Being an Australian myself, this question is near and dear to my heart. I’ve been eating and loving “Australian Toasties” since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
The Toastie has been a staple for many Aussies as long as we can remember. Toasties are also called Jaffles.
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We all enjoy a Toastie after a night out on the town, snuggling up watching a movie, or whenever we have next to nothing left in the fridge and pantry.
So what is a Toastie?
This is a Toastie
A Toastie is basically a toasted cheese sandwich. A sandwich that has been toasted. Toasties are often cooked in the old sandwich makers. You know, the ones where you clamp down the lid, barely fitting your ingredients in.
The Toastie maker has sealed edges and usually 2 tringle halves. But we can call any toasted/grilled cheese sandwich a Toastie.
For True Aussie Authenticity, it Must Have Bega Cheese
Bega Cheese (shelf stable cheddar cheese) is available in many shapes and forms in Australia. My friends in America typically order it in cans from Amazon:
Okay, cheese in a can sounds less than ideal, but Bega cheese is absolutely delicious. It is not tasteless like most pasteurized processed cheeses, and a Toastie made with Bega is bonzer! Bega exceeded $2 billion AUD revenue 2021. They are also known for Vegemite.
The Origins – From the Toasties Humble Beginnings to its Current Bombastic State
In 1974 Breville realesed its new contraption – the toastie machine. Dont get me wrong toasted cheese sandwiches had been around for ages but this machine was different.
It was the first machine to have the cut and seal mechanism we now usually associate with the Australian Toastie / Jaffle.
Today, Australian Toasties can have additional ingredients from meat to tomatoes to baked beans. While there may be some debate as to exactly “what is a Toastie”, we can all agree its a sandwich that has been toasted or grilled.
Summary
What are toasties? Delicious, simple, Australian grilled cheese sandwiches. Preferably made with Bega Cheese!
