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Western Australia's unique culinary traditions: Spearmint milk, conti rolls and long mac topped up
Western Australia boasts a distinct culinary identity with several iconic food and drink items that are exclusive to the region. The Nightly has highlighted these unique offerings, which include Masters Spearmint Milk, a green, mint-flavoured milk first launched in 1964 that has become a cultural staple in WA. This drink, made with milk from local dairy farms, is a beloved school lunch item and after-sport treat. Another WA-exclusive is Kirks Kole Beer, a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage with a malted barley flavour that differs from regular cola. Polony, the local term for processed lunch meat, has been a fixture in WA lunchboxes for generations, with the region maintaining its unique name while other states use terms like 'devon' or 'fritz'. The Yogo Dirt Dessert, a nostalgic 1990s treat, made a comeback after a 12-year campaign by WA residents. The Conti Roll, an Italian-inspired sandwich with cured meats and antipasti, has evolved into Perth's ultimate lunch item. Chicken Treat, a WA-exclusive fast-food chain founded in 1976, remains a local favourite with its slow-roasted rotisserie chicken and chicken rolls. The 'Long Mac Topped Up' is a local coffee ritual where the drink is filled to the brim with milk, unlike the eastern Australian version. WA's kebabs 'with the lot' include a fried egg, a non-negotiable addition not found elsewhere. Fresh marron, a native freshwater crayfish exclusive to WA's South West, completes the list of unique regional delicacies. These items reflect WA's cultural identity and historical migration patterns, with many being embraced as nostalgic symbols of local life. Curtin University food marketing expert Min Teah notes that iconic WA products are not about profit but about making a true connection to the region, standing the test of time and becoming part of the cultural fabric.
