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Tim Tam Jatz: How an April Fool's joke became a real product line

<p>Snack enthusiasts have been left both bewildered and ecstatic as Arnott’s has announced the release of the long-awaited Tim Tam Jatz – a fusion biscuit that promises to revolutionise the sweet and salty game. What started as a mere April Fool’s prank has now escalated into a reality stranger than fiction.</p> <p>For years, brands like Arnott’s and Macca’s have toyed with our taste buds, teasing us with tantalising new product announcements on April 1st, only to dash our hopes with the cold reality of jest. But Arnott’s, oh Arnott’s, they decided to take it one step further.</p> <p>Last year, amid the chaos of April Fool’s 2023, they dropped the bombshell: Tim Tam Jatz was on its way. The internet erupted in a cacophony of disbelief and desire. Comments flooded in, ranging from desperate pleas to joyous declarations of snack nirvana.</p> <p>Fast forward to the present, and Arnott’s has delivered the unthinkable. The Tim Tam Jatz is no longer a figment of our collective imagination but a tangible delight that will soon grace the shelves of Coles, bringing joy to snack enthusiasts everywhere. Combining the decadent chocolatey goodness of a Tim Tam with the unmistakable crunch of a salty Jatz cracker, this biscuit is poised to redefine the very essence of snack time.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Arnott's Biscuits (@arnottsbiscuits)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Rebecca Chan, the mastermind behind this stroke of genius and Tim Tam’s marketing manager, expressed her delight at bringing this unconventional creation to life. “We love getting behind an April Fool’s prank, and dreaming up new ways to tap into Australia’s love of Tim Tam,” she wrote.</p> <p>“But following the overwhelming number of comments and requests, we knew we had to bring Tim Tam inspired by Jatz to the shelf and make it available for every Aussie to enjoy.</p> <p>"We can’t wait to share the latest Tim Tam creation, where consumers can expect something a little bit sweet, and a little bit salty in every bite.”</p> <p>The announcement sent shockwaves across social media, with food bloggers and snack enthusiasts alike losing their collective minds over the prospect of this culinary marvel. </p> <p>As word spread like wildfire, social media erupted in a frenzy of anticipation. “My sister is obsessed with Tim Tams and Jatz, so she will love this,” proclaimed one user, already envisioning the delight on their sibling’s face. “OMG I need it immediately,” cried another, echoing the sentiments of snack lovers everywhere.</p> <p>But amidst the jubilation, there were voices of caution. “Ooh, I will be trying, but I seem to only ever buy a new Tim Tam once and then run straight back to my beloved double coat,” confessed a hesitant fan, torn between loyalty and curiosity.</p> <p>Only time will tell if Tim Tam Jatz will live up to the hype, but one thing is for certain: Arnott’s has unleashed a culinary juggernaut that is sure to leave a lasting impression on snack history. So brace yourselves; the sweet and salty revolution is upon us, and there’s no turning back.</p> <p><em>Image: Arnott's</em></p>

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"You're all wrong": Expat slams Aussie snacks

<p>A Canadian expat has given a controversial opinion on several popular Aussie snacks.</p> <p>Her opinion, which no one asked for, claimed that some of Australia’s most cherished snacks were simply not worth the hype.</p> <p>Iona claimed that since she’s lived in the country for nearly seven years, she was entitled to a candid opinion, free of nostalgic basis.</p> <p>The expat clearly knew her video would cause a stir as she pleaded for people “not to get mad”.</p> <p>She began her TikTok, "These are Aussie snacks I would not touch with a 10-foot pole,”</p> <p>The first snack she blasted was the infamous Smith’s Burger Rings, a BBQ flavoured corn-based chip that is no doubt an Aussie staple.</p> <p>"Burger rings are a crime to tastebuds everywhere," she said. "They don't even taste like burgers, they taste like sadness.”</p> <p>From there she was quick to attack the next product, Arnott’s beloved TeeVee snacks.</p> <p>"I would rather go to Bunnings and suck on sandpaper than eat these again," she said, pointing to a TeeVee snack box. "You're all wrong.”</p> <p>The beloved Arnott’s Chicken Crimpy shapes also came under the line of fire, with Iona sharing they “taste like nothing”.</p> <p>Even Cadbury made the list with their strawberry flavoured Freddos and the Caramilk bar, both labelled a solid “no” for the Canadian. “Jail. Immediate jail!” she remarked.</p> <p>Aussies were quick to shut her down, sharing their opinions in the comment section.</p> <p>"You don't have Aussie tastebuds. They all rock,” one wrote.</p> <p>“Nah, you've too far gone!” another responded, with the official TikTok account for Shapes replying, ”Agreed."</p> <p>Another TikToker remarked, “I really tried to be tolerant and accepting but I punched a hole in my wall when burger rings came up, and things only got worse from there.”</p> <p>Some jumped to Iona’s defence, with one “Australian” commenting, "I'm Australian and I agree with everything,” but the majority of comments declared she had no business slandering Aussie icons.</p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

