Is it even a proper South African morning if you’re not dunking a rusk into your tea or coffee? Whether you’re team rooibos or espresso all the way, one thing’s certain – rusks are more than just a snack. They’re a lifestyle.

These crunchy delights – known as beskuit in Afrikaans – go way back. Like, 17th century Dutch and British settlers kind of back. Designed to survive long journeys and colonial hardships, they were twice-baked to last and quickly became the OG travel snack. Think of them as the great-great-grandparents of your modern-day pantry essentials.

Fast forward a few centuries, and rusks have evolved from survival food to breakfast royalty – with flavours now ranging from classic buttermilk to fancier numbers like aniseed, condensed milk, and chocolate.

🎉 Enter: Swartland Kitchen, the Rusk Rebels of Darling

This local gem just turned 5 and celebrated with a brand-new flavour: Sunflower & Sesame. (Yes, please!) That joins their much-loved lineup of Buttermilk, Almond & Orange, and Breakfast (both the regular and no-sugar variety).

And who better to kick off your day with than the doyenne of Darling herself? 💁‍♀️ Evita Bezuidenhout swears by the Almond & Orange rusk with a hot cup of rooibos. Iconic combo? We think so.

💡 But what makes a rusk great?

According to Swartland co-founder Hentie van der Merwe, it’s all about the dunk factor:

“It should go soft – but not soggy. The worst is when it breaks and floats away. A good rusk holds its own!”

And flavour? Think real butter. Farm eggs. A touch of sweetness. Basically, it should taste like home.

🌍 Rusk Around the World

Turns out we’re not the only dunkers – from Sweden’s skorpor to Germany’s Zwieback, the world’s been crunching on rusks for ages. But let’s be honest – nothing beats the South African version. And no one does it quite like Swartland Kitchen.

🍵 Wanna taste test for yourself?

Darling’s got you. For just R60, you can book the country’s first-ever rusk tasting experience – three rusk flavours, two cookie samples, and your choice of hot drink. It’s basically a tea party with a local twist.

You can grab your pack online at www.darlingsweet.co.za or visit them in person at Evita Se Perron, 8 Arcadia Street, Darling.

So… to dunk or not to dunk?
Let’s be real – we all know the answer. 💁‍♂️☕ #RuskLifeForever