Comments on: Tim Tam Slam

Tim Tam Slam

ninazer0 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:43:36 -0800

It's a bickie, not a cookie. Named after the winner of the 1958 Kentucky Derby, it's Australia's equivalent to the iconic Oreo. How do they make them? How do you eat them? Tim Tams! They almost make up for the Vegemite.

By: cheaily

cheaily — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:46:49 -0800

To be a pedant, Tim Tams technically fall under the genus Chockie Bickie. A bickie has no chocolate coating.

By: sevenyearlurk

sevenyearlurk — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:47:04 -0800

Tim Tams are awesome. I was so excited to learn they've recently become available in Canada.

By: Talez

Talez — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:48:26 -0800

Hold on one cotton picking minute. Vegemite is awesome. The problem is the yanks keep applying it an inch thick like they're spreading peanut butter on thick toast. Sure we put it on that thick because we've been eating it our entire lives but if you're not used to it you'll probably end up scarred for life if you put that much vegemite on a piece of bread and bite down.

By: gman

gman — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:49:34 -0800

This dude has turned me off them forever.

By: fearfulsymmetry

fearfulsymmetry — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:58:29 -0800

Oh I see... a Penguin.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:58:54 -0800

You're forgetting the special limited edition Vegemite TimTam, created to mark the anniversary of Prime Minister Harold Holt's historic meeting with the Chinese. Of course, the Vegemite TimTam has its own particular kind of slam - it goes best with a nice hot mug of Bonox.

By: FritoKAL

FritoKAL — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:01:43 -0800

Vegemite is awesome. I think some of the problem is the vast number of Aussies who seem to think it's hi-larious to feed us 'yanks' Vegemite toast with it spread on like peanut butter. Despite that most of them insist they don't actually eat it that way. Which I don't understand, because if you want us to like the stuff, don't serve it in a way that makes people run away! I'm American and I love the stuff in moderate amounts. But all my Aussie friends say they don't put it on thickly.) Wheat toast, butter, Vegemite. It's my breakfast about half the time (so long as I can get my hands on Vegemite, which is harder than it sounds sometimes) I love Tim Tams, but the Tim Tam Slam just grosses me out. Soggy cookies are NOT made of win.

By: netbros

netbros — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:11:51 -0800

hmm, Wanna Tim Tam?

By: Pronoiac

Pronoiac — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:13:19 -0800

It wasn't mentioned, but: They're available at Target in the States right now, for a limited time.

By: Effigy2000

Effigy2000 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:20:35 -0800

When I first introduced my partner to the Tim Tam Slam, she was dubious. Now that's the only way she'll eat Tim Tams. The way they disintegrate in your mouth, especially on a cold winters night... well, it's just awesome. The double chock Tim Tams are great, by the way.

By: dabcad

dabcad — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:28:33 -0800

As a kid, I used to deconstruct them by nibbling off the sides, removing the top and peeling the filling out. Vegemite rocks but needs equal parts butter.

By: i_am_joe's_spleen

i_am_joe's_spleen — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:29:41 -0800

I was first introduced to this in 1988, under the name Tim Tam Orgasm. I believe "slam" is some marketer's bowdlerisation.

By: robotot

robotot — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:30:35 -0800

Effigy2000: Double choc Tim Tams are indeed the greatest Tim Tam spin off ever made. I find a nice variation of the Tim Tam Slam can be acheived with Earl Grey tea instead of coffee. It's the only way I eat them now. ...and btw I've tried an Oreo once, but they're not a patch on the Tim Tam.

By: Coaticass

Coaticass — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:36:10 -0800

I quite like Iced Vo-Vos, and not just in honour of our Prime Minister. My guests won't eat them though. I probably should be feeding them vegemite.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:38:23 -0800

Vegemite-covered Tim Tam, please.

By: dunkadunc

dunkadunc — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:39:47 -0800

I had a lady come into my store this summer who asked me if we had any 'bikkies'. It took a while to find out what she really wanted, too, since she assumed that everyone would know what a 'bikkie' was and kept repeating the word at me. ... And then there were all the people who came in asking if we had any 'Italians'. They were really thrown off when I told them that actually, most of the people working there were from the Czech Republic.

By: DU

DU — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:44:42 -0800

OMG! I just ate my first Tim Tam fewer than 10 minutes ago! I saw a video of a Tim Tam Slam (can't search for it--too excited) a week ago and found out they were on sale at Target and my wife came home with them and I tried them and they are yummy! The caramel ones are a little oddly textured but the "other" ones were great!

By: gemmy

gemmy — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:51:33 -0800

They have Tim Tams at Target? I know where I'm going shopping tomorrow. Tim Tams rule!

