Tim Tams: Chewy Caramel, Original and Dark Varieties
I’m sure Arnott’s sales have gone through the roof since the start of Tourism Queensland’s campaign for the Best Job in the World! There have been so many blog posts about these little chocolate biscuits that I, like many others before me, succumbed to my curiousity and went to London Drugs yesterday to buy some.
I also tried to find Vegemite, but it’s nowhere near as popular as Tim Tams right know. I couldn’t find Vegemite at London Drugs, Safeway or Save-On. I’ll try Superstore next. If you know of a place in Vancouver that sells them, let me know eh? Thanks!
When I found the Tim Tams at London Drugs, I was first pleasantly surprised that they were on sale (two for $5). Then when I picked up a second package (oh these sale promo tactics do work on me!), I found that they were different. There are three different flavours of Tim Tams available in Vancouver: Original, Dark, and Chewy Caramel. According to the official Arnott’s website, there are eight varieties in total: Original, Chewy Caramel, Double Coat, Dark, Love Potions Double Chocolate and Raspberry, Love Potions Chocolate Mud, Love Potions Sticky Vanilla Toffee, Latte. I’m curious to try the Latte and the Love Potions Chocolate Mud. Why do they call it “Love Potions” anyway?
I bought all three available varieties and set out on my taste test to see what’s so fabulous about these biscuits. Here’s my review:
The First Bite
The first bite of each variety was pretty good, but I did find the Chewy Caramel a little harder and less enjoyable to chew. I was expecting more a more gooey texture like the picture on the package, but it was a harder caramel paste.
I was surprised to find that that the Original was yummier than the Dark variety. I usually like dark chocolate more than milk chocolate but I suspect it’s because North American milk chocolate is a lot more sugary than other milk chocolate varieties. I was also surprised to find that Tim Tams have a slight hint of saltiness to them.
For the ‘first bite’ challenge, the Original variety won hands down.
The Tim Tam Slam
What is the Tim Tam Slam?
It’s when you bite off a piece of the Tim Tam from both ends and use it as a straw to suck up coffee or hot cocoa.
Why is it called a Tim Tam Slam instead of a Tim Tam Straw?
I don’t know. I guess “straw” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
The Tim Tam Slam: bite off a corner from each end of the Tim Tam and use the biscuit as a straw to suck up your coffee / hot cocoa
I first heard about the Tim Tam Slam on Shawn’s website in mid-February. I’ve wanted to try it ever since! My first slam was followed by a dunk. 
As soon as the coffee reached my mouth, the whole biscuit disintegrated and fell into my mug in a big slooshy mess! Very disappointing. I fished what was left of the biscuit out of the coffee and ate it like hot cereal which was actually really yummy, but my coffee was ruined. Arnott’s should think about making a Tim Tam hot cereal mix!
After a couple of attempts, I figured out that the Tim Tam Slam works better if you bite off the whole end of each side of the biscuit, rather than just a corner. That way, you can suck up the coffee faster. Another tip: hold the biscuit with three fingers on each hand rather than just the index finger and thumb so you can catch it in time if it starts to feel soggy.
I wasn’t sure the Tim Tam Slam would work with the Chewy Caramel variety, but it did. It’s true what Aussies say about Tim Tams, you HAVE to do a Tim Tam Slam. Sure, Tim Tams taste good on their own. But they taste even better when soaked in coffee! YUM! The Original and Dark varieties beat the Chewy Caramel in this category as well. The coffee sucks up faster with an Original or Dark Tim Tam.
It’s hard to say which biscuit, the Original or Dark Tim Tam, was better for a Tim Tam Slam. I think it depends on your coffee. With a lighter coffee like the kind you’d get at McDonald’s or Tim Horton’s, I’d suggest the Original because a Dark might seem too bitter compared to the coffee. If you were to do a Tim Tam Slam with a stronger Starbucks type coffee though, I’d recommend a Tim Tam Dark. The slight bitterness of the coffee is offset by the stronger Dark chocolate and hint of salt which is then overpowered by the sweet chocolate biscuit center when you put the soggy Tim Tam in your mouth to melt into a mushy mess. Mmm…
Final Results
Tim Tam Chewy Caramel: 3 / 5 Biscuit Rating
Tim Tam Original: 4.5 / 5 Biscuit Rating
Tim Tam Dark: 4 / 5 Biscuit Rating
LOL what a creative post
Vegemite is hard to find though. I was told that everyone and their brother would try to trick me into trying it in NZ but no such luck ): The only vegemite we found was in a huge container – way too much for us.
For something that’s so popular in Australia, you’d think it’d be easier to find!
I love the rating!!!! Nice idea!!
