Chicken Salt: Aussies Discover the Truth Behind the Flavour

Australians are expressing shock and disbelief after learning that chicken salt, a national favourite seasoning, does not contain chicken. The revelation, which gained traction through a viral video, has prompted widespread discussion and amusement across the country.

The discovery initially surfaced as expats shared their surprise, with one Australian commenting online, “Wait, I’m an Australian and there’s no chicken in chicken salt?” The question quickly resonated with many locals who were equally unaware of the seasoning’s composition.

Chicken salt was invented in the early 1970s by Peter Brinkworth at his chicken shop in Gawler, South Australia. Brinkworth sought a way to enhance the flavour and appearance of his roasted chickens. “When we were putting chickens on a spit… and sprinkling them with different condiments, I thought, well, this is a bit silly. Why don’t I just make up one condiment to sprinkle on the chickens and give them a bit more flavour and appearance?” he told SBS Food.

The original blend, according to Brinkworth, combined paprika for colour and monosodium glutamate (MSG) to boost flavour. “Glutamate is what we find in matured cheeses, dark mushrooms, tomatoes. It’s a very, very vibrant flavour. That’s the main thing that has made chicken salt what it was. MSG had that real flavour bomb,” he explained.

The now-ubiquitous seasoning has become a staple across Australia, enjoyed on chips, roast chicken and even in cocktails. Its popularity was highlighted in a 2019 incident where a customer’s request for chicken salt inadvertently saved a fish and chip shop worker from injury when a car crashed through the shop’s kitchen on the Sunshine Coast.

Despite the lack of chicken, the seasoning’s appeal remains strong. However, some businesses are now charging extra for the condiment. A café in New South Wales recently added a 50-cent surcharge for chicken salt, sparking outrage online, with many deeming the practice “un-Australian.” Oakvale Wildlife Park in Sydney likewise faced criticism for implementing the same surcharge.