Pavlova, the velvety, creamy dessert made from crispy meringue shells topped with whipped cream and fruit, is the quintessential Aussie. Despite originating from New Zealand, Pavlovas are synonymous with Australia's holiday feast, as much as shrimp on the barbecue.
Most Aussies choose to swap the traditional roast turkey for a Christmas ham, and fresh seafood (specifically prawns) takes pride of place on many festive banquets. It makes sense that Australians opt for a light and refreshing dessert option to end their Christmas feast.
What is the national dessert of Australia? Pavlova, is the national dessert of Australia.
What is the most popular dessert in Australia? Out of a long list of all traditional Australian desserts, the Lamington is the most popular. The iconic Australian dessert, the Lamington, has been around since the turn of the 20th century, and is found in bakeries and kitchens across the country.
Traditionally, Australians cooked English-style puddings at Christmas but, although we love them, a lighter pudding is more suited to a hot climate; hence the Great Australian Christmas Pudding was created light, creamy and cool.
While turkey is a much loved Christmas classic, roast chicken, lamb and beef are all part of Australian Christmas traditions. And for an absolute show-stopper, you can't go past a glazed ham, studded with cloves and doused in honey for the ultimate Christmas treat.
Some Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and some people will also go out Christmas carol singing on Christmas Eve. People also decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas Trees and Christmas lights. Neighbors sometimes have little competitions to see who has got the best light display.
pavlova, meringue-based dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin that is commonly topped with whipped cream and fruit and served at holidays. New Zealanders and Australians compete for ownership of pavlova, which in both countries is an iconic national delicacy.
On the Australia side, chef Herbert “Bert” Sachse is said to have created the pavlova at Perth's Esplanade Hotel in 1935, and it was named by the house manager, Harry Nairn, who remarked it was “as light as pavlova”.
1. Lamingtons. Lamingtons are about as Aussie as it gets when it comes to sweet treats, and no Australia Day would be complete without them. There are loads of simple recipes for traditional lamingtons available, or why not try something really special like these Mocha Chocolate and Cherry Lamingtons by What Katie Ate.
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert. Originating in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century, it was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
Christmas in New Zealand is quite similar to Christmas in Australia — they share in some British traditions, like mince pie and Christmas pudding, and they also serve a ham or turkey.
Australians often celebrate Christmas Day by enjoying a Christmas lunch or dinner with their closest family and friends. The meal usually consists of a selection of hot and cold dishes, including fresh seafood.
The South Australian section of the Great Victoria Desert (GVD) is one of nine distinct sub-landscapes in the Alinytjara Wilurara region. It is the largest desert in Australia, spanning over 700 kilometres.
Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the entire world. Around 18% of the Australian mainland is desert. Most of Australia's deserts are located in the Western Plateau and the Interior Lowlands. Annual monsoon seasons cause huge amounts of water to fall on Australia's deserts.
This occurs in rocks that contain high amounts of iron. In this type of environment, these rocks actually begin to rust. As the rust expands, it weakens the rock and helps break it apart. The oxides produced through this process give the ground its reddish hue.
In its relaunched online edition, the dictionary says the first recorded Pavlova recipe appeared in New Zealand in 1927. This was in a book called Davis Dainty Dishes, published by the Davis Gelatine company, and it was a multi-coloured jelly dish.
New Zealand: Pavlova's Christmas Cake
Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, the meringue-based marshmallow-like cake with a crispy crust is a popular Christmas dessert savoured in parts of New Zealand and Australia. The icing on the cake is made of whipped cream, layered with fruits like kiwis and strawberries.
Kānga waru is a type of pudding from New Zealand. The dessert is made from cornmeal made into a dough that's wrapped and steamed. The dessert originates from the Māori people and is closely associated with Māori cuisine.
In England and Australia, you'll often hear Happy Christmas, but in the US and Canada, Merry is the star of the show.
Because of the seasonal changes in December in Australia compared to other parts of the country, Christmas is celebrated differently. So instead of being huddled by the fire, drinking hot chocolate, Australians head to the beach or have a day outside in the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Australia
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.