Australia is known as the smallest continent and one of the largest countries in the world. It is located between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere.
Just like other countries that majorly use glass jars and bottles for storing/packaging food and drinks (Armenia, Argentina, Uzbekistan, Zambia, etc), Australia, alongside its rich food tradition, uses glass containers as a result of glass’ inertness, food safety, and ability to maintain the flavour and quality of food for the longest time compared to plastics.
In this article, you will learn about Australia's piccalilli, native fruit jams, wine, olive oil, the use of glass jars and bottles for each of these foods and drinks, recipes and a guide on using the most suitable glass containers, especially for those in the UK.
Australia's Food Culture, Food, Drinks, and Recipes
Overview of Australia's Food Culture
When it comes to Australia’s food culture, it is said to have embraced its flavours from all around the world because it’s as diverse as its landscape.
Some of its varieties include the classic piccalilli, golden mustard pickles, and fruit jams, which were brought into the country by the first set of British settlers, who became part of the local food, alongside the Australian native fruit jams like Davidson plum and Lilly Pilly, both rooted in Aboriginal food traditions (bush tucker or bush food).
Because Australian food and drinks require food-safe containers, especially when being preserved for longer periods, glass jars and bottles have become non-negotiable containers for food and drinks in homes and the food product industry.
Little wonder Australia’s glass-packaging industry boasts one of the most developed in the Asia-Pacific region, with glass plants such as O-I Australia, Visy, Orora, and Amcor producing millions of wine, beer, juice, food, and spirit bottles each year.
Piccalilli, Golden Mustard Pickles, and Native Fruit Jams in Glass Jars
What are the Australian Piccalilli and Golden Mustard Pickles in Glass Jam Jars?
The Australian piccalilli, also locally known as “garden relish”, is similar to golden mustard pickles because they basically share the same vegetables as their base, which include sliced celery, cauliflower florets, diced red capsicums, cucumber, onions, and zucchini.
The Australian piccalilli is believed to have originated from the British, which is an interpretation of Indian pickle, but has transformed into one of Australia’s most well-known pickles. One of the differences between the British and Australian piccalilli is that the Australian version is slightly sweeter.
Also, what differentiates the Australian piccalilli and golden mustard pickles, despite containing the same base vegetables, is the difference in flavour balance. While piccalilli has more of a turmeric flavour, golden mustard is known for its yellow colour and is milder and sweeter.
Australian piccalilli and golden mustard pickles are the preserves that can last up to a year in the pantry without refrigeration when not opened.
Australian Piccalilli (Garden Relish) Recipe in Glass Pickle or Jam Jars
Ingredients
● 1 small cauliflower, cut into small florets
● 3 celery stalks, finely sliced
● 2 red capsicums, diced
● 1 medium zucchini, diced
● 1 cucumber, diced
● 2 onions, finely chopped
● 2 tbsp salt
● 500ml white wine vinegar + 100ml water
● 150g caster sugar
● 2 tbsp cornflour
● 2 tsp turmeric
● 2 tsp mustard seeds
● 1 tsp ground mustard
Method
● Mix all the chopped vegetables in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, cover, and leave for 4 hours or overnight to draw out moisture. Rinse thoroughly and drain well.
● Sterilise your wide-mouth glass jars by washing them in hot soapy water, then placing them in an oven at 160°C for 10 minutes (ensure you use a microwave-safe jar).
● In a large saucepan, whisk together the vinegar, water, sugar, cornflour, turmeric, mustard seeds, and ground mustard over medium heat until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
● Add the drained vegetables to the sauce, stir well to coat, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly.
● Pack the hot piccalilli tightly into sterilised glass jars, pressing down to remove air pockets, and seal immediately with tight-fitting lids.
● Heat-process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, then remove and cool completely. The lids should pop down as the jars seal.
● Store in wide-mouth pickle jars with airtight lids, which are available in our wide-mouth pickle jars collection. It can last for up to 12 months if unopened and stored in a cool, dark pantry.
What are the Australian Native Fruit Jams, or Davidson Plum Jam in Glass Jam Jars?
Davidson plum jam is one of the indigenous Australian preserves that is widely known in the country. The Davidson plum fruit is a rainforest fruit from Queensland and New South Wales, which is deeply purple in colour and very sour. The fruit is known to make a delicious jam and is made using equal weights of Davidson plum fruit and caster sugar.
Australian Davidson Plum Jam Recipe in Glass Jam Jars
Ingredients
● 1kg Davidson plums, seeds removed
● 1kg caster sugar
● Juice of 1 lemon
Method
● Blend the Davidson plums to a rough pulp using a food processor or stick blender.
● Combine the plum pulp, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
● Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 30-60 minutes, stirring regularly, until the jam sets and test by placing a small amount on a cold plate; it should wrinkle when pushed.
● Remove from the heat and carefully pour the hot jam into the sterilised glass jars using a jam funnel, leaving 1cm headspace.
● Place a small disc of baking paper on the surface of each jar, seal with lids immediately, and leave to cool completely upright. The lids will seal as the jam cools.
