Several days ago, a conversation developed with 2 of my favourite bloggers … Heather from Master of Something I’m Yet to Discover and M-R at Rinnovata. If you aren’t familiar with them, they both hail from Australia and we were discussing odd regional foods – in particular, the Canadian use of maple syrup in unlikely foods like bacon.
Of course, it was inevitable that vegemite would enter the conversation.
Many years ago I had visited Australia and refused to try it at the time. It seemed totally wrong to eat something that was black in colour – not to mention Husband’s unfavourable review.
Gilles usually has an iron stomach and will eat virtually anything – unless it has coconut in it, but that’s a different story. If he thought vegemite was disgusting, that was good enough for me.
Heather however, pointed out that one of my favourite foods – licorice – is black … so my prejudice against vegemite based primarily on its unappetizing colour seemed unfair. Since my theme for this year is *discovery*, it seemed only fair that I add vegemite to my list of *52 new things* to try.
Since our conversation, I’ve been unsuccessful in finding vegemite in Toronto (ok – I admit I didn’t try particularly hard), however my wise hiking partner Helen pointed out that Marmite is a UK version of the salty Australian paste.
Score – my local grocery store had Marmite.
M-R gave me very specific instructions on how to eat it … bread, butter, and a VERY THIN spread of vegemite. I followed her instructions to the letter.
Verdict? … not bad. Nutella it is not, but palatable.
A single tasting hardly seemed ‘scientific’, so I needed to repeat the experiment a second morning and that’s when things got interesting. I encouraged Gilles to try it too, however he chose to ignore M-R’s careful instructions and grabbed a spoon.
I regret that I didn’t have my camera to capture what happened next.
First there was a gagging noise, followed by a dash to the kitchen sink. When spitting into the sink didn’t provide the relief he was hoping for, Gilles stuck his face under the faucet and attempted to wash out his mouth under the running water.
Conclusion? Deep belly laughs first thing in the morning is a perfect way to start a day.
Hey Joanne! Wanted to visit your earlier posts, and boy! am I glad I did!
Your encounter with Marmite is such a humorous and wonderful way to start my morning! You really are an Adventurer!
When I was growing up, we had another version of this flavouring paste, called Bovril. I believe it was made of a beef base. My mom used it to flavour food she cooked. I can’t say I remember eating it on toast!
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For reasons I just don’t understand, this post still gets so many hits. It was just a piece of silly fun in the middle of winter 🙂
We still use Bovril. In fact I used it Friday night while making a mushroom gravy 🙂
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I’ve come to realise folks feel very strongly about their spreads (esp Vegemite & Marmite). Maybe because you either love it or hate it!
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I can just imagine this scenario but I thought it was your child not your husband! It took me a while to enjoy Marmite and now I miss it because I rarely eat bread.
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hahaha! I think either of my sons would have had more sense to listen to my instructions 😉
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[…] in January, I wrote about my quest to try Vegemite for the first time … a yeast extract very popular in Australia. All I could find in […]
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There is never a day when vegemite is not eaten in my household. We all grew up with it and are accustomed to its salty taste. Can’t overdo it, though – spread it thinly on warm toast, it’s a delight.
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I doubt I will ever get to the stage where it could become an everyday staple 🙂
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I feel the same (like you do about vegemite) about Nutella. Vegemite is just an Aussie thing, I guess.
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What a delightful post!
Thanks for the chuckle 🙂
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Thanks Laurie. I don’t think Husband is chuckling 😉
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Joanne….I am going to trust your analysis! If for some odd reason a person actually asks me if I have tried Marmite or vegemite OR if I am offered one of the 2….I will simply reply, “I hear it is lovely spread on bread and butter!” At least that is what Joanne said! (do you think that will get me out of trying it?!
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Uh-oh. As soon as you said it’s a “lovely spread”, you were doomed.
