Apparently the Marmite factory in New Zealand had to close following the earthquake and now there is a shortage of the product, which is different, apparently, to the UK version. Thicker and stronger, I believe.
“An announcement by New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of the black sandwich spread, Marmite, has sparked “marmageddon” fears among Kiwis.”
Before Christmas a different version of the usual UK Marmite came out … I wonder how that compares?
In the 80’s in Australia we became accustomed to Vegemite, though it is but a poor substitute – but I have never tried the New Zealand version: can anyone add to this taste debate?
It’s not the first time Marmite has hit the news. Wiki reports this incident as follows: In Denmark, food safety legislation dictates that foodstuffs which contain added vitamins can only be sold by retailers which have been licensed by the Veterinary and Food Administration. In May 2011, the company which imports the product to Denmark revealed that it wasn’t licensed and had therefore stopped selling the product: this led to widespread but inaccurate reports in the British media that Marmite had been banned by the Danish authorities.
Wiki also tells me this:
April 2012 saw the release of a special edition jar in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. With the product renamed “Ma’amite,” the redesigned label featured a colour scheme based upon the British Union Flag, the Marmite and spoon logo replaced by a gold crown, and a red, rather than yellow, cap. Coinciding with the 110th anniversary of the brand, production was limited to 300 thousand units.”
I bet they’ve already all been sold.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Pseu – As one who has jars of Marmite, Vegemite and Bovril, wholemeal bread and free-range eggs in the fridge, this is a subject particularly close to my heart, but don’t just tell ayone, eh? Send me a tub of Kiwi Vegemite and I’ll let you know. Send me a jar of “Marmite XO” and I may become your pet for as long as it lasts (the jar, that is). 🙂
OZ
We’re not fans of the stuff.
It is (and always has been) available here, not sure where it’s made though, must investigate.
Here’s the Jubilee Ma’amite
Nym, thank you for explaining why Brits can’t get it here in Vikingland. The cost of the licence probably amounts to more than the potential revenue!
And I was intrigued by your description of the Kiwi version – stronger and thicker – some have said that of their rugby players, but not to their faces.
According to this, Vegemite was originally called Pawill.
http://www.historysmiths.com.au/CentFedPlayKit/events/Advance/1923_vegemite.htm
You can decide whether you choose to believe that or not.
I go through stages of eating Marmite. I always have a jar, but it might remain in the cupboard for a long while.
Sipu, I’m with you on this. Very useful for gravy too.
Soutie, thank you for the image…. I haven’t seen it int he shops.
Tush, Janus!
Apparently the XO has been re-released… but I haven’t seen any more, OZ since Christmas– sorry!
Add to the debate? Add to the debate????
Dear Nym, The UK and Australia (well me an Bearsy akshully) went to DefCon 1 over the ‘debate’ some time ago. 🙂
Vegemite is OK if you need something grease a wheel bearing I suppose but when it comes to the malty goodness, only Marmite will do. End of.
As for the ‘Kiwi’ version, are you sure that wasn’t shoe polish?
Maybe I missed that, Ferret? But this is largely aboutt he NZ effort.
Have you tried the New Zealand version of our Marmite? Addicts claim it is better…..
oops. Cross posting. Your second comment came in while I put up no 8
Furry, surely even Marmite is preferable to peanut butter?
Oh naughty Ferret. Vegemite rules! 😆
Ferret: Germany and the United Kingdom stand together on the War of Marmite-Vegemite.
Vegemite is perfect for septics. Watching them eat it is highly entertaining.
Janus: peanut butter, when fresh and made only of ground peanuts, is actually good for use in a number of recipes. Alone it is almost inedible.
No contest – I detest both Marmite and Vegemite equally. 🙂
Nobody ever mentions Promite, my mother-in-law’s favourite spread. Pretty horrible stuff, actually, but I got used to it.
All versions of this stuff seems to be packed with salt, so I’m not keen on any of them. It’s quite horrifying they’ve been feeding this stuff to babies and small children for years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaESxxvCCFk
Christopher – I love Peanut butter – and I add salt!
Araminta – I loved bread and dripping – with loads of salt! I’d probably still love it if I could make ‘real’ dripping….
Bilby – that has to be one of yuckiest adverts ever!
🙂
I know, Boadicea, but it appears to be lodged in my brain (a little Oz souvenir), ready to be trotted out on occasions such as these. 🙂
Oh Yes! Bilby I can understand why it would get lodged in the brain!
I like bread and dripping too, Boadicea, but I go easy on the salt and smother it with pepper. I usually indulge in this about once a year, but it is a real treat. My daughters think it’s quite disgusting.
“Real” dripping just requires a rather large roast, I skim off the fat before making the gravy.
Oop and some of the meat juices of course, which makes it extra tasty.
Being generous to a fault, I thought I would share this catchy little jingle with my fellow Charioteers. 😉
Actually, Marmite AND peanut butter together are rather good in a sarnie!
As for Vegemite, sorry Bearsy, but the Mustelid is absolutely correct! 🙂
FEEG,
You are 2/3rds of the way to a Scooby Snack there.
Four slices of toast, thickly buttered, stacked into one single sarnie.
Cheese on the bottom
Peanut (Crunchy) in the middle
Marmite on the top deck.
Allow the peanut butter time to get good and squidgy from the hot toast, then devour.
All too early in the morning!
A pox on the lot of it.
So, my dear mother-in-law is the only Promite fan in Australia? It must be good stuff as she’s just celebrated her 90th birthday.
Never tried it, Bilby….