Written by: Harnoor Chahal
Edited by: Nicole Majewski
Designed by: Suhana Shaik
Published by: Andrew Jackson
Have you ever been curious about what snacks exist in different places? Let’s take a look at snacks that you could find if different countries around the world!
Australia – Arnott’s Tim Tams
One of Australia’s most famous snacks is the Tim Tam. These creamy, chocolate-covered biscuits are made by Arnott’s, a popular Australian company known for creating many beloved snacks. Tim Tams have been enjoyed by locals since the 1960s. Australians have a fun way of eating them called the “Tim Tam Slam.” First, prepare a hot drink (Milo is the favourite choice). Then, bite off opposite corners of the biscuit, use it like a straw to sip the drink, and quickly pop the whole Tim Tam into your mouth before it melts. Stores like NTUC and Cold Storage carry the classic flavour, but you can find many other tasty varieties online.
China (Hong Kong) – Haw Flakes
Haw Flakes are small, thin, pink discs made from hawthorn fruit, water, and sugar. They are slightly sweet and tangy, often compared to a mix between fruit roll-ups and Necco wafers. Haw Flakes are usually sold in stacks of 15 pieces. Besides being a snack, hawthorn is also recognized for its use in Chinese medicine as a digestive aid. For many people who grew up in Hong Kong, Haw Flakes are a simple but nostalgic treat.
Japan – Japanese Kit Kats
When it comes to chocolate, Kit Kat is a favourite worldwide, but in Japan, it’s on a whole new level. In Japanese, “Kit Kat” sounds similar to Kitto Katsu, which means “best of luck.” As a result, parents often give Kit Kats to their children before exams to wish them success. Nestlé embraced this idea and launched many unique flavours in Japan, making Kit Kat extremely popular. Today, you can find over 200 different flavors in Japan, including Sakura (cherry blossom), Japanese sake, yuzu matcha, hojicha (roasted green tea), and even Tokyo banana.
Canada – Ketchup Chips
One of Canada’s favourite snacks is ketchup-flavoured chips. Although ketchup is a well-known American condiment, Canadians turned it into a beloved chip flavour. It is believed that ketchup chips may have originally been created in America. But Canadians quickly fell in love with them. Ketchup chips are a bit like pineapple on pizza — some people love them, and some don’t. Still, they remain one of Canada’s most iconic and widely loved snacks.
India – Pani Puri (Golgappa)
Pani puri, also called golgappa, is a small snack that originated in India and later spread to neighbouring countries like Pakistan. It consists of small, hollow, crispy shells made from wheat or semolina, filled with spiced mashed potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, and a coriander dressing. A key part of pani puri is the two types of flavoured waters. One is green and made from mint and green chillies, which is spicy. The other is red and made from tamarind pulp and chaat masala, giving it a sweet and tangy taste. Sometimes, tiny fried drops of chickpea flour batter, called boondi, are also added to the water for extra texture. Pani puri offers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavours, making it one of India’s most popular street foods.
Sources:
- https://www.bonappetit.com/story/haw-flakes?srsltid=AfmBOor4L-5pX4i7jq1eJurYLnP7nPyby7j_qfc04H1lMse0f4PsnWvC
- https://tastecooking.com/the-enduring-appeal-of-haw-flakes/#:~:text=The%20ingredients%20are%20simply%20dried%20hawthorn%20berries%2C%20water%2C%20and%20sugar.
- https://thetravelintern.com/popular-snacks-from-around-the-world/
- https://www.foodbloggersofcanada.com/canadas-love-for-ketchup-chips/
- https://queenoftreasures.com/2023/09/02/sweet-spicy-tangy-exploring-panipuri-variations-in-india/#:~:text=This%20little%20savoury%20originated%20in,predecessor%20of%20Panipuri%2FGol%20Gappa.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panipuri#:~:text=Pani%20puri%20has%20evolved%20significantly,is%20technically%20a%20diluted%20chutney.
- https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianFood/comments/sjkokh/how_do_you_make_the_pani_puri_liquid_which_is_not/?rdt=57886#:~:text=The%20green%20liquid%20is%20the,proportion%20to%20the%20customer’s%20preference.
- https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/party-pani-puri/#:~:text=Pani%20puri%20is%20a%20popular,chutney%20and%20a%20coriander%20dressing.