Damper (food) facts for kids
Damper bread
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| Type | Soda bread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Australia |
| Created by | Stockmen |
| Main ingredients | Wheat flour, water |
Damper is a classic Australian soda bread. It was often made by early settlers, swagmen, and stockmen. These were people who traveled a lot in the Australian bush.
Damper is different from bush bread. Bush bread has been made by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. It uses native seeds, nuts, and roots. These are crushed, mixed into dough, and baked in fire coals. Scientists are still looking into whether Indigenous cooking methods influenced how damper was made. Damper was also cooked in the ashes of a campfire.
Contents
What is Damper?
Damper is a type of bread made from wheat flour. The main ingredients are flour and water. Sometimes, a little butter was added if available. The dough is lightly mixed and then baked.
How Damper Was Cooked
Damper was usually cooked in the hot ashes of a campfire. First, the ashes were flattened. The dough was placed there for about ten minutes. Sometimes, it was wrapped around a stick. After that, it was covered with more ashes. It cooked for another 20 to 30 minutes. The bread was ready when it sounded hollow when tapped.
Another way to cook damper was in a greased camp oven. This is a heavy pot used for cooking over a fire.
Damper "Bush Scones"
Sometimes, damper was made into smaller, individual pieces. These were called "bush scones" or "johnny cakes". It's not clear if the name "johnny cakes" came from a similar American cornmeal bread. However, Australian johnny cakes are made from wheat, not corn. They are often pan-fried.
Why Was Damper Important?
Damper was very important for stockmen. These people traveled far into remote areas. They often stayed away from towns for a long time. They carried only basic food supplies. These included flour, sugar, and tea. They would add any meat they could find.
The simple ingredients of damper were flour and water. Sometimes, milk was used. For the bread to rise, baking soda or even beer could be added. Damper was a filling meal. It was often eaten with dried or cooked meat. Many people also enjoyed it with golden syrup, a sweet topping.
Damper's Place in History
Damper is seen as a very Australian dish. It reminds people of early European settlement and life in the Australian countryside. However, making bread is a very old and common practice worldwide. This type of bread baking is not unique to Australia.
Many cultures have similar versions of hearth breads. These are breads cooked directly on a hot surface or in ashes. Also, different kinds of soda breads are made when camping in many parts of the world. You can find similar breads in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
See also
In Spanish: Damper (pan) para niños
