It's Just Kosher and you can Spread it on your Bald Head (Marmite)

Member Name: aefra

Product:	Marmite
Date:	28/09/02 (1375 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for you, Tasty, Vegetarian

Disadvantages: You could hate it

It's strange that something as British as Marmite should be named after a French cooking pot. Perhaps, back in 1902 the originator of this singular spread was attempting to appease the French for the time - way back when - that we borrowed Calais. Some hope, but a nice thought! Although produced all over the world, so British is Marmite that Tony Banks MP recently marked it's 100th birthday with a comment in the House of Commons. Proof positive that it is *ours*.

Often when introducing someone to a new flavour I can say, "Do try it. If it's not to your taste you won't dislike it that much." Not so with Marmite. Marmite has a fiercely independent and savoury taste which will either have you addicted within a short time or pacing the room bent at the waist and uttering "Ugh! Urgh! Urgh! with a trapped expression on your face. The flavour is not going away for a while, so you will just have to be brave. Imagine the flavour of Twiglets then add real depth, and you have it. In fact Marmite is used to flavour various snacks such as pretzels.

There is no doubt though that the addicts are legion. I remember the days when I was a "Hello Girl" for the old GPO in the late 50's/early 60's which meant that breaks from the switchboard were short. Breakfast, therefore, consisted of hot, crusty, thickly buttered bread with a smear of Marmite on the top. The lashings of butter melting on the bread were not half as health damaging as the dripping on alternate days. Our ignorance really was blissful. Perhaps the 5 B vitamins in Marmite made up for the artery clinging beef dripping. Since Marmite has very little fat, masses of protein and includes folic acid, it must have been an unconcious damage limitation exercise. For the slimmer it is worth knowing that all this goodness contains only 8 calories per serving. That should make up for the quarter inch of butter beneath it. In fact this spread
has such properties that it was given to the troops in the first World War to ward off Beri Beri in unaccustomed climes.


Marmite is a thick, shiny brown paste made from yeast extract, salt, vegetable extract and spices, and is 100% vegetarian. In other words, this is a wholly natural product with a flavour which gives the impression of biting back. So do use only a smear of the stuff as a spread. For this reason Marmite jars rarely seem to empty. Fortunately the contents seem to stay fresh forever. If after a lapse of time the paste appears to stiffen, just place the jar in some hot water and away you go again.

I am informed by the Marmite website that, because it is wholly vegetable, their product is accepted as Kosher by all but the most orthodox. It would seem that the heating pipes, although sealed, also serve the Bovril factory, which causes concern to the purists.

What else can this miracle foodstuff be used for? Quite a lot actually. A teaspoonful in a mug with boiling water poured over makes a warming and satisfying beverage on an icy day. When added to stock it adds piquancy to stews, casseroles and shepherd's pie. On toast (soldiers for me) it is a tasty and light filler. It would seem that it goes well with peanut butter, but I find peanut butter repellant by itself let alone with marmite. Considering the strength of flavour, babies (over 6months) like it. A good way, I would have thought, for training their little taste buds away from sweet stuff, with all that means for their teeth. The Marmite people stress that, when taken by pregnant women, 4 slices of bread and Marmite a day contains enough folic acid to prevent spina bifida. There are a host of websites on this magic blend and you will find some interesting recipes therein.

Gentlemen with bald heads have been known in the past to spread this miracle stuff on their heads in high hopes. I happen to like a good head of hair o
n a man, but have also found that those lacking follicles can be devastatingly attractive as well. So it's up to you whether you spread Marmite on your pate or not. Just remember to wash it off.

For such a contraversial foodstuff the sales are phenomenal, and despite the "Hate it" advertisements (or perhaps, cleverly, because of them) it is one of our most popular spreads. The product produced in other countries is often inferior by our standards and also can contain sugar. Vegemite is a pleasant alternative and cheaper, but of a paler flavour.

Researching and writing this op has induced me to up my own intake of "My Marmite" and I shall be stopping off at the bakers soon for a small crusty bloomer. I shall sadly use discretion though, and spread pro-active beneath the Marmite instead of the thick layer of butter in days of yore.

For those of you who have not dared, grit your teeth, close your eyes, dip the very tip of a finger into that waiting jar, and be brave. See it through and you may also become a Marmite addict.

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