By: Megami

Megami — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:55:32 -0800

Re foods being called different stuff - when we first arrived in the UK we were at a restaurant and I asked for Squash. In Australia, Squash is a lemon softdrink, as in the lemon in a lemon, lime and bitters. The waiter looked at me weirdly, and asked what flavour. I said lemon (of course) and got served up what we would call Cordial. A few days later we went to the supermarket to buy stuff, and asked where they kept the cordial. Only to be shown that they have elderflower and lime and that is it. Looking around we found the 'squash' section and it clicked. (for Americans - think Kool-Aid for cordial/squash) I no longer eat dairy, but when I did I was a bit partial to the traditional Tim-Tam. All of the modern abominations (chilli? caramel?) leave me cold, but I do miss real Tim-Tams.

By: concrete

concrete — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:04:55 -0800

...and btw I've tried an Oreo once, but they're not a patch on the Tim Tam. Try the Paul Newman sandwich cookies - they´re a lot better.

By: pompomtom

pompomtom — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:07:44 -0800

Soggy cookies are NOT made of win. You're doing it wrong. The middle bit is meant to melt into choco-coffee sludge, but the whole lot should be in your gob before the biscuit part becomes soggy.

By: pompomtom

pompomtom — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:07:58 -0800

...and closing tags is for losers.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:15:22 -0800

While we're on the subject of Vegemite, I'd like to plug my favourite way of eating it: on raisin toast with lots of butter. This isn't a joke, either - I got the suggestion from a Vegemite jar, tried it & never looked back - *YUM*! (and on the subject of Prime Ministers, i'd bet my bottom dollar that John Howard never in his life had a TimTam slam)

By: web-goddess

web-goddess — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:16:06 -0800

Ladies and gentlemen, behold THE GIANT TIM TAM. My husband created that monster for our Halloween party. Here he is cutting it in two. It used 1.2 kilos of chocolate. He's planning on submitting it to that Pimp My Snack website. Of course, we only ate like 5% of it at the party. So I've had a 2-pound bag of chopped up Giant Tim Tam on my counter for the past month...

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:18:25 -0800

How, pray tell, does one get a job in this room?

By: JustAsItSounds

JustAsItSounds — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:23:49 -0800

Oh I see... a Penguin The resemblance to a Penguin is superficial only. Tim Tams are less dense and have a lighter chocolate flavour - all the better to facilitate the Tim Tam Orgasm-o-slam. Also tim Tams travel in packs of 12 or more. I have not seen an individually wrapped Tim Tam.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:28:16 -0800

Also tim Tams travel in packs of 12 or more. Fool. Tim Tams, like all consumer products, are packaged in groups of prime numbers (in this case, 11), so they can never be fairly divided among any group of people.

By: turgid dahlia

turgid dahlia — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:33:51 -0800

Marmite is better. [NOT YEAST-IST]

By: rmd1023

rmd1023 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:38:37 -0800

i do loves me some tim tams.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:46:22 -0800

Jimbob - is the 11 bickie packet designed so that you're compelled to buy more than one? Luckily, our beneficient supermarket chains have come to the rescue of us long-suffering consumers on that score. I'm talking about Coles & their latest great marketing scheme: discounts that apply only if you buy two or more of the item in question. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm so thrilled at the concept of buying two loaves of bread at once that I've gone back to patronising my local Vietnamese bakery. (and we all know how that sounds: "Hey, your bread is actually alright...have you ever considered adding a cup of sugar into the dough for each loaf?") Also, web-goddess: your schnookums rocks! Yes, most definitely. Rocking.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:52:57 -0800

~~Marmite~~ Promite is better.

By: ninazer0

ninazer0 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:58:09 -0800

Good grief, web-goddess! The SIZE of that thing! I can't decide if it's dangerous, obscene or what I want for Christmas. (All three, actually)

By: crossoverman

crossoverman — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:59:16 -0800

While we're on the subject of Vegemite, I'd like to plug my favourite way of eating it: on raisin toast with lots of butter. That sounds like too much goodness at once! I must try it as soon as I get home!

By: DU

DU — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:04:40 -0800

Huh, so that's what happened to Charlie Brown.

By: Sir Mildred Pierce

Sir Mildred Pierce — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:11:00 -0800

I suspect most anyone who talks about shit about Vegemite has either never had it, or has simply eaten in incorrectly.

By: gaspode

gaspode — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:25:09 -0800

My Mum sends me Tim Tams and vegemite every christmas. I can't wait.