I think you MUST try it … for how else will you know for sure 😉
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LOL….I’ve never even made myself try Nutella….are you sure its a good idea I try this?!
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LOL! … you might want to try Nutella first. It’s chocolaty goodness 🙂
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Ok….i’ll get back to you on all these new foods!!
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Yahoo! I’m sure it will be a fun read 🙂
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I adore Marmite! I have it exactly as your friend suggested, but the bread is key as well. For me toasted sourdough is sublime and served alongside beautifully scrambled eggs with OJ and coffee–the contrast in flavor profiles is so profound it’s amazing. Or Black Russian bread is even better, as our bakery makes it with toasted onion. It truly is one of the most savory experiences.
And I’m always tossing Marmite into soups and stews. Nutritional yeast is a fantastic source of protein and flavors dishes beautifully.
Fingers crossed it grows on you. I can’t live without it.
Cheers, Joanne!
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Thanks – a pot of stew, flavoured with Marmite, is in the cards today 🙂
I’m looking forward to it!
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It’s true. Mine won’t even ask the GPS for directions.
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… and if you’re like me, you NEVER get annoyed by it 😉
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Of course not. I’m sooooooo even tempered.
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Ah. Men and directions. Vegemite is not for the feint of heart… Or the spoon.
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Men are definitely challenged in the instructions department!! 🙂
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Great post, Joanne. My order of preference is Vegemite, Promite and Marmite. But you are right, it’s much easier to eat growing up with the taste. 😀
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I haven’t given up on my quest for vegemite. Taste testing is required 🙂
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Himself won’t go anywhere without his Marmite. A jar of the yukky stuff made two circuits around the US with us. 😛
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I’m guessing you aren’t a fan 😉
I’ve come to the conclusion it is a taste acquired in childhood, because nothing else explains its appeal. If something has to be spread VERY THINLY to be palatable, there’s something wrong with it. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person 😉
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Have you tried English mustard Joanne?
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hmmm – I don’t know. What is it? How is it different?
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It’s v. V. VERY hot. If Giles took a spoonful of that you’d know all about it! The whole neighbourhood would!
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We love spicy and we love mustard. Now I must go looking for it!!
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Colman’s English Mustard. Yellow label. Same place you found the Marmite? Go easy! 😈 It’s not like French’s. Let me know if you can’t find it.
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Thanks. I’ll go looking 🙂
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LOL! I hate that stuff 😉
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It certainly gets a love vs hate reaction 🙂
I have to admit I’m indifferent … but I see potential to use in cooking.
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What? You’re planning to fatally contaminate perfectly good food…??
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Oh no! Poor Gilles! Actually I’m not a fan of Marmite but I don’t mind Vegemite, it is much ‘gentler’ and it is meant to be spread v e e r r y thinly. It is especially good on whole-wheat toast, or even cheese sandwiches, but a little really does go a long way 😉
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Don’t feel sorry for Gilles … he shouldn’t ignore instructions 😉
… and combining it with cheese sounds amazing. Hmmm – might need to make grilled cheese sandwichs tomorrow!
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Haha; this is so funny. Vegemite / Marmite are classic foods here in New Zealand too, although our Marmite is quite different to the English product called Marmite. When we lived in England in the 1990s it was really common to ask expat friends who were returning to NZ for a hiloday to bring Kiwi Marmite back. It wasn’t possible to buy “our” Marmite in England, because it had the same name as the local product, and Kiwis are either Marmite OR Vegemite eaters – seldom both! When a jar arrived it was greeted like precious treasure. And when Antipodeans got together and there would inevitably be a Marmite V Vegemite debate, which could get really heated! I personally think that English Marmite tastes like Aussie Vegemite, so you’ve orobably tried something very close to the product M-R was taliking about. As for me; Kiwi Marmite Forever!!!!!
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OMG! Now you’ve added a potential 3rd element to my experiment!!! This is turning out to be quite the venture 🙂
This might take me awhile!
