Marmite vs Vegemite

[FFCcravencottage]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite
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MarmiteFrom Wikipedia,

A jar of British MarmiteMarmite ( /ˈmɑrmaɪt/ mar-myt) is the name given to two similar food spreads: the original British version, first produced in the United Kingdom and later South Africa, and a version produced in New Zealand. Marmite is made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing.

The British version of the product is a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, powerful flavour, which is extremely salty and savoury. This distinctive taste is reflected in the British company's marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it." Other similar products are the Australian Vegemite and the Swiss Cenovis.

The distinctive product was originally British, but a version with a different flavour[1] has been manufactured in New Zealand since 1919, and this is the dominant version in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

The image on the front of the British jar shows a "marmite" (French: [maʁmit]), a French term for a large, covered earthenware or metal cooking pot.[2] The British Marmite was originally supplied in earthenware pots, but since the 1920s has been sold in glass jars that approximate the shape of such pots.[3] A thinner version in squeezable plastic jars was introduced in March 2006.
Early historyMarmite was invented by accident in the late 19th Century when a German scientist, Justus von Liebig, discovered that brewer's yeast could be concentrated, bottled and eaten.[4][5]







In 1902 The Marmite Food Extract Company was formed in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England by the Gilmour family, with Marmite as its main product and Burton as the site of the first factory. The product took its name from the "marmite" (French: [maʁmit]), a French term for a large, covered earthenware or metal cooking pot.[6] The British Marmite was originally supplied in earthenware pots, but since the 1920s has primarily been sold in glass jars that approximate the shape of such pots.[7] The labels of the UK product still carry the image of a marmite. The by-product yeast needed for the paste was supplied by Bass Brewery. By 1907, the product had become successful enough to warrant construction of a second factory at Camberwell Green in London.[8] The product's popularity prompted the Sanitarium Health Food Company to obtain sole rights to distribute the product in New Zealand and Australia in 1908.[9] They later began manufacturing Marmite under licence in Christchurch, albeit using a modified version of the original recipe. During World War I British troops were issued with Marmite as part of their rations.[4]

[edit] Varieties[edit] BritishIn 1990, Marmite Limited—which had become a subsidiary of Bovril Limited—was bought by CPC International Inc, which changed its name to Best Foods Inc in 1998. Best Foods Inc subsequently merged with Unilever in 2000, and Marmite is now a trademark owned by Unilever.

[edit] New ZealandSanitarium's recipe differs somewhat from that of British Marmite, most notably in the addition of sugar and caramel.[1] Common ingredients are also present in slightly different quantities from the British version;[1] the New Zealand version has high levels of potassium, for example. New Zealand Marmite is described as having a "weaker" or "less tangy" flavour than the British version.[1] It is distributed throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

In 2008 a limited edition "Mo-mite" was released in support of the "Movember" campaign for men's health.[10]

[edit] UseInitially, Marmite was popular with vegetarians as a meat-free alternative to beef extract products such as Bovril, which were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century.[citation needed]

Marmite is traditionally eaten as a savoury spread on bread, toast, crackers and digestive biscuits.[citation needed] Owing to its concentrated taste it is usually spread thinly with butter or margarine. Marmite can also be made into a winter drink by adding one teaspoon to a mug of hot water much like Bovril.

In 2003, the Absolute Press published Paul Hartley's The Marmite Cookbook, containing recipes and suggestions on how to blend Marmite with other foodstuffs.[11]

Marmite also works well with cheese (such as in a cheese sandwich) and has been used as an additional flavouring in Mini Cheddars, a cheese-flavoured biscuit snack. Similarly, it has been used by Walkers Crisps for a special-edition flavour and has introduced, with local Dorset bakery Fudges, Marmite Biscuits in the UK. Starbucks UK has a cheese and Marmite Panini on their menu.[12]

In New Zealand, Sanitarium, the NZ Marmite company recommends spreading it on bread with potato crisps added to make a "Marmite and Chip" or "Crisps and Marmite" sandwich.[13] In Singapore and Malaysia, Marmite is popularly added to plain rice congee to give it a strong, tasty flavour.

