A short history of Australian biscuits by ChatGPT, a very good chatbot

ChatGPT has been getting a lot of attention lately, "blowing up" is an apt description.

What is ChatGPT? We asked it.

Then we asked it for a history of Australian biscuits.

Other than the headings, everything below is written by ChatGPT.

What is ChatGPT?

GPT (short for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer") is a type of artificial intelligence language model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to generate human-like text, and can be used for a wide range of natural language processing tasks such as translation, summarization, and text generation. GPT was trained on a large dataset of human-generated text, and uses machine learning techniques to learn the patterns and structure of language. It has been used in a number of applications, including chatbots, content generation, and language translation.

ChatGPT, write an 800 word article about the history of australian biscuits

Australian biscuits, or cookies as they are known in the United States, have a long and rich history dating back to the early days of European settlement in Australia. The first biscuits were baked by British settlers in the late 18th century, using flour, sugar, and butter as the main ingredients. These early biscuits were hard and dry, and were often used as a substitute for bread.

As the Australian colonies developed, so too did the biscuit industry. In the 19th century, large biscuit factories were established in Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities, producing a wide range of biscuits for both the domestic and export markets. The first recorded recipe for a "biscuit" in Australia appeared in The Australian Cookery Book, published in 1864. This book contained recipes for a variety of biscuits, including plain, fancy, and ginger biscuits, as well as recipes for cakes, pastries, and other baked goods.

One of the most popular early Australian biscuits was the Anzac biscuit, which was developed during World War I as a way to send food to soldiers fighting overseas. The biscuits were made with rolled oats, flour, sugar, coconut, and golden syrup, and were designed to be hard and long-lasting, so that they could withstand the rigors of transport. The Anzac biscuit became a national symbol of Australia's involvement in the war, and is still a popular biscuit in Australia today.

Another popular Australian biscuit is the Tim Tam, which was developed by the Arnott's Biscuit Company in the 1960s. The Tim Tam is a chocolate biscuit sandwich filled with a chocolate cream, and is coated in chocolate on the outside. It quickly became one of Australia's most popular biscuits, and is now exported to countries around the world.

In the late 20th century, the Australian biscuit industry underwent a period of consolidation, as smaller biscuit companies were taken over by larger multinational corporations. Today, the major players in the Australian biscuit market include Arnott's, Cadbury, and Nestle. Despite this consolidation, there are still a number of smaller, independent biscuit companies operating in Australia, and a number of artisanal biscuit makers who produce high-quality, hand-crafted biscuits for a niche market.

In recent years, there has been a trend towards healthier, whole grain biscuits in Australia, as consumers become more health-conscious. Many biscuit companies have responded to this trend by producing biscuits made with whole grains, oats, and other healthier ingredients. There has also been a trend towards organic and fair trade biscuits, as consumers become more concerned about the environmental and social impact of their food choices.

Overall, Australian biscuits have come a long way since the hard, dry biscuits baked by the early British settlers. Today, there is a wide variety of biscuits available in Australia, ranging from traditional favorites like the Anzac biscuit and the Tim Tam, to healthier, whole grain options. Whether you prefer a classic biscuit or something more modern and innovative, there is sure to be a biscuit for everyone in Australia.

How did it do?

The link to this article is posted in The Junkees Facebook Group.

Share your thoughts in the group or email - hi@nearly.com.au