And I thank you for your detailed and very interesting explanations about those famous ‘Tim Tams’ (that I had never heard of before the best job in the world and that everybody seems to be talking about now !!)
You made me want to try too!! XD
Arnott’s should hire me
Tim Tams are AWESOME, I don’t eat them nearly enough as I should! =^_^= I’ve never tried the caramel before (not hugely fussed on caramel), but I’ve tried most of the others. You mentioned that there were only 8 varieties of Tim Tams– well, in Australia, I’ve seen a whole lot more than 8. Love potions was a ‘limited edition’ Tim Tam, but was popular enough to stay on full-time.
Arnotts regularly release different limited edition Tim Tams, some of which are really great!
I don’t know why Arnotts called them “Love Potion”, but I think it’s because you’ll fall absolutely in love with those biscuits. I tried a pack when they were limited edition, and they are SINFUL. If you ever see them, buy a pack IMMEDIATELY! I particularly liked the Double Choc & Raspberry, it has real kick in that biscuit!
Most foreigners don’t like Vegemite, for good reason! If you don’t eat it exactly right, it’s horrible! Unfortunately, most foreigners just can’t get quantity and application right.
If you do buy some Vegemite (do NOT buy an immitation brand– they DON’T taste the same), just buy a teeny tiny jar of it, to trial the product.
Spread a very thin layer of butter onto your toast, then spread a thin layer of room temperature Vegemite on top. Put a layer of cheddar cheese on top and grill until the cheese is melted. Cut the Vegemite in half across the diagonal (two large triangles makes the Vegemite taste better Lol). Your first bite should be biting off one of the crunchy grilled cut corners of the triangle. YUM.
Once you get a taste for Vegimite, you can be more adventurous with it (ie. eat it without the cheese or butter, spread more Vegimite on your toast, eat it on crackers, carrot, etc). It is an acquired taste I think, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to snack on it all the time!
Best wishes to your future “Aussie cuisine” taste testing Anny! I’m glad you tried the Tim Tam Slam (I just call it “dunking a Tim Tam” Lol). Keep practicing, then you can make out like it’s real easy to do in front of your friends.
ROFL just realised I spelled Vegemite wrong twice. >_< Don’t mind me, I’m a Vegemite lovin’ Aussie I swear, just tired.
LOL I love how there’s an exact way to eat Vegemite! I’m glad I didn’t buy Marmite now. It was the only close alternative available but it wasn’t made in Australia so I didn’t think it’d be worth trying for this. I’ll keep looking for Vegemite!
You can usually get more flavours at the candy store on Robson.
Which Candy store? The one with all the retro posters? What’s it called again? I can’t remember. I haven’t been to that one in close to five years!
I don’t remember what it’s called. The Candy Aisle maybe? It only opened a year or two ago. I think it’s on Robson between Granville and Seymour.
Forget every flavour except double coat… that’s where it’s at… seriously double coat!
They didn’t have double coat at London Drugs… I’m gonna have to try the candy store Shanu suggested!
Anny: My partner brought your name to my attention when he was applying to BJINW. We have since been ‘followin’ ya, sounds kind of cryptic. Har. Anyways, I have tuned in now and again to vote for you. You have such positive, fun energy, write ‘engagingly’ and would be GREAT for the job. I also really loved the way all the Vancouverites got together…great spirit of cooperation.
Come over to Victoria and we can show you where to get Vegemite — at Oxford Foods in Fairfield. (My partner is a Kiwi; I have to know these things, har, har).
Hey one question, I thought there were 50 people on the short list. I noticed the Russian woman was gone. Just curious, do you know who else left the top 50?
All the best to you; we’re thinkin’ ’bout ‘cha!
K&K
To Anny, vegemite update:
“There is a little Australian shop on West 4th and Burrard Street on the Southwest corner of the street…about 3 or 4 shops west. It is next to a store that sells Hemp products. I can’t recall the name but I know they sell vegemite, not marmite. Across the street is a Domino’s Pizza and a sofa shop. You can’t miss it!” with credit to Louie J on Yahoo Answers
Let us know how you make out with all those Vegemite recipes:)
k&k
Thanks for voting Karen!
I checked out the Australian shop on 4th Ave. Unfortunately, they closed down last year (no business) and they don’t carry Vegemite through their online store. But, the lady recommended a couple of other places so I’ll check those out. Thanks for the tip!
And yes, two people are no longer on the Top 50 list: Julia Yalovitsyna from Russia and Achim Dold from Germany
Julia was removed from the Top 50 by Tourism Queensland, but Achim decided to remove himself (reasons unknown).
Yeah it’s all about double coat! I have lets say an affinity to tim tams. Tried them all, several times over to make sure.. and.…. DOUBLE COAT.