Marmite: Should you or shouldn't try this English delicacy?

Marmite: Should You or Shouldn’t You Try It? What is it?


You’ve probably heard of Marmite. Then again, perhaps you haven’t. If you’ve ever visited Great Britain, Australia or New Zealand odds are you heard of it. I have, but though I’m a frequent traveler to Europe always beginning in London for summer holidays, I’ve never tried Marmite. What the H--- is Marmite you may ask. Excellent question. First, what is it? From Wikipedia: Marmite is the brand name for two similar food spreads: the original British version, since 2000 a Unilever product; and a modified version produced in New Zealand by Sanitarium Health Food Company and distributed in Australia and the Pacific. Marmite is made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing. Basically, it’s the excess yeast that comes off the beer when beer is made. Tell me, who thought of such a thing? Did a beer maker watch as the yeast came off the brewery and spread it on a cracker? Who really knows. Does it even matter? I did realize one thing: It was time that I gave marmite a try. I really should, though. In order to get the overall English experience. Besides, I’m just one of those people that will try any food once. My adage when traveling is “when in Rome do as the romans do, or eat as they would”. It does make for a more enjoyable visit.


I went to my local market in Jackson, Mississippi just the other day and purchased a genuine jar of Marmite. A small jar, just in case I didn’t like it. Yes, grocery stores in the U.S. now carry it. Not all stores but those that have an international section should. Well, after hemming and hawing over an entire day, I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, just the name of it, Marmite didn’t do anything to draw me to it. Neither did the fact that it is labeled “Yeast Extract”. But, I decided to give it a try and try I did. I opened the jar and spread it thinly on a Wheat Thins cracker. Hmmmmnnnn…..it’s brown like beef base. It’s salty, very salty in fact and it even tastes like beef base. Not bad. Not great. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. I might even eat it again. I certainly won’t go out of my way to eat it. I know the small jar I bought won’t get emptied fast, but I shall endeavor to try it every now and then. Next time, I think I’ll spread it on some toast with some strawberry jelly. They say people that have tried it either hated it or loved it and I believe it. It does take some getting used to. It does take some will power to get past the name and what it is. All in all, not a disgusting item to digest. It could even be used to make a nice vegetable soup. After all, it is vegetarian. Oh, should you find yourself interested in trying it and can’t find it at your local supermarket, no problem for amazon carries it.



For more information about this British delicacy:
The Marmite FAQ: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Marmite%20FAQ.htm#name

Anglo-Kitchen Taste Test: What Does Marmite Taste Like? http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/02/anglo-kitchen-taste-test-marmite-taste-like/

Marmite: Ten things you'll love/hate to know: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-13541148



What Is Marmite? All about Marmite - History, Uses, Nutritional Content, and Where to Buy:
http://foodreference.about.com/od/traditional_foods/a/Marmite.htm

The great Marmite conspiracy: has it secretly changed its recipe?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/aug/10/the-great-marmite-conspiracy-has-it-secretly-changed-its-recipe


A Yank’s Perspective on Marmite: http://wearenotfoodies.com/a-yanks-perspective-on-marmite/


That’s it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month, every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, elephant or monkey. One person, one voice can make a difference. Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.



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Regards,
S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.
In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family." Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line retailers and independent booksellers.
“Some secrets should remain that way.”