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Hehe; you’ll have to come to NZ to try “real” Marmite! And of course, there’s also Promite – which is another Aussie product. A welsh friend of mine swears it’s the best!!!
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I’m convinced I HAVE TO visit NZ!!!
Maybe … someday… 🙂
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And Australia; we can all get together with M-R and do a taste-test 🙂
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Great idea!! 🙂
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I didn’t know your Marmite is different. Now I’m wondering if I’ve had Pommy or Kiwi Marmite. And I love Promite. 😀
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Our a Marmite is made by Sanitarium. I’m not sure who owns the English brand; it might be Kraft. I had Promite once and thought it was at the Vegemite end of the taste spectrum. This is reminding me of being back in the UK when we. Used to have such serious conversations about the merits, of each spread!! Haha 🙂
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You are braver than I am… I don’t think I could try that. Too bad you didn’t have the camera, but I cracked up at your telling of what happened anyway. Poor guy! 🙂
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hahaha! I don’t feel sorry for him. He didn’t respect the instructions given and suffered the consequences! 😉
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I won some Vegemite as part of a blog giveaway early last year. (Thankfully there were other tasty treats in the prize package, because this stuff made me gag.)
I see where a REALLY thin layer might make it less gag-inducing, but I have to ask… WHY ??? Why would anyone eat this? Is there some massively good health value that I’m not aware of?
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I’ve looked at the nutritional facts and I can’t see why it would be so popular.
I think it’s going to show its value in adding flavour to cooking. I’ll be experimenting with soups and stews.
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Wikipedia says … Vegemite is one of the richest sources of B vitamins, specifically thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid, but unlike Marmite and some other yeast extracts, it contains no vitamin B12…
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Now i have to try it. Nutella is terribly sweet for me. I hope Marmite or The Australian version is more savory? There is no description here to help me understand the flavor but you got me curious.
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You’re right – it’s savoury, but even more so. Think very salty like an intense *bouillon* taste.
It was good advice I got from M-R to ensure there is only a very thin layer. I’ve also read that it makes an excellent flavour enhancer for soups and stews. That’s my next experiment 🙂
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I just might love this stuff 😉
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If you use it in a stew only add a small teaspoonful – it is very salty! Personally I prefer to add a dash of Worcestershire Sauce.
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Agree! I’m a biiiiig worcestershire sauce fan!
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Hah! Men never listen, do they? Wish you would’ve had that GoPro!
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Men at Work! Why do I only see typos after I hit “reply?” Sheesh.
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that’s because there are evil gremlins in our keyboards that change our words when we hit ‘send’ 😉
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I knew it!!!!
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I was just thinking of the Men at Word song too which was my introduction to Vegemite. I would try a very thin schmear of it….why not? Good on yer, mate, as M-R would say!
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I’ll be interested to hear about your taste test!
I’m still on the lookout for vegemite so I can compare the two of them. This isn’t over yet 😉
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Not as far as husband is concerned. For him it is over!!!
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Not as far as husband is concerned. For him it is over!!!
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hahaha! You’re right on that one! I don’t think I’ll be able to convince him to participate 😉
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You just cleared up a mystery for me Joanne 🙂 Ever since Colin Hay and his band Men at Work released the song “Down Under” many years ago I wondered what in the hell a Vegemite sandwich was, LOL. Great post.
“Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was 6 foot 4 and full of muscles
I said do you speak my language, brother ?
He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich” – Colin Hay
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LOVED Men at Work!! Thanks 🙂
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Now that would have made a fantastic video! Loved your description. Poor Gilles.
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“poor” Gilles got what he deserved … ignore instructions at your own peril 😉
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Do I remember correctly that there were commercials for vegemite when we were kids?!? It has always sounded unappealing. I’m sticking with Nutella. Poor Gilles should do likewise 😊
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I don’t think Gilles will be trying something different in a while 😉
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Nutella. It’s the hazelnut … a tiny bit goes a long way 😉
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Je veux dire à ton mari cela: “Gilles, s’il te plaît, ne fais pas comme ça ! Pourquoi cette bétise ?
