You’re not South African if you’ve never tried a rusk. It’s a rite of passage.
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 August 2025) – For the oblivious who have chosen to look the other way as far as rusks are concerned, an American living in Johannesburg, who goes by the name of Joe Fleming, breaks it down in a video about the South African staple brekkie item.
You can trust his judgement, well, because this isn’t the first South African snack he’s given high praise.
Now, there are many different kinds of rusk out there, Joe points out. They’re like South African snowflakes. Every second ouma passes on a treasured family rusk recipe to the next in line.
We’re spoiled for choice at the shops, too. In Joe’s opinion, Cape Cookie’s Luxury Honey & Almond Rusks take top prize, and Woolies’ Muesli rusks aren’t half bad, either.
He does point out, though, that the best kind of rusks are generally found somewhere on a farm, made by somebody’s tannie. And its true.
Fleming also goes on to share the protocol around eating rusks. South Africans all know that its frowned upon to ‘rawdog’ a rusk. There’s a ritual to it, a sacred one.
A generous dunk, preferably into a milky cup of tea or coffee, is standard procedure. Skip that step and you’ll get a few skeef looks.
Back to Fleming’s public declaration of love for rusks:
“When you come to South Africa, make sure if you go to a lodge, wherever it is, try the rusk. Try different kinds of rusk. There are so many different kinds. It’s a great addition to a morning coffee or tea. You’ll enjoy them.”
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From Joe’s mouth to the world. Here’s the video:
Sources: Linked above
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