● You can find various sizes and designs of glass jam jars in our collection. The jam can last up to 2 years if unopened.
● Once opened, refrigerate it and use it within 4 weeks.
Lilly Pilly jam is another fruit jam made from a native Australian fruit, Lilly Pilly, which has a long history in Aboriginal food culture. The fruit has a colour range from bright pink to purple with a cranberry-like flavour and naturally high pectin content that makes it great for jams and preservation.
Australian Lilly Pilly Jam Recipe in Glass Jars
Ingredients
● 800g fresh Lilly Pilly berries, stalks removed
● 600g caster sugar
● Juice of 1 lemon
● 100ml water
Method
● Rinse the berries and place them in a saucepan with the water. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-20 minutes until the fruit softens and releases its juice.
● Press the cooked fruit through a fine sieve or food mill to remove seeds and skins, keeping the smooth, deep-pink pulp.
● Return the pulp to the saucepan, add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
● Increase the heat and boil steadily for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the jam sets.
● Pour immediately into the sterilised glass jars, seal with lids, and leave to cool completely. The jam will set further as it cools.
● You can find various sizes and designs of glass jam jars in our collection. The jam can last for up to 12 months if unopened. Once opened, refrigerate it.
Other popular Australian fruits for jams include:
● Quandong: It has a tangy, sweet-and-sour profile, historically known as "wild peach".
● Desert Lime: It has a strong citrus flavour, great for marmalade and sweet sauces.
● Muntries: They are small berries that taste like spiced apples.
Australian Wine, Drinks and Olive Oil in Glass Bottles
Australia is one of the world's most respected wine-producing nations, and glass bottles are the universal bottle across every price point and style. Wine is bottled in mostly green or flint (clear) glass; darker glass bottles are used for reds and fuller whites that are sensitive to UV rays.
A similar level of protection is required for premium Australian extra virgin olive oil.
The Australian extre virgin olive oil is also stored in glass bottles, precisely green or amber glass bottles. This even led to the upgrade where Australia domestically made Square Marasca and Round Dorica bottles in Antique Green glass. This is because antique green glass filters UV light and slows the oxidation process that makes olive oil go rancid.
Other Australian traditional drink include:
● Lemon Lime and Bitters (LLB): It is known as the unofficial national pub drink. It perfectly balances lemonade, lime cordial, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
● Bundaberg Ginger Beer: It originated from Queensland, it is a brewed ginger beer made from locally grown ginger and cane sugar.
● The Flat White: It is an Aussie staple that revolutionized global coffee culture. It’s an espresso with steamed milk, known for its smooth texture and rich, robust flavor compared to a standard latte.
● Sarsaparilla: It is an old-school soft drink brewed with molasses, vanilla, licorice, and sarsaparilla root.
Using the Right Glass Container in the UK for Australian Food and Drinks
If piccalilli, Davidson plum jam, or Australian olive oil has inspired you, the recipes above are a great starting point. You'll find everything you need in our wide collection of food-grade glass containers.
In all cases, you’ve seen that glass jars and bottles are shown to be the right container for the same core reasons because they are non-reactive, provide a reliable vacuum seal, and can be sterilised at high temperatures without degrading, which are unlike plastic containers.
|
Food/Dish |
Fits Your Category |
|
Piccalilli (garden relish) |
Pickle jars, jam jars, wide-mouth jars |
|
Golden mustard pickles |
Pickle jars, jam jars, wide-mouth jars |
|
Davidson plum jam |
Jam jars, glass jars |
|
Lilly Pilly jam |
Jam jars, glass jars |
|
Wine/spirits |
Wine bottles, alcohol bottles (green/amber/flint) |
|
Olive oil |
Olive oil bottles, glass bottles |
|
Beer |
Beer bottles, alcohol bottles |
When choosing glass jars and bottles:
● Look for food-grade glass.
● Choose a reliable lid or closure that forms a tight seal.
● Pick a size that suits your batch.
● Consider glass thickness for durability and reusability.
● Dark or Antique Green glass protects light-sensitive contents.
4 Interesting Things About Australia's Food and Jar Culture
● The Australian piccalilli was introduced to the country by the first British settlers, and is known locally as garden relish, which is sweeter and milder than its British piccalilli. It can also last for up to a year if properly stored in a glass jars.
● O-I Australia, Visy, Orora, and Amcor make Australia one of the most glass-packaging-intensive countries in the Asia-Pacific, producing millions of glass bottles annually for food, spirits, juice, wine, and beer.
● In 2025, Australia introduced domestically made olive oil bottles in two new shapes: the Square Marasca (250ml) and Round Dorica (500ml), both in Antique Green glass, specifically because it filters out the UV light and blocks exposure to heat and oxygen that degrades the quality of olive oil.
● It is believed that Davidson plum jam is one of the most visually appealing jams you can make at home.
You can find a full range of glass jars, jam jars, pickle jars, wine bottles, and olive oil bottles in our collection as a trusted 30+ years glass jars and bottles supplier in the UK.