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"Bring them back!": Arnott's axes beloved bikkies

<p>Fury has broken out among Arnott’s fans as the famed Aussie biscuit brand has announced the discontinuation of one of its most popular products without warning.</p> <p>That's right - Honey Jumbles are no longer on sale. It's no secret the people are furious as angry shoppers flooded Arnott’s on social media with complaints after their beloved biscuit got the chop.</p> <p>However, the decision to cut the iconic soft-baked gingerbread fingers which are topped with pink or white icing, happened back in July 2021 and only now are people pleading with Arnott’s to “bring them back!”, branding the decision “horrible”.</p> <p>“Arnott’s honey jumbles got discontinued and I’m just finding out. This is horrible news,” one devastated fan wrote on Twitter.</p> <p>“So, Arnott’s, we’re just going to cancel Honey Jumbles without any warning huh?” another wrote alongside a crying face emoji.</p> <p>“Not fair! There’s only so many Venetia’s you can eat when you can’t get Honey Jumbles,” a third said.</p> <p>Amy Wagner, the Arnott's director of PR and consumer experience, has said the decision to axe the biscuit came from poor sales.</p> <p>“We stopped baking our Honey Jumbles in July 2021. At this stage, there are no plans to bring the product back to shelf."</p> <p>However, she softened the blow by revealing Arnott’s had released an adapted Honey Jumbles recipe for the “very passionate fans” so they can recreate the “iconic” biscuit at home.</p> <p><em>Image: Arnott's</em></p>

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Arnott's slams wild claim about Scotch Finger recipe

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>A frustrated grandfather slammed Arnotts and accused them of tampering with the ingredients of the beloved Scotch Singer biscuit after he realised that the snack didn't snap into two separate pieces as easily as it used to.</p> <p>He said that the brand of "breaking" the biscuit by changing the recipe without letting customers know.</p> <p>“We have not made any recent changes to the current formulation of this famous bickie,” an Arnott’s spokesperson confirmed to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/arnotts-shuts-down-wild-claim-about-scotch-finger-recipe/news-story/da895f4bb5f48a80852be7cad1510758" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p>The grandfather was outraged on Reddit.</p> <p>“Today I attempted to break the iconic Scotch Finger biscuit into two fingers to show my two-year-old granddaughter how to eat these biscuits, that I myself ate at her age, in a right of passage for all Australian kids,” he began the post.</p> <p>“We Australians know innately that when offered a packet of Arnott’s Assorted biscuits you chose the Scotch Finger because the moment you get it, ‘snap’ down the vertical, and you have two perfectly formed biscuits. Two for one.</p> <p>“Well, horror (ensued) as I attempted to snap the Scotchie!” he continued, adding that after he snapped it, it formed two “ill formed stubs”.</p> <p>Shocked by what he had happened, he quickly covered his granddaughter’s eyes.</p> <p>“But she did glimpse the carnage and I’m not sure (if) permanent psychological damage has been done.”</p> <p>“Protest, write to your local supermarket, canvass your local member, inundate Arnott’s Facebook page with your views, phone<span> </span><em>A Current Affair</em>, tweet Kochie — do whatever it takes.</p> <p>“I’m old, and I can live with it, but I’m doing it for the kids. If we remain silent it is they who will suffer.”</p> <p>However, Arnotts confirmed that the recipe had not changed.</p> <p>“We bake our biscuits right here in Australia using local wheat, so occasionally if weather conditions have altered the harvest, there can be slight biscuit variations from batch to batch, but the Scotch Finger recipe Aussie know and love remains!” the Arnott’s spokesperson said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Arnotts reveals surprising truth about popular biscuit

