# The New Marmite Horror: Marmageddon! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455 "2012-03-21T23:39:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/1 "2012-03-21T23:39:37Z")
Remember [The Marmite Horror](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=534691) ? It’s back! In reverse! Now they are running out, and the acolytes of Cthulhu may be forced to settle for pate de people’s brains instead. [Marmageddon: New Zealand runs out of unique spread](http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2012-03-20-AS-New-Zealand-Marmite-Shortage/id-dce13dda1f144ceaba7dc0aab578aae6) [New Zealand Freaks Out About ‘Marmageddon’](http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/zealand-freaks-marmageddon-181400452.html) The company that makes the stuff is called Sanitarium. Marmite lovers are in panic. On-line bidding wars fu! Others contend it is better used as axle grease. [QUOTE=from the first article linked] The manufacturer, Sanitarium, announced this week it had run out of Marmite, the sticky black spread that fans adore and doubters think would be better used for axle grease. [/quote] ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/2 "2012-03-22T01:05:15Z")
Sanitarium!!? How deliciously… Lovecraftian. It’s good they’ve got the vertical integration down. When the Marmite consumption gets to people, they can be brought into the company’s mental hospitals, where eldritch designs can be scrawled in smeared Marmite. My first thought was the same as Key. I am sure there are “many subtleties” that make Vegemite different, but it should work in a pinch, no? Plus it’s more local unless they want to stick it to the Aussies. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/3 "2012-03-22T01:16:24Z")
New Zealand’s Marmite is distinct from the UK original, so all is not lost. Vegemite’s not more local at all. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/4 "2012-03-22T01:45:29Z")
Good thing I prefer the english version of Marmite. Also my 2.5 kilo bucket of vegemite is only half empty. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/5 "2012-03-22T01:55:50Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Also my 2.5 kilo bucket of vegemite is only half empty. Mine’s about a quarter full. Maybe even a third. I was going to have a cheese-and-Vegemite sandwich for dinner, but I came home to find the SO cooking. I have a small jar of Marmite too. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/6 "2012-03-22T02:10:57Z")
I feel a [link to this song](http://youtu.be/fVKPrQv1H8I) is needed. (although it is about vegamite) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/7 "2012-03-22T02:14:05Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > New Zealand’s Marmite is distinct from the UK original, so all is not lost. Vegemite’s not more local at all. New Zealand Marmite is an abomination, so I believe the forthcoming famine is a Sign from Og that they need to mend their ways. I’ve got a spare jar of the real stuff that I will send to our Kiwi cousins as a Marmite missionary to get them to convert. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/8 "2012-03-22T02:34:28Z")
Geez, if New Zealanders are using as much Marmite per piece of toast as pictured in that article, no wonder they’re running out. I have a small jar of Marmite (purchased from the British grocery in Santa Monica) that I expect to last until approximately 2025. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/9 "2012-03-22T14:10:28Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > (purchased from the British grocery in Santa Monica) If that’s the Ye Olde King’s Head shop next to the pub, I used to get Vegemite there. (And the bangers are the same as in the pub. Very good.) ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/10 "2012-03-22T15:05:16Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > New Zealand Marmite is an abomination, so I believe the forthcoming famine is a Sign from Og that they need to mend their ways. > > I’ve got a spare jar of the real stuff that I will send to our Kiwi cousins as a Marmite missionary to get them to convert. Philistine. At least I’ve got two jars of the good stuff in the cupboard to see me through the drought. My stepson back in NZ managed to purchase the last jar in the town where he lives. > [@Pyper](#): > > Geez, if New Zealanders are using as much Marmite per piece of toast as pictured in that article, no wonder they’re running out. I have a small jar of Marmite (purchased from the British grocery in Santa Monica) that I expect to last until approximately 2025. Ah, so you will use it before it has properly aged 😉 Si ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/11 "2012-03-22T16:07:29Z")
Since this is apparently about a food-like substance, I’m moving it to Cafe. From MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/12 "2012-03-22T17:28:08Z")
I finally got my cheese-and-Vegemite sandwich (on an extra-crispy English muffin), and now I want another. I suppose I should have a cheese-and-Marmite sandwich, but I do like Vegemite. Maybe for lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/13 "2012-03-22T17:57:50Z")
I’ve never tasted either Marmite or Vegemite. But there is a store that sells the latter around here. Maybe I should get brave and try it. Would putting Vegemite on an English muffin be better than on toast? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/14 "2012-03-22T18:09:16Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I’ve never tasted either Marmite or Vegemite. > > But there is a store that sells the latter around here. Maybe I should get brave and try it. > > Would putting Vegemite on an English muffin be better than on toast? Yes. Toast it, then add butter and a very light smear of vegemite or marmite. If you like salty beef drippings, you’ll probably like these products. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/15 "2012-03-22T18:47:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Marmite, the sticky black spread that fans adore and doubters think would be **better used for axle grease.** I am one of those “doubters”—and I hereby declare that the above statement is an insult, and totally untrue!!! I would never, never use Marmite for axle grease. I have too much respect for my car. The only possible use for Marmite has already been outlawed: the army isn’t allowed to produce chemical weapons. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/16 "2012-03-23T02:05:33Z")
My wife refuses to eat the British stuff. I have to admit, I have come to live NZ Marmite. It also one of the few things that our daughter will eat for lunch. She will be very upset. We have a jar of the British stuff. I’ll give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/17 "2012-03-23T02:21:09Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Since this is apparently about a food-like substance, I’m moving it to Cafe. From MPSIMS. There is nothing food-like about Marmite. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/18 "2012-03-23T03:40:00Z")
Is it true that antipodean Marmite is sweetened? _shudder_ I’ll stick with the British stuff, I think. Why is the US the only Anglophone country without a yeast extract spread? (Canada has Promite, right?) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/19 "2012-03-23T04:17:51Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Is it true that antipodean Marmite is sweetened? _shudder_ I’ll stick with the British stuff, I think. **Why is the US the only Anglophone country without a yeast extract spread?** (Canada has Promite, right?) We have peanut butter! 'Nuff said! (Well, and almond butter for the truly adventurous.) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455/20 "2012-03-23T04:34:26Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Is it true that antipodean Marmite is sweetened? _shudder_ I’ll stick with the British stuff, I think. Why is the US the only Anglophone country without a yeast extract spread? (Canada has Promite, right?) Kiwi Marmite is indeed sweetened, hence my disparaging remarks. My Kiwi cousins once gave me a jar and it was so wrong I had to have therapy afterwards. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-marmite-horror-marmageddon/616455.md?page=2)