# Vegemite **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 14, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833 "2009-02-14T16:37:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/21 "2009-02-15T01:47:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > edit: Wow, you’re fast, **Qadgop**. I used to be fast. Now I’m only half-fast. Bovril is made with beef, though they did make it with yeast between 2004 and 2006. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/22 "2009-02-15T01:50:27Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Wow, you’re fast, **Qadgop**. What, you mean to tell me you _don’t_ have a jar of marmite handy by your computer? 😕 ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/23 "2009-02-15T01:52:44Z")
Mine’s all the way in the cupboard. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/24 "2009-02-15T01:54:19Z")
That’s weird. I should’ve checked first, but I am sure I read recently that this was why the NZ Marmite and UK Marmite were so different - one was a beef extract and one was yeast. I wonder where I got that notion from. Oh well, forget everything I said in my post. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/25 "2009-02-15T02:01:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I have yet to try Vegemite, but I love its English cousin Marmite. I know each has its proponents, but what’s the difference in taste between the two? I assume they’re similar foodstuffs. To me, Marmite has sort of a ‘bitter’ component to it. But I haven’t had a lot of Marmite, compared to a quarter of a century eating Vegemite. Tomorrow I’ll do a direct comparison with the muffin-and-cheese thing. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/26 "2009-02-15T02:06:44Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > What, you mean to tell me you _don’t_ have a jar of marmite handy by your computer? 😕 As a matter of fact I do, and I can assure everyone that my particular bottle of Marmite is all yeast extract and salt. I had to check though, since I’m quite sure my wife would have complained if I got the wrong Marmite. I haven’t had Vegemite in years. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/27 "2009-02-15T06:12:18Z")
I almost made a typically-American dis of Vegemite, but when I thought about it and the beerish belches it produces I realized it was a natural complement to peanut butter and rye bread. Not natural enough that I’d eat it (I prefer peanut butter, hot peppers and TOASTED rye bread), but edible. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/28 "2009-02-15T07:48:50Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Fortunately, I bought up a bunch of the 3 year old stuff, and am faithfully ageing it. I don’t have that much patience or self-control. If I had 3-year-old cheddar on hand, it would not be on hand long enough to become 4-year-old cheddar. Or 3 1/2-year-old cheddar, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/29 "2009-02-15T08:52:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > What, you mean to tell me you _don’t_ have a jar of marmite handy by your computer? 😕 Well, 10 or 15 feet at the most. Pretty close. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/30 "2009-02-15T08:57:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > To me, Marmite has sort of a ‘bitter’ component to it. Well, I agree that Marmite has a slight bitterness to it. I have to find myself some Vegemite now. I’m guessing it’s probably a smoother, mellower version of Marmite. ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/31 "2009-02-15T09:07:12Z")
Vegemite tastes gorgeous on toast or fresh bread, with butter. But take the warnings and spread it as thin as it is literally possible to spread it. Scrape it thin - not even covering every bit of the surface. If you really like it, then have it thicker. I love the stuff, but have never managed to like it other than screamingly thin. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/32 "2009-02-15T17:21:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, I agree that Marmite has a slight bitterness to it. I have to find myself some Vegemite now. I’m guessing it’s probably a smoother, mellower version of Marmite. The experiment has been completed. Apparatus: One English muffin Two slices of Tillamook medium cheddar cheese, cut into rounds with my REI cup Olive oil margarine Vegemite Marmite Butter knife Paper towel Toaster Toaster oven Procedure: The English muffin was split longitudinally into two equal halves and toasted in the toaster. Upon being toasted, equal amounts of margarine were spread onto each half. The margarine on the knife was wiped off with the paper towel. Vegemite was spread onto one half-muffin, the knife was wiped clean, and Marmite was spread on the other half-muffin. During this procedure it was observed that the Vegemite has a consistency similar to peanut butter, and that the Marmite’s consistency is slightly less viscous. Two slices of cheese were cut from the brick. An [REI Thermo Mug](http://www.rei.com/product/401089) was used as a cutter to produce round slices of cheese. One slice of cheese was put onto each test platform and both units were introduced into the toaster oven, sitting directly on the rack. Heat was applied until the cheese was bubbly. Each test sample was consumed in bites in turn until both samples were completely ingested. Results: The Marmite’s bitter component, mentioned earlier, was noted. However, it blended well with the cheese, muffin, and margarine rendering a flavour similar to sharp cheese. The Vegemite had a smoother and mellower taste. Conclusion: I believe further testing is advised. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/33 "2009-02-15T17:26:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The experiment has been completed. > Results: > The Marmite’s bitter component, mentioned earlier, was noted. However, it blended well with the cheese, muffin, and margarine rendering a flavour similar to sharp cheese. The Vegemite had a smoother and mellower taste. Interesting. I find that UK marmite is silkier and has fewer bitter notes than vegemite. Which brand of marmite did you use? [British](http://www.voiceinthedesert.org.uk/weblog/archives/images/marmite.jpg) or [New Zealand](http://www.silverfernz.com/ProdImages/food/marmitep.jpg)? ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/34 "2009-02-15T17:29:54Z")
I have the British version. Incidentally, I used approximately one teaspoonful of each product. Maybe a little less. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/35 "2009-02-15T17:43:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I have the British version. > > Incidentally, I used approximately one teaspoonful of each product. Maybe a little less. A teaspoon each? :eek: And I thought I laid the Marmite on thick. Amazing. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/36 "2009-02-15T17:52:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > A teaspoon each? :eek: And I thought I laid the Marmite on thick. Amazing. Yes. I’ve just dipped the knife into the Vegemite, obtaining the same amount of stuff I used on the muffin halves. I moved it into a 1 tps measuring spoon and scraped it flat. There was extra on the knife. I looked in the Marmite jar, and it appears I might have used a little more than a level teaspoon. Call it a heaping teaspoon. As a bonus, I got to lick the measuring spoon clean. 😃 ---
**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:** [February 15, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833/37 "2009-02-15T17:55:00Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > As a bonus, I got to lick the measuring spoon clean. 😃 We _must_ meet one day for a yeast extract fest! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegemite/485833.md?page=1)