<div id="slide-panel-container"> <div class="slide-panel open"> <div class="slide-panel-content"> <div class="pulse_container "> <div class="pulse_content_wrapper"> <div id="pulse-content" class="pulse_content"> <div class="tab is-active"> <div class="space_view middle_style"> <div id="wall" class="wall new_pulse"> <div class="posts_list"> <div class="post_box already_read public" data-id="836801602"> <div class="post "> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Arnott's has just revealed a little known fact about one of its most-loved biscuits.</p> <p>Ginger Nut biscuits are different depending on which Australian state you eat them in, with social media users labelling it the "2020 conspiracy".</p> <p>The renowned biscuit company was happy to confirm the news.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838792/arnotts-body.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3f309488ef5a4b9784c0789338edeab6" /></p> <p>“The Ginger Nut started long ago, back in the 1960s, when we used to have different bakeries in different states each making a Ginger Nut biscuit that their locals loved,” an Arnott’s spokesperson told news.com.au</p> <p>“When Arnott’s became a national company we looked at the possibility of selling one Ginger Nut nationally.</p> <p>“However, Aussies in each state made it clear they loved their homegrown variety, and there’s just no substitute for their Ginger Nut, the version they had grown up and loved.”</p> <p>This means that there are four different recipes in use across different states and territories, with the taste, texture and colour being completely different from the other.</p> <p>WA, SA and NT share the same "sweet recipe", whereas those living in Victoria and Tasmania enjoy an even sweeter flavour which is closest to traditional Giner Nuts overseas.</p> <p>NSW and ACT share the "thick and hard" recipe, while QLD loves the "thin, sweet and dark" recipe.</p> <p>Social media users were either surprised or proud it confirmed what they already knew.</p> <p>“I’ve been living a lie all my life. Why do this to me Arnotts???” a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/fvblnu/i_dont_mean_to_alarm_you_but_i_just_discovered/" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">Reddit</a> user said.</p> <p>“I actually got relatives and friends of friends to mail all the different varieties to me, then sat down and did a taste test. Can confirm they’re all very different,” another added, while a third labelled it a “true 2020 conspiracy”.</p> <p>But another responded saying, “I can verify. I have collected Gingernuts from Vic, NSW, ACT and the NT and they are definitely different. NSW/ACT ones are by far the best. Super hard, less sweet and perfect for dipping in tea without falling apart.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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Arnott’s makes Tim Tam using “beautiful” Australian strawberries supermarkets rejected

<p>A new Tim Tam biscuit is boosting a Queensland couple’s bid to save tens of thousands of tonnes of Australian fruit rejected by supermarkets at the peak of growing seasons.</p> <p>Stuart and Allison McGruddy have launched an initiative that fights against the war on waste by freezing fruit. But after further research, they were disheartened to know that many major companies use imported, rather than local Aussie ingredients.</p> <p>But that’s slowly changing, as biscuit maker Arnott’s has used 20 tonnes of the fruit the couple saved in their new limited-edition Sunshine Coast Strawberries and Cream Tim Tam.</p> <p>Mr McGruddy who is a chef, and wife Allison left London eight years ago to work on his family’s farm, and were taken aback at the amount of perfectly ripe Australian fruit being rejected because it didn’t live up to supermarket standards.</p> <p>According to FoodWise, approximately 20 to 40 per cent of fruit and vegetables are rejected before it even reaches supermarket shelves due to not meeting aesthetic requirements.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Featmyberries%2Fposts%2F2877213695663865&amp;width=500" width="500" height="390" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>“I’ve been to farms in the local area with strawberries that dump multiple tonnes a day, and I take photos of it, and it just blows me away,” said Mr McGruddy.</p> <p>“Like after the needle incident a couple of years ago, people got to see just how much strawberry waste happens in the industry, and it is the same with bananas and mangoes.”</p> <p>Ms McGruddy added: “We were seeing lots of beautiful raspberries that might be rejected by supermarkets at the time, and Stuart’s dad said, ‘What can you do with these beautiful berries, Stuart – c’mon, you can do something with them’.</p> <p>“Not long after that we had the 2015 outbreak of hepatitis A that was caused by contaminated berries produced in China, and we thought we need to do something about this, let’s get an Australian offering, so that’s basically the premise behind our business.”</p> <p>They founded My Berries, and freeze and bag a growing range of Australian-farmed fruit in a small factory near Bribie Island.</p>

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Arnott’s Tim Tam VS ALDI's "knock-off": Who is the surprising winner?