By: bruzie

bruzie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:34:00 -0800

I was introduced to this as "Shotgunning a Tim Tam" - you couldn't pick a more appropriate name (except maybe the orgasm) BTW, proper British Marmite tops Vegemite, but it's too expensive down here in NZ Cricket and Rugby League, what will us Kiwis win next?

By: dabcad

dabcad — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:01:30 -0800

Marmite and Promite are vegemites sweetened bastard sons :) Calzone with cheese butter and vegemite = breakfast of champions. Also great in a crepe with butter and tomato.

By: illiad

illiad — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:04:32 -0800

I'm not sure if I'm just more aware of my favourite foods or what, but Tim Tams have been available in Canada for years and years, over a decade probably. Not to mention Vegemite and Marmite which has been available in .ca for at least 30 years. Also, Mint Slices are an incarnation of Satan in cookie form.

By: Megami

Megami — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:13:36 -0800

I have to ask - are Kingston buscuits an Australia only thing or widely available? They are better than Tim Tams, for sure (illiad, I never really liked Mint Slices but I have a boss who would kill you if you got between a plate of mint slices and myself. And kill you quickly so he got to the mint slices quickly.) Also - is it true that the only way to get Cherry Ripes outside of Australia is by mail order? Again, I don't eat them anymore, just curious ... In the UK we could buy vegemite at Asda.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:22:40 -0800

Cricket and Rugby League, what will us Kiwis win next? idunno, i guess maybe one day the All Blacks might win the Rugby World Cup again. how long has it been now - 21 years? and i hate to break it to you, but the men in brown lost the cricket the other day.

By: awfurby

awfurby — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:47:50 -0800

Tim Tam vs Penguin - results inconclusive.

By: mightygodking

mightygodking — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:52:58 -0800

Tim Tams have been available in Canada for years and years WHERE I DEMAND YOU TELL ME CONFESS OR THERE WILL BE BLOOD<>

By: web-goddess

web-goddess — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:24:51 -0800

Ubu and ninazer0: Luckily I documented the entire creation, so once he submits it to the Snack Pimping site you'll be able to reproduce your own. :)

By: MNDZ

MNDZ — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:31:15 -0800

hell yes. I lived in Adelaide for a year in 5th grade. I prefer to bite off opposite corners and use the cookie as milk-straw

By: yhbc

yhbc — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:32:30 -0800

I haven't seen any Tim Tams while I was restocking the shelves in my local Target (pronounced Tarr-zhay), but then again I wasn't looking for them. I will be there again on Tuesday and will report back.

By: illiad

illiad — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:45:09 -0800

Please don't eat me mightygodking, I will reveal all to you. Save-On Foods carries them, as does Safeway. Great Canadian Superstore carries several varieties of Tim Tam and occasionally Mint Slices. Now O Great Majesty King God may I please be dismissed and also it would be great if you'd grant me a dukedom in British Columbia, say Dukedom of the Westside. That would be awesome.

By: kookaburra

kookaburra — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:04:28 -0800

Oh the mighty Tim Tam. Such a revelation during my semester abroad in Queensland. After a 3 year dry spell, it was a happy day indeed when I discovered the E Street theater in DC carried them. Best movie snack EVAR.

By: rmless

rmless — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:48:45 -0800

Target better watch out tomorrow! I saw them for sale at Tuck Shop here in NY last year, but they were like $7 per package of 11 and I just couldn't quite do it. 11 That's ridiculous. It's not even funny.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:02:07 -0800

Tim Tams are OK, but the King of Biscuits is indisputably the Irish Chocolate Kimberley.

By: Pinback

Pinback — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:36:31 -0800

Y'do all realise that the Australian equivalent of the Oreo is not the Tim Tam, but the Delta Cream, right? And it's 'bikkie', not 'bickie' ;-) I never was a great fan of Tim Tams myself - too sickly sweet - but I changed my mind when they came out with the dark chocolate ones a few years ago. On the other hand, the caramel ones manage to be wore than the original. If only they'd invent a Cherry Ripe Tim Tam... Oh, and if you can't whip your Vegemite up into little peaks, it's not on thick enough. I refuse to argue otherwise with a race of people who think Nutella is 'tasty" ;-)

By: ninazer0

ninazer0 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:33:28 -0800

In terms of iconic status, the Tim Tam is certainly the equivalent of the Oreo - most treasured, most beloved. And "bickie" was chosen over "bikkie" because that was the term used in the manufacturing slide show. If you can't trust sterling journalism like that, what can you trust?? Philistines. ;)

By: Cantdosleepy

Cantdosleepy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:37:18 -0800

I'm afraid that 'British music > Australian music', 'British literature > Australian literature', 'British accents > Australian accents', 'British non-deadly bugs > Australian deadly bugs' holds true for 'British biscuits and snacks > Australian biscuits and snacks.' Apologies for bringing this to light. Don't worry though guys, you've still got 'British sports teams <> Any British person living or dead'. So that's a couple you've got there.