Manges comme les Australiens mangent …” but I know he will merely look scornful.
I’m quite pleased that you managed to get some down; but am obliged to say that even that much is, imo, laying it on a bit thick. [grin]
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Je suis heureux que je pouvais comprendre cela sans aide 😉
I think he got what he deserved by ignoring instructions .. but it was a very entertaining breakfast 🙂
You thought it was still too thick on my toast? Maybe years of eating spicy foods have killed my taste buds 😉
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I think it’s one of those flavours best experienced in … ahh … dalliance, so to speak – really lightly. 🙂
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Us southern folk eat odd things. Back in the day, vegemite was a take along hkming/camping staple. Thin thin layer on pita break with strong sweet coffee was an energy filled breakfast or eaten with lemonade made from ice cold mountain water was a quick lunch. No, it definitely isn’t ufella but thank heaven,it is not japanese natto or as Icall it, snotto.
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Kanzen – I’ve read a bit about cooking with vegemite/marmite in things like soups and stews to add a rich umami flavour. Do you have any experience with that?
That’s the direction I’m thinking of going next.
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Down here, we have Kitchen Bouquet and in Asian food stores, you find Maggi. Both are yeast/soy based food additive. Vegemite is similar but used as a food. It can be added, like the KB or Maggi. All three products do add an “extra” taste and enrich flavors. They also add a brown color. So the two additives are used to impart color, flavor, richness. For a true umami flavor, I recommend dashi or dashi powder. This is a fish based broth/additive. You will find, especially Japanese food,often start with dashi. I don’t care for it becaise I don’t like fish. I actually prefer white miso paste. Again, a fermented bean product that tome, tastes better. I posted recipes for miso baked chicken, soup, and grilled corn on the cob, similar to Jaanese street food corn. I buy the paste in a tube and keep in the fridge. This to me is more umami and doesn’t add the dark color which one doen’t always want.
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Thanks for the info. I’m familiar with Maggi and it never occurred to me that it might be in the same category as marmite or vegemite. I’ve used Maggi in cooking quite often.
I’ve never heard of dashi, but I am with miso. I’ve had some difficulty finding miso paste so I’ll have to keep looking 🙂
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Dashi is a fish broth made from dried bonnita flakes. You can buy the powder. It’s like chicken boullion but fish. Maggi is from fermented soy beans. Vegemite is from a yeast defivative…different but similar in process, flavor, purpose, vitamin content. Salty. Taking a big slurp of Maggi is lime eating a big spoon of vevemite – gag city. Miso paste is found in axian food stores, some groceries in the asian section, can be ordered online. I keep it on hand to use with lots of dishes, not tk mention “instant” miso soup. I make my own udon noodles and store in the freezer for soup and noodles dishes. Fettucine can be used, but different taste/texture.
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I’m glad to mentioned the miso soup. I’m trying a new recipe today that requires miso, but I couldn’t find any paste (I live in an Asian area, but I couldn’t find it in the local grocery store) … so I used the miso soup base instead. Based on the result I just popped in the oven, it looks like it will work 🙂
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Marmite is nothing like Vegemite! Vegemite is yummy!!! Marmite is just ok. Had vegemite on muffins for breaky this morning 🙂 full of vitamin B and if you youtube the vegemite ad from years gone by you’ll discover it puts a rose on every cheek 🙂 enjoyed your post 🙂
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My quest isn’t over … I’m still on the search for vegemite because now I want to conduct my own blind taste test.
I read a few reviews from google, but there didn’t seem to a consensus.
