, including the use of the word biscuit.
At the time, biscuits referred broadly to baked goods that were dried and hardened to preserve them during long ship journeys. They were made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar and butter or lard. The original cookies as we think of them today evolved from these early travel biscuits.
Over time, as American baking culture emerged, the word “cookie” became more popular to distinguish the soft, chewy, sugary treats from the hard, dry biscuits. But Australia maintained the traditional British lexicon around baked goods. So while Americans may associate biscuits with savory Southern-style cooking, Aussies use the term biscuit in the original British sense to refer to all varieties of cookies and baked sweets.
Common Types of Biscuits in Australia
While Americans may think of Oreos, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies, Australians have their own beloved biscuit varieties:
Anzac Biscuits
Anzac biscuits have an interesting history. They are made with rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar and golden syrup and were sent by wives to soldiers abroad during World War 1. The biscuits kept well during transportation, making them the perfect care package snack. Today they are popular for their simple, hearty ingredients and sweet coconut flavor.
Tim Tams
Tim Tams are an iconic chocolate-covered biscuit sandwich originating in Australia. They consist of two thin, crisp biscuits layered with chocolate cream, coated in textured chocolate. Tim Tams are similar to Penguin brand biscuits in the UK. Most Australians grew up enjoying Tim Tams and they remain a nostalgic favorite today.
Iced Vovos
Iced Vovos feature two round, sweet biscuits sandwiched together with a strip of sweet, pink icing down the middle. The biscuits typically have a light vanilla flavor, while the icing is strawberry or raspberry flavored. Iced Vovos have been popular snacks in Australia since the early 1900s.
Wagon Wheels
Wagon Wheels get their name from their appearance – two round, wheel-like biscuits sandwiching a marshmallow filling. They are coated with a layer of chocolate on the outer biscuits. The biscuits often feature jam dot decorations, enhancing the visual effect of wagon wheels from the pioneer era.
Milk Coffee Biscuits
As the name suggests, these biscuits are designed to be dunked in coffee. They are hard, crunchy biscuits that soften and absorb coffee flavor when dipped, but do not become mushy or fall apart. They are baked with milk powder to give them a malted, nutty flavor that complements the coffee.
How Australians Use the Terms Biscuit and Cookie
Though biscuit is the default term, Australians will sometimes use cookie, especially when talking about American-style cookies. For example, an Australian may refer to “a batch of choc chip cookies” or “mom’s secret cookie recipe.” But generally, biscuit will still be used to refer even to soft, chewy, cookie-like treats.
Some key ways Australians use the terms:
- A tin or jar of biscuits refers to a assorted treats like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, gingerbread etc.
- “Biscuits and tea” is a common social activity, the way Americans may say “milk and cookies.”
- ANZAC or tim tam biscuits refers specifically to those varieties.
- A cookie jar is still called a cookie jar, even if it contains biscuits.
- The kids enjoy biscuits as an after school snack.
So while Australians are certainly familiar with the term cookie, it has not replaced biscuit as the default word for the sweet treat. This small difference provides insight into the lasting influence of British culture and history on Australian English and food terminology.
Other Food Naming Differences
The cookie/biscuit distinction is not the only example of varied food naming conventions between America and Australia:
- Chips = fries
- Crisps = potato chips
- Lollies = candies
- Jelly = jello
- Rocket = arugula
- Capsicum = bell pepper
- Aubergine = eggplant
Again, these differences highlight the effect of British versus American English on Australian vocabulary. So if you’re ever in Australia looking for cookies, be sure to ask for biscuits if you want to sound like a local!
Conclusion
In summary, Australians primarily use the term “biscuit” over “cookie” due to the historical influence of British baking culture and terminology. Cookies as we know them evolved from the early British “biscuit.”
While biscuits and cookies have diverged into somewhat distinct categories in America, Australians use biscuit as an umbrella term for all cookie-like baked goods – whether soft, chewy, crispy or crunchy. The word cookie is still recognized and used at times, particularly in reference to American-style cookies. But it has not replaced the more common and traditional Aussie term: biscuit.
Key Points
- Australians mostly use the term biscuit instead of cookie due to British linguistic origins.
- Biscuits originally referred to hard, dry baked goods for long journeys.
- Cookies emerged later as soft, sweet baked treats.
- Common Australian biscuits include Anzac, Tim Tam, Iced Vovo and Wagon Wheel.
- Aussies will sometimes say cookie for American-style cookies.
- But biscuit remains the default terminology for all cookie-like baked goods.
So next time you visit Australia or interact with an Australian, be aware that biscuits and cookies are synonymous down under! The terminology provides insight into the lasting impact of British culture on Australian English.