In August 2006, as part of the launch of squeezy Marmite, celebrity chef Gary Rhodes created a dessert consisting of coffee ice cream topped with chocolate sauce with a dash of Marmite. It was served for one week only in his London restaurant.[14]

[edit] ManufactureWhile the actual process is secret, the general method for making yeast extract on a commercial scale is to add salt to a suspension of yeast, making the solution hypertonic, which leads to the cells shrivelling up; this triggers "autolysis", in which the yeast self-destructs. The dying yeast cells are then heated to complete their breakdown, and since yeast cells have thick hull walls which would detract from the smoothness of the end product, the husks are sieved out. As with other yeast extracts, Marmite contains free glutamic acids, which are analogous to monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Today, the main ingredients of Marmite manufactured in the UK are glutamic acid-rich yeast extract, with lesser quantities of sodium chloride (table salt), vegetable extract, niacin, thiamine, spice extracts, riboflavin, folic acid, and celery extracts, although the precise composition is a trade secret.[15] By 1912, the discovery of vitamins was a boost for Marmite, as the spread is a rich source of the vitamin B complex; vitamin B12 is not naturally found in yeast extract, but is added to Marmite during manufacture. With the vitamin B1 deficiency beri-beri being common during the First World War, the spread became more popular.[16]

[edit] Nutritional informationIn the 1930s, Marmite was used by the English scientist Lucy Wills to identify folic acid and its effect in suppressing anaemia.[17] Besides folic acid (Vitamin B9) Marmite has useful quantities of several other vitamins, even in small servings. The sodium (salt) content of the spread is high and has caused concern, but the amount per serving, not the percentage in bulk Marmite, is the significant factor. The main ingredient of Marmite is yeast extract, which contains a high concentration of glutamic acid, a known excitotoxin. Marmite made in the United Kingdom is gluten-free.[18]

British[19] & New Zealand[20] Marmite UK Marmite per 100 g per 4 g serving NZ Marmite per 100 g per 5 g serving
Energy 983 kJ 39 kJ   Energy 680 kJ 34 kJ   
Calories 231 kcal 9 kcal Calories 163 kcal 8 kcal
Protein 38.4 g 1.5 g Protein 16.2 g 0.8 g
Carbohydrates 19.2 g 0.8 g Carbohydrates 16.6 g 0.8 g
of which sugars 0.5 g trace sugars 11.8 g 0.6 g
Fat 0.1 g nil Fat 0.9 g 0.1 g
of which saturates trace nil       
Fibre 3.1 g 0.1 g Fibre 11.5 g 0.58 g
Sodium 3.9 g 0.2 g Sodium 3.4 g 0.17 g
Salt 11 g 0.44 g Potassium 1.95 g 0.098 g
   % RDA    % RDI
Thiamin 5.8 mg 0.23 mg 17% Thiamin 11.0 mg 0.55 mg 50%
Riboflavin 7.0 mg 0.28 mg 18% Riboflavin 8.4 mg 0.4 mg 25%
Niacin 160.0 mg 6.4 mg 36% Niacin 50.0 mg 2.5 mg 25%
Folic Acid 2500 µg 100 µg 50% Folate 2000 µg 100 µg 50%
Vitamin B12 15.0 µg 0.6 µg [21] 40% Vitamin B12 10.0 µg 0.5 µg 25%
        Iron 36.0 mg 1.8 mg 15%
RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance
Suggested serving 4g for adults, 2 g for children
Children's serve has ½ of the adult quantities shown.
RDI = Recommended Daily Intake

[edit] British marketing and packaging
The 'squeezy' version of UK MarmiteMarmite's publicity campaigns initially emphasised the spread's healthy nature, extolling it as "The growing up spread you never grow out of." During the 1980s, the spread was advertised with the slogan "My mate, Marmite", chanted in television commercials by an army platoon. (The spread had been a standard vitamin supplement for British-based German POWs during the Second World War.)

A 2004 UK TV advert, which parodied the 1958 Steve McQueen film The Blob, substituting Marmite for the original alien space menace and including scenes of fleeing crowds, was dropped from children's television after concerned parents reported that their children had been scared by the adverts and had nightmares after viewing them.[22]

In 2006, a new "squeezy" jar of Marmite was released. It was released to make the Marmite easier to get out. The container is made of plastic, and when first launched the "Marmite" logo was replaced by the words "Squeeze me".

