Oceania

Cruffins are a modern pastry that originated in Australia, often described as a cross between a muffin and croissant. However it actually only consists of croissant dough but it is baked in a muffin tin, giving it an attractive swirly muffin like appearance. The dough is made using flour, yeast, sugar, butter, salt and milk …

Vanuatu is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean neighbored by Fiji, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Australia. It is known for its spectacular landscapes, WWII shipwrecks, calm waters, friendly locals, active volcanoes, fresh seafood, high quality chocolate, and the world’s only underwater post office. The population of Vanuatu is composed of …

In Australia, the democracy sausage, also known as a democracy snag, is a sausage sandwich traditionally served at polling stations during elections. A democracy sausage is essentially a sausage in a piece of bread, served with a choice of condiments. The sausage is typically a pork or beef sausage cooked on a barbecue or grill. …

Kiribati is an island country located in Oceania, in the Central Pacific Ocean. The country is surrounded by Nauru, Tuvalu, and Tokelau. Tarawa (also known as the capital of Kiribati) is situated on Bairiki Island. The country is known for its top notch fly fishing, amazing scuba diving experiences, and beautiful seabird wildlife. The population …

A witchetty grub is the larva of the witchetty bush cricket, considered a delicacy by some Indigenous Australians. It is high in protein and is usually eaten either raw or cooked. The raw grubs have a nutty flavor, while the cooked grubs taste like scrambled eggs.  The traditional way of cooking witchetty grubs is to …

Tuvalu, the small island nation of only 11,000 people, is home to a food culture that reflects its seaside resources as well as a long history of cultural fusion.  Despite spanning 9 partially connected atolls and islands, Tuvalu’s limited land size and resources create a uniform cuisine across the nation. Its history as a former …

Tonga, a Polynesian country located in the South Pacific, is known for its stunning natural beauty, friendly people, and rich culture. It consists of 170 mostly uninhabited islands. The food of Tonga is a unique blend of Polynesian and Melanesian flavors, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Due to its location, seafood …

Fa’ausi is a traditional Samoan dish prepared by comining two recipes: dense coconut bread (also known as fa’apapa) and sweet coconut caramel sauce. Fa’apapa is typically prepared using copra (dried coconut flesh), but many people also use ingredients like mashed pumpkin, banana or taro. Fa’ausi is generally consumed as a snack or as a dessert. …

Samoa is a group of 12 islands in the South Pacific Ocean located somewhere between Hawaii and New Zealand. Hawaii is about 2,500 miles North East and New Zealand, about 2,000 miles South West of Samoa. Only 4 of the 12 Samoan islands are inhabited. It has a population of 200,000 which is surprisingly small …

Papua New Guinea is a country located in Oceania that includes the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia (a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of Australia). The country is best known for mainly two things: snorkelling and the Virgin Islands. It is also full of …

Fiji is an island country located in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. The country is surrounded by Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Wallis, Futuna, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu Kermadec Island and New Zealand. Fiji is best known for its beautiful islands, natural beauty, tropical charisma, lovely seafood and so much more. The population of …

New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two major landmasses—the North Island and the South Island—and more than 700 small islands. The country is best known for its national rugby team, its native Maori culture, and its scenic landscape. The population of New Zealand is made …

Barbecue snags are a type of Australian sausage, generally prepared using beef, pork, garlic, and onions. Normally thick in texture with a mild flavour, barbecue snags are usually served along with mashed potatoes, grilled onions, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, chutneys and loaves of artisanal bread on the side. It can also be eaten as a …

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert originating from Australia or New Zealand. It has a crispy texture outside and gooey from the inside. Piled up with fruits and whipped cream within, Pavlova is relatively easy to prepare.  It is served as a celebratory dessert both in Australia and New Zealand, and chefs around the world have …

Australia is the smallest continent in the world, but at the same time the sixth largest country. The British only colonized Australia in the early 18th century whereas the indigenous population have been living there for over 40,000 years. Although the continent is a mixture of nationalities and cultures, there is a wide variety of …

Kangaroo meat is produced in Australia and is generally prepared by roasting, slow-cooking or stir-frying. This red meat can either be directly consumed or sliced and added to a salad or can also be eaten with rice and vegetables. Kangaroo meat has a tendency to dry out very rapidly, which is why it is generally …

Rourou (or roro) is a traditional Fijian dish originating in the Pacific Islands, prepared from taro leaves stewed in coconut milk. This recipe represents the true flavours of the archipelago of Fiji. This warm and comforting dish can be used as a starter or a side dish and is authentically served with boiled taro roots.  …

Kokoda is a dish prepared from raw fish, native to Papua New Guinea and the archipelago of Fiji. Made from raw fish marinated with the flavors of citrus and coconut, this variant of the Peruvian ceviche is served in coconut or giant clam shells. Additionally spiced with a combination of ingredients like chilies, sliced onions …