By: Cantdosleepy

Cantdosleepy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:38:56 -0800

That last bracketing didn't quite work. I was going for: 'British sports teams <> Any British person living or dead'.

By: Cantdosleepy

Cantdosleepy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:40:19 -0800

Argh! Metafilter refuses to recognise the supremecy of Dr Karl from Neighbours, or your superior sporting prowess.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:08:05 -0800

meh, you've still got Oasis.

By: Cantdosleepy

Cantdosleepy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:24:15 -0800

We do indeed. Have you seen Noel being pushed offstage? Warms the cockles, it does.

By: i_cola

i_cola — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:06:56 -0800

Not many people know this, but Vitam-R beats every other yeast extract into the ground. And you can eat it straight from the jar. SO far & away the best it's unreal...

By: Halloween Jack

Halloween Jack — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:19:35 -0800

I crave Tim Tams, and I've never had them.

By: Sys Rq

Sys Rq — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:19:34 -0800

Save-On Foods carries them, as does Safeway. All west of Winnipeg, in keeping with the distribution of Aussie expats. Coincidence? (The only way I get my Tim Tam fix down east is via familial birthday shipments.)

By: Sys Rq

Sys Rq — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:24:52 -0800

when we first arrived in the UK we were at a restaurant and I asked for Squash [...] and got served up what we would call Cordial. Try that anywhere in North America and you'll get what in Australia you call pumpkin. Enjoy!

By: saturnine

saturnine — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:26:12 -0800

The slightly crazed stare of a Tim Tam addict aka my friend Melissa, who also just became a US citizen. I think this was her reward for the hard work, because she's now buying out every pack she can find in the PA area. If you live there and want to try them, move fast. I am also happy about this - the less space for shitty Hershey's chocolate on the shelves of American stores, the better.

By: HotToddy

HotToddy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:28:15 -0800

I always thought bickie was spelled "biccy." Random googling reveals usage of both spellings. Is this a regional thing? "Biccy" seems more correct to me. After all, there is no k in biscuit.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:43:57 -0800

Have you seen Noel being pushed offstage? Warms the cockles, it does. that was about the best thing i've ever seen! (although i preferred the raw concert footage to having it introduced by some nauseating adolescent twat)

By: CitizenD

CitizenD — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:15:04 -0800

(the ones they're selling at target are actually pepperidge farm brand timtams) (so they may not only be available at target) (but it's pretty weird that so many people recognized not just that they're sold at target, but that they are a recent addition) (why am i parenthesizing, again?)

By: steerpike

steerpike — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:46:53 -0800

A word of warning concerning the oh-so-tempting double coated choc timtams - you actually get two whole biscuits less than a normal packet when you buy them. Sacrilegious! Also, for those wanting to see Natalie Imbrulgia give lessons in doing a doing timtam slam - there is this

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:27:43 -0800

why on earth would anybody want to watch that?!?? %$&$&*% work YouTube block

By: gemmy

gemmy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:41:01 -0800

Tim Tams from Target procured. They kept them kind of hidden on a top shelf, by the rest of the Pepperidge Farms cracker stuff, and there were only two packets left...

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:33:33 -0800

I'd rather have a Pepperidge Farm Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie than a Tim-Tam. If only they'd invent a Cherry Ripe Tim Tam... I wish they'd bring back the fine French Biscuit, Cherry Pims. They're like a Jaffa Cake, only the jelly bit is cherry rather than orange, and the chocolate bit is thick white chocolate rather than the thin dark stuff you get on a McVities.

By: Songdog

Songdog — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:38:08 -0800

Had to stop at Target this morning, so I bought a couple of packs and tried this. It is good. My colleague calls it "the least dignified snack, ever," but we're not at all sure that's a negative.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:35:14 -0800

Also, for those wanting to see Natalie Imbrulgia give lessons in doing a doing timtam slam gaah - she's got that awful half-british accent favoured by pretentious aussie expats! well, either that or she's been taking elocution lessons from Kylie Minogue.

By: Sys Rq

Sys Rq — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:28:19 -0800

(the ones they're selling at target are actually pepperidge farm brand timtams) Arnott's and Pepperidge Farm are both owned by the Campbell's Soup Company. The more you know...

By: oxford blue

oxford blue — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:10:47 -0800

Oh those crazy Australians, what will they do next!