Crunchy or chewy? Whichever team you’re on, one thing’s for sure - the humble Anzac Biscuit is synonymous with national pride and our day of remembrance. Read about the origins of this icon here, over a cuppa and an Anzac biscuit or two…
Confusion often lies between the Anzac Biscuit, the sweet biscuit we now know and associate with the spirit and sacrifice of the ANZACs and the less-palatable hardtack biscuits found in soldiers’ and sailors’ rations decades beforehand, as far back as 1823. With few supplies, and a demand for compact, long-shelf live food products that didn't spoil in the long journeys to camps, rolled oat biscuits were a popular wholesome, nutritional substitute for bread during wartimes. But the almost rock hard consistency of these hardtack biscuits meant soldiers had to get creative in order to enjoy them. Many preferred to grind up their biscuits and mix them with water for porridge, whilst others heated the biscuits over fire and added jam to make sweet tarts. These biscuits also served a heartfelt purpose, often used by soldiers as canvases to write messages or paint images to send to their family.
With eggs, and indeed farmers in short supply during World War I, the recipe called for simple ingredients and an even simpler method, using golden syrup, rather than egg, to bind together the ingredients. Back home in Australia and New Zealand, they were baked and sold at fetes and public events to raise funds for the war effort. Mothers and wives who were also concerned about the nutritional quality of the food in their loved ones ration packs attempted to send over rolled oat biscuits. It was only after the tragic 1915 landing at Gallipoli that they assumed the name ANZAC Biscuits, after the Australian and New Zealand troops who died in that conflict.
Australian’s proudly commemorate Anzac Day each year with the baking of rolled oat biscuits. Deeks Health Foods supports the efforts of charity organisation, Soldier On Australia through an annual Anzac Day Biscuit Community Fundraiser. You can get behind this incredible cause by purchasing a box of Deeks Biscuits, or donating to the Soldier On boxes at the Pearce Cafe & Bakery.