Vegemite v Marmite

The symbol of all things Australia v its mother empire.

They sent their convicts to a far off land, thinking that it was the ultimate punishment. Fast forward 220 years and it's a holiday destination and the dream home of people all around the world, with its perfect weather, gorgeous landscape, relaxed lifestyle and attractive people (even if I say so myself).

Maybe I'm reading into it too much but that's how I see this battle between the Mighty Mites.

When we first arrived in London, Daniel bought some Marmite and put it in the cupboard. "Vegemite is really expensive here, and I think Marmite is similar," he reasoned. Wrong! I threw a big tantrum at this monstrocity of a yeast spread and eventually it was thrown in the bin.

But I've had a year to cool down so I think it's time to compare this imitation gunk with the original and the best.

HISTORY

Unfortunately after a little research I've learnt that Marmite (the British stuff, not the NZ spread with the same name) was invented before Vegemite. This is not a good start! So it turns out that Vegemite was developed by an Australian scientist in 1923 when the supply of Marmite was cut off during WWI. Vegemite is made from brewer's yeast, and of course beer is another vital icon for Aussie culture.

Marmite has been around since 1902, and the paste also came from breweries. (It's not a beef extract as lots of Aussies think. Maybe they're thinking of Bovril.) I'm absolutely shattered. If we didn't create the vitamin B spread, what do we have? Some nice beaches? Pish posh.

There is also the fact that Vegemite isn't technically Australian-owned anymore. Kraft is owned by American companies now. But let's just ignore that.

The test remains. How different do they look and taste? And which is more nutritious?

APPEARANCE

In Notes from a Small Island Bill Bryson calls Marmite "an edible yeast extract with the visual properties of an industrial lubricant". Neither Vegemite nor Marmite look particularly appetising (unless you've been conditioned to love it since childhood). Vegemite is dark brown, and very thick like tar. Marmite is a lighter colour, more like caramel, a little more runny and much more sticky and stringy.

TASTE

We held a taste-off at lunch today. Two English girls and I tried first of all a portion of Vegemite toast, then a portion of Marmite. They have both grown up eating Marmite but on trying the Vegemite first could not notice difference. When we ate the Marmite we all noticed a significant difference - it had an extra flavour but we couldn't say what it was. For me it was quite a lot sweeter and also possibly saltier.

I always thought vegemite was just salty, but there is in fact a word for its distinctive taste -"umami", a Japanese word meaning savory or yummy. Umami can apply to soy sauce, seaweed broth, and many products containing MSG. Some say this is a human's fifth taste - apart from sweet, sour, salty and bitter.

Both spreads have the same savoury undertaste and aftertaste. You could compare it to that of tasty cheese. (Some people say marmite tastes more like caramel, which is what also makes the colour different. However I'm not sure if they are talking about the British or NZ version.)

NUTRITION

Vegemite has less energy, protein and salt. It contains some B vitamins (Thiamine - B1, Riboflavin - B2, and Niacin - B3) V has more B1 and B2 but M has much more B3. Vegemite lacks Vitamin B-12 which means it's not the best choice for vegetarians. V has around the same amount of folate as M has folic acid. Both are forms of vitamin B9. Strictly speaking I believe Marmite is more nutritious, however it's probably also wise to watch your intake of both due to the high salt content.

USES

Vegemite and Marmite are consumed by Aussies and Poms respectively as a spread for toast (the more hardcore you are the thicker you spread it).

The vitamin B content also apparently makes them good hangover cures. Some say eat a spoonful with water before going to bed, others say have it on bread (so you get the vitamins and the complex carbs). I do like to eat vegemite toast in the morning after a night out drinking.

Brits also use a spoonful of marmite in soups for flavour, bolognaise or shepherd's pie (I don't think anyone uses vegemite for that purpose).

SHELF LIFE

Apparently Marmite goes off pretty quickly, whereas Vegemite kept in a cupboard for years tastes the same as the day you buy it. Having grown up with it I don't find this usual at all.

According to the BBC: "A jar of Vegemite will outlive any human being on the planet, due to its high salt content. This is illustrated particularly when Australian people go through kitchen cupboards that haven't been cleaned for five years... often the only things worth keeping are several jars of Vegemite at various stages of age." - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A195202

Vegemite jars and tubes do have an expiry date, but does anyone take any notice of it?

THE VERDICT

I have read that Native Vegemitians can switch to Marmite quite easily but it's difficult to go the other way. After trying Marmite I think I could eat it regularly, but first I'd have to get over the feeling of it being so very, very wrong. Just doing this investigation has made me feel very un-Australian. I think it's time to throw some prawns on the barbie and have a VB or two.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Maybe Bovril, Promite, NZ Marmite, Aussie Mite, Mightymite...