What Australian chocolate biscuit was introduced by Arnott's in 1964? Tim Tam is the Australian chocolate biscuit introduced by Arnott’s in 1964.
A standard Tim Tam consists of two malted biscuits separated by a light chocolate cream filling and covered in a thin chocolate coating. The biscuit was created by Arnott’s food technologist Ian Norris after he encountered Britain’s Penguin biscuit while travelling and set out to make an improved version.
Tim Tam went on sale on 10 September 1964. The name came from Ross Arnott, who had attended the 1958 Kentucky Derby and chose the name of the winning horse for the planned biscuit line. This origin explains why the name sounds more like a proper name than a description of the product.
The famous “Tim Tam Slam” involves biting opposite corners, dipping one end into a hot drink and using the biscuit like a straw. It is a serving ritual, not part of the biscuit’s basic recipe. Wagon Wheel, Choc Ripple and Mint Slice are different products, so they are not alternate names for Tim Tam.