Please Educate Me / Vegemite

[rrich]

I've never seen, nor tasted Vegemite.
There seems to be an Internet storm about the amount of Vegemite spread over toast by a celebrity.

OK, I really like Sriracha on Thai food. I like hot or very hot salsa on much more than Mexican food.

On this forum I've seen snide remarks and outright snickering about Vegemite. Others seemed to be enthralled about the product. I feel that I may be missing out on something that is really good once a taste is acquired for the product. (Sort of like Scotch.)

The dumb questions are:
What does it taste like?
Should I make the effort to see if I can find it here in the US?
Are there other brand names of what ever Vegemite is?

[Chris Parks]

Health food of a nation! If you do try it use it very sparingly on the first try as the taste is very strong. I think this is where a lot of people who try it for the first time go wrong. If you want I will buy some and send it to you.

[Chesand]

It is considered to be un-Australian to not like Vegemite. As Chris says, best not to spread it thickly.
Cheese and Vegemite sandwiches used to be pretty much the staple school lunch for kids.

[poundy]

so it's a yeast extract. Was initially created by taking used yeast from brewing. If I had to describe it like a taste sensation you've had already, I'd say it's somewhat reminiscent of soy sauce, in that it has flavours that are high-umami and high-salt, and the "brew" aspect of the yeast is somewhat shared. But it's not just thick soy sauce, it's much more intense than that. But that's at least an interesting starting flavour profile that will either make you steer clear or try it out.

It certainly is worth a try; like many, I enjoy it thick on toast. It seems that there are US sellers on amazon if you want to try it, like this one selling this one.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

so it's a yeast extract. Was initially created by taking used yeast from brewing. If I had to describe it like a taste sensation you've had already, I'd say it's somewhat reminiscent of soy sauce, in that it has flavours that are high-umami and high-salt, and the "brew" aspect of the yeast is somewhat shared. But it's not just thick soy sauce, it's much more intense than that. But that's at least an interesting starting flavour profile that will either make you steer clear or try it out.

That about sums it up. If I had to compare it to anything, I'd say it tastes like beef stock in the same way a snake tastes like chicken.

Apart from it's widespread use as a sandwich spread - it goes great in ham & salad sandwiches too! - it's also often used in the basics of making a hearty veggie soup stock.

[Simplicity]

Try it
I notice most women spread it very sparingly, but I actually like it spread thick,

But then it was a common lunch sandwich spread when I was kid(I had know food choices being number 5 out of six kids, eat it or go hungry)

Cheers Matt

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Has the US released it's import ban on it?

Last I heard it was considered a vitamin supplement by the US Govt and as it didn't have the appropriate certifications it couldn't be imported.

Or at least, that's what I'm told by US customs every time they confiscate my jars of Vegemite when we stopover on the way to Canada.

(Which is one of my soap-box topics, but I'll spare us all and won't get started here. )

If that has changed...

[bueller]

I thought it was banned because it contained folate?

[Chesand]

Apart from it's widespread use as a sandwich spread - it goes great in ham & salad sandwiches too! - it's also often used in the basics of making a hearty veggie soup stock.

Marmite from the UK is probably the nearest thing to it but still not "Vegemite".

When the jar is all but empty, we rinse it out to make a juice that the dogs like on their food.

Ash Barty, our tennis champ, is sponsored by Vegemite and there has a been a promotion with the jars labelled as "Bartymite"

When our kids were little, they used to call it "Mightyveg" so it is known by that in our house.

[Handyjack]

You might want to watch this from about 10:30 YouTube No, that is not the recommended way to eat vegimite. As others have said, spread it thinly on bread, toast or savory biscuits. It is salty and that is probably why the pets love it. Also note the comment at 22:56.

Vegimite; the Australian secret training food at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

[Tonyz]

once you get hold of some spread on bread however thick you are game to try, then add peanut butter to the other slice... seriously its great, but then I like chewing leather boots as well.

[crowie]

Yes, We've had a few folk from the USA here who've tried it and suggested we were trying to poison them, but they were teenagers.

I like it thick especially with a even thicker layer of avocado or just plain on a cracker biscuit for morning tea.

Used to have Vegemite on toast as a kid with a poached egg on top as a treat at my grans.

As others have said, spread thinly for the first taste test over a good thick layer of butter, yum!

Cheers, crowie.

PS - Here's a youtube of the vegemite song


YouTube

Amanda Palmer - We're Happy Little Vegemites Lyrics | AZLyrics.com

[Handyjack]

Please note that Vegimite in no longer owned by "Kraft". It is now owned, since 2017, by Bega Cheese.
Vegemite - Wikipedia

[chambezio]

one has mentioned the "healing properties" of Vegemite. When you are recovering from the Flu or what ever a Sao Biscuit (Cracker biscuit with neutral taste) with Vegemite is something you have to start the recovery. Spread thinly over the biscuit and your appetite will return.

Vegemite toast and poached eggis the way to start a day.

[Chief Tiff]

Marmite from the UK is probably the nearest thing to it but still not "Vegemite".

Considering that Marmite and Vegemite are both yeast extract spreads it’s remarkable how different they are; Marmite is an incredibly thick, viscous liquid while Vegemite has the appearance and consistency of overheated axle grease; just not as tasty. Both fall under the “Love it or hate it” banner; I don’t know anyone on the planet who actually likes both. Marmite is available in Aussie supermarkets but is renamed “Our Mate” because Sanatorium already use that name to market their abomination.

In the UK you can buy Marmite flavoured potato chips, Marmite flavoured peanut butter and one Easter they produced a Marmite chocolate egg. That was a challenge....

Back to the original post; it’s something you can’t properly describe, you really have to try it. I would say the best way to introduce yourself to it would be THINLY spread it on hot buttered toast. Yes, it’s a bit of an acquired taste; but once you’ve tried it, hated it, tried it again, realised you were right the first time and then tried Marmite you’ll agree it was well worth the effort.

Forgot to mention; Vegemite thickly smeared behind the ears is an extremely effective drop-bear repellant. The laziest carnivore on the planet won’t go near the stuff.