The Core Components of Arnott's Tina Wafers
Arnott's Tina wafers achieve their signature light, crispy texture and delightful taste through a combination of several key ingredients. These components form the foundation of the biscuit, which is then customised for each flavour variant.
List of fundamental ingredients
- Sugar: A primary ingredient that provides the sweet flavour profile, used in both the wafer and the creamy filling.
- Wheat Flour: The main structural component of the wafer layers, sourced from 100% Australian wheat.
- Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil): Used to create the smooth, creamy filling and contribute to the crispy texture of the wafers. Arnott's is committed to using certified sustainable and 100% traceable palm oil.
- Starch (Wheat): Helps create the characteristic light and delicate crispness of the wafers.
- Salt: A necessary flavour enhancer to balance the sweetness of the sugar.
- Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin): An additive crucial for blending the oil and water-based ingredients, ensuring the cream filling has a consistent and smooth texture.
- Flavour: Used to provide the specific tastes for each of the vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry cream fillings.
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the wafers rise and become light and airy during baking.
Exploring Flavour-Specific Additions
The assortment of Arnott's Tina wafers includes three distinct flavours: chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry. These individual tastes are achieved by adding specific flavourings and colours to the basic cream filling.
How each wafer flavour is made
- Chocolate Wafers: The chocolate cream filling is made with the addition of Cocoa Powder to the cream base, which provides the rich chocolate flavour and dark colour.
- Raspberry Wafers: These wafers use specific food colours to create their vibrant pink cream filling. Ingredients like Cochineal and Allura Red AC are used for this purpose.
- Vanilla Wafers: The vanilla cream is created using specific flavouring ingredients, while Sunset Yellow FCF is a food colour that contributes to the classic creamy yellow appearance.
- Food Acid (Citric Acid): This is often used to balance the flavour, particularly complementing the fruitier notes of the raspberry cream.
Important Allergen and Dietary Information
For consumer safety, especially those with food allergies, it is essential to be aware of the allergens present in Arnott's Tina wafers. The product contains several common allergens and may be subject to cross-contamination.
Allergen profile
- Contains: The mandatory allergens listed on the packaging include Wheat, Gluten, and Soy (due to soy lecithin).
- May Contain: The manufacturing environment means that cross-contamination is a possibility. The packaging includes a warning that the product may contain traces of Egg, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, and Tree Nuts. Individuals with severe allergies to these ingredients should exercise caution.
Nutritional Snapshot of Tina Wafers
While a delicious treat, it's helpful to understand the nutritional content of Arnott's Tina wafers. A standard serving size is typically considered to be 2 biscuits, weighing around 16.7g. Below is a general overview based on 100g of product:
Nutritional values per 100g
- Energy: Approximately 2180 kJ (equivalent to 521 calories)
- Total Fat: Around 25.7g
- Saturated Fat: Roughly 13.1g
- Carbohydrate: Approximately 68.6g
- Sugars: About 44.3g
- Protein: Around 2.7g
- Sodium: Around 55mg
Comparing Tina Wafers to Other Arnott's Biscuits
To provide context, here's a brief comparison of Arnott's Tina wafers with some other well-known biscuits from the Arnott's range:
| Feature | Arnott's Tina Wafers | Arnott's Tim Tams | Arnott's Nice Biscuits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Light, crisp wafer layers with cream filling | Chocolate biscuit with cream filling and chocolate coating | Simple, sweet, crunchy biscuit |
| Core Ingredients | Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil | Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil, cocoa solids | Wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil |
| Key Flavouring | Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry cream | Chocolate | Sugar sprinkles |
| Primary Allergen | Soy, Wheat, Gluten | Soy, Wheat, Milk, Gluten | Soy, Wheat, Gluten |
| Packaging | Assorted flavours often available in one pack | Typically sold in single-flavour packs | Single-flavour packs |
Additional Additives and Their Roles
Beyond the primary ingredients, several additives are included in Tina wafers to maintain quality, consistency, and extend shelf life.
Functional additives
- Antioxidant (E307b from Soy): This is added to the vegetable oil to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.
- Food Acid (Citric Acid): Used to enhance flavour and also acts as a preservative, especially in the fruit-flavoured varieties.
- Food Colours: Various colours such as Caramel III, Cochineal, Allura Red AC, and Sunset Yellow FCF are used to give the cream fillings their distinctive appearances.
Arnott's Stance on Sourcing and Sustainability
The Arnott's Group has outlined commitments regarding the sourcing of its ingredients, particularly concerning palm oil, a key component in Tina wafers.
Sustainable palm oil commitment
- According to Arnott's, the palm oil used in their products is certified sustainable and fully traceable. This aligns with growing consumer demand for ethically sourced ingredients and aims to mitigate environmental concerns associated with palm oil production. For more details on Arnott's sustainability practices, you can visit their official website.
Conclusion: Unpacking Your Tina Wafers
Arnott's Tina wafers are a beloved snack, and a look at the ingredients reveals a classic biscuit composition. The foundation of wheat flour, sugar, and vegetable oil is enhanced with specific flavourings and colours to create the familiar assortment of vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry cream fillings. While containing common allergens like wheat, gluten, and soy, and a cross-contamination warning for others, Arnott's provides transparency regarding their ingredients and sourcing, including their use of certified sustainable palm oil. Knowing what goes into these crispy, creamy wafers allows consumers to make informed choices about their snacking.
