Tim Tams

Tim Tams are a 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.

According to Arnott's, around 35 million packs are sold each year – nearly 400 million biscuits, an average of approximately 1.7 packs per Australian and 2.5 packs per New Caledonian.

History

Tim Tams were first put onto the market in 1964. 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. The new biscuit was based on the existing British Penguin biscuit.

In 2003 Arnott's sued Dick Smith Foods over their Temptin' brand of chocolate biscuits, which Arnott's alleged had diluted their trademark as a similar biscuit, in similarly-designed packaging. The case was settled out of court.

Tim Tams were introduced to the U.S.A. through Pepperidge Farm as a promotional item from November 2008 to March 2009. They were sold through Target stores only; varieties offered were Original (sold as Chocolate Crème) and Caramel. Pepperidge Farm re-released these two varieties with Classic Dark 19th October 2009. This time the Original and Caramel varieties are available in supermarkets other than Target. They will be available in the U.S.A. until March 2010 and at the same time every year.

Varieties

In recent years Arnott's have developed many different flavours of Tim Tams, some permanent and others temporary (see below). In September 2005, Arnott's launched Tim Tam Balls, a smaller spherical version of the biscuit.

In 2004, Arnott's 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.

Tim Tam "copycat" products are available from competitors, including "Temptins" from Dick Smith Foods, New Zealand's "Chit Chats" and Australian Woolworths Home Brand product "Triple Choc".

Currently Available

Australia

• Original
• Double Coat
• Chewy Caramel
• Dark Chocolate
• White (re-released September 2009)
• Sweet Surrender range: (since 19th January 2009)
  • Choc-Hazelnut
  • Black Forest Delight
  • Crème caramel
• Crush range:
  • Honeycomb
  • Mint Crisp
  • Cookies & Cream

Canada

Canada Safeway Limited sells Original and Caramel Tim Tams imported from Australia into western Canada.

USA

Pepperidge Farm, a sister company of Arnott's, brought the Tim Tam to the United States in the fall of 2008, with select distribution of caramel and chocolate crème flavors in Target stores nationwide. At that time, Pepperidge Farm launched an online community site that allowed users to track the cookies' journey from Australia to U.S. stores.

In the fall of 2009, Pepperidge Farm announced that Tim Tam cookies will be made available each year between October and March. The brand also premiered the Classic Dark flavour in the United States, in addition to extending distribution of Caramel and Chocolate Crème flavors to supermarkets and grocery stores across the country.

A 7-ounce package contains 11 biscuits.

Formerly Available

• Creamy Truffle Temptation
• Choco Strawberry
• Pink Wish (released in September 2006 and 2007 with a portion of sales to benefit a breast cancer charity )
• Chili Chocolate
• Chocolate Orange
• Tia Maria
• Kahlúa
• Latte

Tim Tam Slam

Main article: Tim Tam Slam

The "Tim Tam Slam" is the practice of biting off the opposing corners of a Tim Tam, and using the biscuit as a straw to suck up a beverage.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Pulley, Roz (2005-09-24). "Welcome to Cairns... Tim Tam capital of OZ" (in English). The Cairns Post (News Corporation): p. 3.  
2. ^ "Arnott's Product Range - Tim Tam" (in English). Arnott's Biscuits Limited. 2005 . http://www.arnotts.com.au/products/TimTam.aspx . Retrieved 2006-10-20 .  
3. ^ Went, Sheree: Smith and fans tempt Tim Tams, The Age , 7 May 2003.
4. ^ "The Tim Tam Test: USA vs. Australia", Meniscus Magazine, 21 October 2008
5. ^ http://www.ilovetimtamcookies.com/track.html
6. ^ Alcohol-flavoured treats attacked, The Age , 4 February 2004.
7. ^ Needham, Kirsty: Branding rivals will never take the biscuit, says Mr Tim Tam, The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 April 2003.
8. ^ "Arnott’s Tim Tam’s bring back Pink Wish range for National Breast Cancer Foundation > FOODweek Online > Main Features Page". Foodweek.com.au . http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-features-page.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=717 . Retrieved 2009-11-02 .  

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