History of Damper

Damper is a Aussie bush icon, not as popular today because of camp refrigerators but its origins are part of Australia's bush history.

Bread was and is a staple of the Australian diet. But travelling long distances in the Aussie climate would result in rotting and mould on bread. The need to have a food that would travel without bruising or rotting. Water is the number one essential of the Australian bush, and the need to "dampen" one's hunger as well, resulted in the word "damper" (per references).

Swagman, Stockman or traveller often only carried Water, Flour, Salt, Tea and sugar. Plus shooting meat for the pot, lots of roos, later rabbits, and other game. Roo in the stew. Some home cooked Damper in a tin on the coals.

Damper is not a bread as it is made without yeast.