Paddington Bear featured in the Marmite UK TV advertisement (broadcast on 13 September 2007); in which he tries a Marmite and cheese sandwich instead of his traditional marmalade sandwich. When he offers the sandwiches to other characters, he gets mixed and often dramatic reactions.[23]

On 8 March 2010, Marmite XO launched with boxed packaging. Quotes from back of the jar include 'Marmite XO Extra Old' and 'Using four specially selected yeast sources, our master blender has crafted the secret Marmite recipe and matured it four times longer to create a Marmite so strong and full bodied it can only be for the most devoted of lovers'.[24][25]

[edit] Marmite effectBy the 1990s, another strand entered the company's marketing efforts; Marmite's distinctive and powerful flavour had earned it as many detractors as it had fans, and it was commonly notorious for producing a polarised "love/hate" reaction amongst consumers. Modern advertisements play on this, and Marmite runs a dual skinned website with two URLs; I Love Marmite and I Hate Marmite, where people may share their experiences of Marmite and are actively encouraged to fuel this debate, as prompted by the I Hate Marmite registration form. This resulted in the coining of the phrase "Marmite effect" or "Marmite reaction" for anything which provokes such strong and polarised feelings.[26]

On 22 April 2010, Unilever threatened legal action against the British National Party (BNP) for using a jar of Marmite and the "love it or hate it" slogan in their television adverts.[27]

[edit] Availability worldwide
Our Mate — jar of UK Made Marmite Spread branded for sale in AustraliaMarmite is available in most food stores in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, and generally most parts of the Commonwealth of Nations like Singapore, Malaysia, and Canada.

In the United States, UK marmite can also be purchased in most CUB food stores and some QFC supermarkets, where it is found in the baking section. Marmite purchased in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands is New Zealand Marmite, which has its own distinctive taste.

UK Marmite is available in Australia in the 125g size from several small imported food stores.

There is also an imported version called Our Mate which is produced and exported by Unilever's UK & Ireland export division (Unilever UK & Ireland Export). These are also sold in the 125g size and are produced in Burton on Trent, the home of Marmite and Bovril. The label states "Made in the UK by Unilever UK." Australia's national distributor Manassen Foods works with Unilever UK & Ireland Export to sell Our Mate (Marmite) in Australia and New Zealand.

Marmite is also available to a lesser extent in other countries, mostly in specialist and health shops.

In Denmark, food safety legislation dictates that foodstuffs which contain added vitamins can only be sold by retailers which have been licensed by the Veterinary and Food Administration.[28] In May 2011, the company which imports the product to Denmark revealed that it wasn't licensed and had therefore stopped selling the product: this led to widespread but inaccurate reports in the British media that Marmite had been banned by the Danish authorities.[29][30][31]

[edit] Special editions

[Jimbobob]

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My daughter has found it!!!
How is the best way to try for the uninformed???
I need to know????
I want to like it but I am afraid!!!!

[Burt]

Spread thinly on a piece of toast, Mr Jombobob sir.

[Burt]

Spread thinly on a piece of toast, Mr Jombobob sir.

Oops forgot to mention to have butter on the toast first  :003:

[Burt]

Spread thinly on a piece of toast, Mr Jombobob sir.

Oops forgot to mention to have butter on the toast first  :003:

And then you will either  :020: or  :004:

[Burt]

I prefer Bovril.

Hot Bovril to drink on a cold day - niiice.

Bovril sandwich with cucumber (the cucumber must have been soaked overnight in vinegar, and not have any e-coli) - niiice.

[Jimbobob]

Spread thinly on a piece of toast, Mr Jombobob sir.

Oops forgot to mention to have butter on the toast first  :003:

And then you will either  :020: or  :004:

Burt you are the man!!!
That is exactlly what I am thinking!
Need to pull the trigger............
Hilarious!!!
Jimbobob

[Jimbobob]

Spread thinly on a piece of toast, Mr Jombobob sir.

Oops forgot to mention to have butter on the toast first  :003:

And then you will either  :020: or  :004:

Burt- the verdict............................