<p>Undoubtedly one of Australia's favourite biscuits, the iconic Tim Tam has been put to the test by consumer advocacy group <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-drink/sweets/chocolate/articles/tim-tams-v-aldi-just-divine-taste-test" target="_blank">CHOICE</a>.</p> <p>Arnott’s classic packet of $3.65 Tim Tams has been pitted against ALDI's “knock-off” version that costs less than half the price at $1.59.</p> <p>CHOICE ran a blind taste test with a group of consumers to see which chocolate biscuit came out on top.</p> <p>Surprisingly, 39 per cent of experts thought that ALDI's Belmont Just Divine product tasted better than Arnott's Aussie classic. </p> <p>However, a majority of the 75 people who participated in the experiment said that they could taste the difference between the two.</p> <p>Meanwhile, some admitted that they couldn’t tell which one was which.</p> <p>61 per cent of the taste testers voted that Tim Tams were their favourite, whereas 27 per cent were confused and said that ALDI's biscuits were Tim Tams.</p> <p>6 per cent couldn’t figure out the difference at all.</p> <p>“It's a lot closer than I'd thought. They're almost identical,” said one of the testers.</p> <p>CHOICE found that Tim Tams have 8.2g of sugar whereas Just Divine has 7.4g of sugar. ALDI's Just Divine brand were more popular amongst those who were less inclined to sugary treats.</p> <p>“Number 2 is definitely the real Tim Tam but I like number 1 better. Number 2 is too sweet; number 1 struck a good balance,” explained one of the testers.</p> <p>In a surprise that comes to no one, the taste testers were thrilled about being involved with the testing.</p> <p>“In the interests of rigour I demand we conduct several repeatable trials over the course of the next couple of years so we can be confident of the results. Science demands it,” joked one of the taste testers.</p>

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Arnott’s slammed for "size-shaming" biscuit ad

<p>Arnott’s has been slammed by customers after a body-shaming ad from 14 years ago resurfaced online.</p> <p>The contentious ad features two pairs of underwear and a pack of Snack Right Fruit Slice biscuits.</p> <p>The larger pair is labelled “snack wrong”, while the smaller pair is labelled “snack right”. At the bottom of the page, an image of the biscuit packet is featured with the tagline “the healthier biscuit”.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnopesisters%2Fphotos%2Fa.584970321700687%2F1073435262854188%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="745" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Social media users criticised the ad for encouraging body image issues.</p> <p>“This size shaming marketing for Arnott’s Biscuits Limited in a mag is ABSOLUTELY WRONG! How dare they try to sell high sugar biscuits in this disgraceful way,” a Facebook page posted along with a picture of the ad. “When will they get it? That #ANYSIZE is right for you, as long as you are healthy and happy.”</p> <p>“Just dreadful. I hope their marketing team listens. Really listens and gets why this is so wrong,” one person commented.</p> <p>“This is something they should be ashamed of,” another added.</p> <p>After the ad circulated around social media sites on Monday, an Arnott’s spokesperson confirmed that the campaign is not current. </p> <p>“This advertising campaign … was in poor taste, and does not reflect Arnott's brand values,” the spokesperson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/113904932/arnotts-comes-under-fire-for-body-shaming-biscuit-advertisement-published-in-2006?fbclid=IwAR0t3oMgu7ujztXRpOzLazifyAOeshbDWt6ZTfauAqMSRNrJPvaKTbCXQVE" target="_blank">stuff.co.nz</a> in a statement.</p> <p>“While this advertisement was printed in 2005, it should not have run in the first place and we apologise for any offence caused.</p> <p>“Arnott’s is committed to conducting business in a manner that is respectful and inclusive of everyone.”</p>

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The photo of Arnott’s Shapes biscuits that will blow your mind

<p><span>Arnott’s Shapes biscuits are the favoured snack of true Australians everywhere.</span></p> <p><span>They are the lunchbox envy of schoolkids and the perfect snack for gatherings or parties.</span></p> <p><span>Whether you are a pizza, barbeque or chicken crimpy fan, one Facebook post has drawn attention to one packaging detail that we all missed.</span></p> <p><span>Comedian Christian Hull shared an image of a stack of Arnotts Shapes boxes in his local Woolies and wrote, “MIND BLOWN. The white part of the Shapes box is the actual shape of the biscuit inside!”</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fchristianhull%2Fphotos%2Fa.560820817408260.1073741829.529469397210069%2F980283162128688%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="614" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>One hour after posting the image, Christian’s post had over 6000 likes and nearly 1000 shares – everyone sharing the same disbelief that they missed such an obvious detail.</span></p> <p><span>“I will never look at a Shapes box the same ever again,” wrote one user.</span></p> <p><span>“OMG in all my 20+ years of eating these gems I’ve NEVER noticed,” said another.</span></p> <p><span>Understandably, the shock of missing such an obvious detail on the packaging has left fans curious as to what else they have missed in life.</span></p> <p><span>“Why have I not seen this before what else have my eyes been hiding from me?”</span></p> <p><span>What is your favourite Shapes flavour? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

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