Marmite Yeast Extract
japra | Mar 06, 2008 | Comments 11
“Marmite: Delicious spread thinly on toast. Suggested servings of 4g for adults and 2g for children. Made from Yeast–the richest source of B Vitamins.” All photos in this post were taken with my Blackberry Pearl because my Rebel STILL isn’t back from the spa yet.
So I’ve had this little jar of Marmite since last summer. It’s just 125 grams–about the size of a small orange. Unbelievably, this stuff comes in big honkin’ jars. Considering this one has enough yeast extract for just over 31 servings, the larger size seems a bit daunting.
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I bought this jar after having a conversation with one of Roxi’s friends who was visiting from Texas last summer. Though she lives in the States, her mother is British and they visit family here each year. One day over breakfast, she asks if we’ve tried Marmite yet. She told us that she LOVES it and we should get some. Now, I’ve known this girl since she was five years old. She has a sophisticated palate for one so young, which I’ve always admired. But Marmite? Well, okay. When in Rome, right?
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So the following week whilst at my local Waitrose, I linger in the jelly aisle and see the jars of Marmite. Remembering my resolve, I buy the smallest jar, bring it home, and put it away.
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Every now and again, I’d open the cupboard, see the little jar and think, “you know, one of these days I really should try it.” I’d see it and promise–one day soon. Once, I even went so far as to take it out and put it on the table, but somehow, I never got around to opening it up.
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The jar moved with us into our new house and has been residing on my kitchen counter for the last two months. Enough is enough. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to try it.
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The jar is sealed for my protection with a thin plastic collar over the bright yellow lid. Oh, look. Right on the lid is the Nutritional Information. Let’s read that, shall we? No, I’m not procrastinating. Well, not much anyway.
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Marmite Nutritional Information (per 4g serving)
Energy(calories) 9 kcal
Protein 1.5g
Carbs 0.8g
of which sugars trace
Fat trace
of which saturates trace
Fibre 0.1g
Sodium 0.2g
Thiamin 0.23mg (16.6% RDA)
Riboflavin 0.28mg (17.5% RDA)
Niacin 6.4mg (35.6% RDA)
Folic Acid 100µg (50.0% RDA)
Vitamin B12 0.6µg (60.0% RDA)
Okay, so I open the lid and take a whif. At first, it smells like bread when its rising. Definitely a yeasty smell but not really overpowering. I take a second sniff, this time with my eyes closed. It smells like soy sauce. Hmm.
I take a tiny bit and spread it on my lightly toasted Hovis “Best of Both” bread slice. I am not sure how much four grams is, but I’m going with the “thinly spread” directions. The stuff is fairly thick, maybe like a caramel sauce. It’s really dark too, again, like soy sauce.
There it is. On my plate. It looks… not very appetizing. I can always give it to Trudy if I don’t like it, right?
I lean down to smell it. (Actually it’s been sitting here for about 20 minutes now because in the middle of this post I got a grocery delivery and had to put everything away first. No, uh, no, of course I wasn’t procrastinating). It smells like… bread. I take a bite. Oh dear. I spit it out (delicately into a napkin like a lady, of course). I think it burned my tongue.
It’s pretty harsh. Maybe it’s not supposed to be eaten for breakfast? My stomach isn’t quite awake for something like that yet. It extremely salty and tastes like it would be good in a sauce. On reflection, you know what it tastes like? Beef bullion.
So much for my sophisticated palate. Maybe I’ll try again at dinner time.
Hang on, let me see if Trudy will eat it.
See how her tail is wagging? That’s her “I’m not sure” wag. Her ears are pulled back, which means, “I don’t really like this.” I actually offered the bread to her three times. She did take a little nibble on the side without the Marmite spread, but she spat it out too.
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Maybe I’ll grow to like this stuff. I’ve seen Marmite flavored crisps (chips) and savoury biscuits (crackers). Perhaps I should start there. Or maybe try one of the recipes from the Marmite site. Oh look, there’s one for Sausage and Sticky Marmite Onion Butty.
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Have YOU tried Marmite? Am I eating it all wrong?
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
What a great post!!! I must admit, the stuff sounds yummy to me. You used a lot of words of things I like (yeasty, smells like bread, soy sauce, caramel, beef, salty) and the nutritional information sounds pretty good, too.
“I think it burned my tongue.” Hahahahaha!!!
LOL! That’s the same reaction I had when someone got me to try Vegemite. Looks like the same stuff but for people from Australia. I was told exactly like you were to spread it really thin on toast. Well, must be an acquired taste! The gal that had me try it said her nieces and nephews eat it by the spoonful out of the jar. They have both here in Singapore. Thanks for stopping by my site!
Laurie–All right, girl, next time someone from back home comes around, I’ll send you a jar and you can see for yourself ;-)
texasgal–I am pretty sure it would be better used as a seasoning rather than eating it straight out of the jar. It’s so… STRONG tasting.
I accept your challenge and will do a comparable blog post. For purposes of scientific accuracy, I shall borrow my son’s dog. (Don’t tell Cory.)
Oh, yeah! I know this stuff well, having lived on the isle. I never, never got used to it no matter how many times I tried it. It sounds like it should be good (the soy sauce reference and beef bouillion), but it just isn’t. Even now, I can clearly remember the taste and feeling like you’ve burnt your tongue sounds about right!
It’s a British thing, they grow up with it. Just like when I’d tell people over there about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, they thought it sounded like the most disgusting thing on earth. That’s our American thing!
Laurie–Great!!! I think mama DJ is coming around again at the end of April :-)
Alyson–That is so funny about the PB+J. But their peanut butter is… different here.
I wonder how it would be in a marinade or sauce? A little dab could go a long way. Yet it does sound nutritious with all that niacin, etc.
How about doing a post on the peanut butter? Now I’m curious! Mimsy
Mimsy–I was thinking it might be good in a sauce. I made chicken fajitas last night (the flour tortillas too!!) and was tempted to put the Marmite in the marinade. I didn’t do it, but I am going to check out the recipies on the Marmite site.
I’ll work on the PB post just for you!
I remember Vegemite from my Aussie-influenced childhood! Nanay says it tastes hmmm I’m thinking of a euphemism … horrendous? Yes, vegemite and black licorice, found memories…
Hi Aniway–Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!!Well, your mother is an adventurous eater, so I feel justified now. :-)
I used to crave Marmite like oyu wouldn’t believe! It was probably the salt content. I absolutely love marmite and cheddar cheese sandwiches. I can’t imagine not liking it but then again, I wouldn’t be eating it is I imagined eating a “yeast extract” either. We get something in SA called Bovril which I think is really similar but more beefy.