This isn’t over! 😉
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I hate to tell you but Marmite is not the same as Vegemite. Similar but…different. Still, I am exceedingly proud of your adventurous spirit to give a close alternative a try. And Gilles’ action just made my blood pressure rise. This is why people spread the rumour that Vegemite is disgusting – because they expect to eat it like peanut butter or Nutella. If you don’t eat it the way it’s meant to be eaten, what do you expect? But then my blood pressure dropped when I started laughing at the consequences. Served him right. 😛 😀
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LOL – I totally agree with you! He didn’t follow instructions and there were consequences! … but it was a wildly entertaining start to the day 😀
I was aware that marmite and vegemite were similar but not the same. I’m still on the hunt for vegemite because now I want to do a blind taste test 😉
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I was serious about offering to post some to you, if you can’t find it. 🙂 It comes in tubes that are pretty safe to send.
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Thanks H – I really appreciate that!
I’ve checked out a couple of leads that were unsuccessfully and I have a couple more. If I can’t find any, I’ll let you know 😉
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Lol. I’m totally with your husband with this. The adverts for marmite used to have the “Love it or hate it” tagline. I have extreme hatred for the stuff. Yuk. Well done for giving it a go.
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I was surprised – I expected to hate it. I can’t say I love it, but it was ok. I’m now eager to begin experimenting with cooking with it. 🙂
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They say it is an Aussie acquired taste…There is nothing else yummier for growing Aussie kids… love it.
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I can see how it would become an acquired taste. I didn’t find it unpleasant … but at my age, I’ve come to associate breakfast with bananas and peanut butter 🙂
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I’ve the association between these two, but the reviews had been negative. No, I’m not going to rush out to buy either, but now my curiosity is laid to rest. I don’t have to try it. Joanne has filed her report. Good enough for me. If I’m ever starving… 😀
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I’ve since learned that marmite/vegemite can be added to soups/stews etc to add a rich umami flavour. That will be my next experiment 🙂
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Great idea and do tell afterwards. 🙂
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Such a guy thing to do, isn’t it? So funny Joanne!
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Isn’t that the truth!!! 😀
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Marmite’s also a huge favourite in the de Wet household! Nutella has only ever made it’s way into our cupboard, and onto the breakfast table, once and will likely not be invited again…
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LOL – that’s hilarious!! Marmite 1, Nutella 0
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Never tasted the stuff myself. That actually seems like the exact thing that would happen to me and my husband though, this based on the fact that he has a sensitive gag reflex and that the stuff begins with the letters vege.
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I too have a sensitive gag reaction but it’s more related to texture rather than taste.
My position is that if he wasn’t going to follow instructions, he had to be prepared for the consequences 😉
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Exactly! Also typical of my husband who I call The Lazy Chef.
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Vegemite is best on toast as a side dish to a boiled egg! We eat tons of it Ms Marissa!
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You are what you eat!
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then I’m incredibly sweet … and chocolaty 😉
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Did I tell you you were my kind of woman?
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LOL!!!
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oh my…I burst out laughing while reading this!!! I’ve never had Vegemite but lesson learned, when experiencing a new thing it’s good to take advice from someone else who knows better. Your description of his reaction reminds me of the videos of that lady trying the Cinnamon Challenge on YouTube. I wonder if a spoon full of Nutella would have helped…lol..great Post! Thanks for the chuckle. 😉
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hahaha! I like your version of washing out the flavour better than Gilles’ 😀
Nutella solves most problems 😉
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Now I am curious about it. Maybe I will give it a try, too. It’s extremely healthy, right? 😉 Helen
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Good question Helen – I actually didn’t know. I’m used to seeing nutritional info on food packages and there wasn’t any on this one. Having now looked it up – it is a source of protein, but high in sodium.
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Oh my!! Sounds like an adventurous morning for sure!! Way to get in there and try it!! XOXO
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Thanks! I was expecting it to be much worse than it actually was … but I couldn’t have anticipated my husband’s reaction. Too funny!!! 😀
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Hehe!! Sounded like a fun surprise!! 🙂
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