And I am sorry to say.......................

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I really wanted to like it but it is not my cup of tea I am sorry to say....... :026: :026: :026: :026:

[Burt]

No need to apologize Mr Jimbobob sir, I don't go out of the way to eat the stuff either, I also avoid Vegimite, so as I am half Brit / half Oz in nationality I don't favour either of them!!

Stick to beer. It's safer.

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[ron]

Stick to beer. It's safer.

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At last !  The voice of reason ! Cheers ! :beer:

[Berserker]

Didn't know you could have marmite as a drink, might give it a try. I bought some of that extra strong marmite, haven't tried it yet though

Sorry for the non football question, but I absolutely love Marmite (and Bovril as a hot drink) but have never tasted Vegemite. Is there a big difference between the two, cause I'm sure if they are simular I would love Vegemite as well. I suppose it's my unhealthy love of salt, love Soy Sauce. Would I love Vegemite?

[Jimbobob]

Stick to beer. It's safer.

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At last !  The voice of reason ! Cheers ! :beer:

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Amen brothers!!!

[OldBrownShoe]

 086.gif Me, I like both Marmite and Vegemite. Interestingly Tesco sell their equivalent of Marmite (in a similar jar) called "Yeast Extract" and it is about a pound cheaper. To my unrefined palet, it tastes a little less salty, and it is our yeast extract of choice. I have it on toast most days. But just imagine this. Mrs Shoe makes her breakfast here and takes it to work to eat by which time the toast is cold. Marmite or Tesco's version is also great in a peanut butter sandwich, or a cheese one.
Bovril is great, as a drink or a spread.

[muiscatron]

4 pages on Marmite and Vegemite! It must be June.
The Marmite flavoured cashew nuts are pretty good.

Has anyone tried the Marmite spin-off products? Their ricecakes are lush. The cereal bars are disgusting though - too sweet. I was loitering in Brighton station a year or so ago and there were Marmite reps giving away free bars. I had to go up to people who took them and warn them. The cycling tops are fetching as well. In Sri Lanka you can buy Marmite in a rather fetching box. I once hatched a plan (not acted upon, I hasten to add) to smuggle jewels back from there in jars of Marmite, thereby funding a life of luxury and surf trips to Hikkaduwa.
while writing this reply I've refused a drink with a Dane on the basis of his country's outrageous ban. Send in the gunboats. Where is Nelson now?

[King_Crud]

Growing up in Australia I used to eat Vegemite. I like it thick spread with no butter/marge. I don't eat it too reguarly, but when i have an urge for it I go nuts. And it's easy to find in London, my local off licence sells it.

And after living in the UK for 5 years I only had Marmite for the first time last weekend. It was ok, but i found it runnier than Vegemite, and the flavour didn't seem to be as strong. I'd have it if it was there but given the choice I'd take Vegemite.

[Logicalman]

Didn't know you could have marmite as a drink, might give it a try. I bought some of that extra strong marmite, haven't tried it yet though

Extra Strong? Whereat?

[FFCcravencottage]

Didn't know you could have marmite as a drink, might give it a try. I bought some of that extra strong marmite, haven't tried it yet though

Extra Strong? Whereat?

It's been out for quiet some time now, X4 extra strength, I'm not sure if it was done as a limited edition though.

[Fusili]

Marmite  = gods nectar for mere mortals

+1 :Haynes The Maestro:

[Fusili]

At the risk of upsetting those who like them, I think that anyone who does has taste in their bum.
The main difference between the two is that Marmite if of meat extract and Vegemite is of vegetable extract. What they do have in common is that they are both a great substitute for axle grease, tarring the roads or causing a heated debate amongst the Poms and Aussies.
I honestly believe that you have to be weaned on them and it is not something that you can take to in later years when your palate and taste-buds have become more educated. 092.gif

I hate to sound like a know it all but Marmite is a yeast by-product used in the brewing industry,thats probably why it tastes good. :54:

[OldBrownShoe]

Let's hear it for Bemax!  098.gif 098.gif 098.gif 098.gif 098.gif I am sure one of the Methuselahs of the board  (Corked Hat or Peabody perhaps) will remind us about this product.