We fell in love with marmite during a college semester abroad in the UK, and have kept a jar of it in our kitchen ever since. But just as the brand's "love it or hate it" ad campaign suggests, its strong, savory flavor isn't for everyone. Where do you stand?
Marmite is a yeast extract and was originally a by-product of the beer brewing process. It's a thick, sticky, glossy-brown paste that (admittedly) doesn't necessarily look like something you should be putting in your mouth. It has a salty and deeply umami taste that's very similar to the flavor that comes from deglazing a pan!
The classic way to eat marmite is to spread it very thinly on a piece of toast and eat this as a snack. We also like it in sandwiches or grilled cheese.
Even if you're not a fan of straight-up marmite, it can still be a great ingredient to use in cooking! We can use it in many of the same ways we use soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
A spoonful adds a savory depth to soups and gravies, and it can be thinned out to be used as a glaze for roasted meats. You can also try whisking marmite into salad dressings, mayo, and dipping sauces.
Are you a fan of marmite and its kin? How do you use it in your kitchen?
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(Image: Flickr member mrbill licensed under Creative Commons)
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I've got to go with "hate it", although I've only tried it once... maybe it takes multiple exposures to build up an affinity?
If you are turning a recipe vegetarian, does Marmite work to substitute for bacon drippings, or beef stock, or any other meat-things which add depth to dishes?
I personally hate it, but I feed it to my cats as a treat on a daily basis. The yeast makes their skin not-so-tasty fot fleas (although my cats are indoors only) and reduces hairballs because it clumps the hair together and allows it to easily pass through (many pet companies sell something similar but it is more expensive and less healthy). I usually smear a gob on one of their front legs and they are occupied for the next few minutes. When I take out the jar they now instinctively lick their feet on sight
Sorry I know this post is meant for human consumption, but I couldn't resist
well I was just going to comment that I hate it, but now may hate it less knowing its useful for my kitty! thanks hollie!
We are residents in the US from the UK and our family is equally split. My husband is a Marmite lover and I HATE it but have it in the house as long as he doesn't wave it under my nose. We also have two daughters and one is with him and one with me in the love/hate stakes...I guess that's only fair.
I can't bring myself to actually put it in my mouth, even once, so can't help you Mike D.
i tried it once straight out of the jar and thought it was absolutely disgusting. then i bought a jar to use in a recipe for vegetarian shepherd's pie (which turned out pretty tasty). i've tried it spread verrry thinly on toast a few times now...and i have to say that it's not half bad! i've also been adding it to veggie adaptations of meaty recipes (pot pies, etc) in an attempt to use up the jar.
OMG I LOVE MARMITE. One of my high school teachers had it in her classroom as a gag item (we're American) so I would nibble on it during class. She said the stuff reminded her of the time her dog had ear mites. I'm partial to plain old butter and marmite sandwiches, myself. I also really like soy sauce, miso, and other strongly flavored salty foodstuffs.
Hollie, how did you figure out to feed it to your cats? Mine was licking it from my finger but I didn't think a vitamin B overdose would be good for him. The paw thing sounds freaking adorable.
Lizaboo - yes, marmite is a vegetarian product, and it adds a similar depth of flavor and umami-ness to a dish that you would normally get from cooking with meat. In a recipe that you're looking to modify, start by adding a teaspoon and work your way up. It can be added at any point in the cooking process.
And Hollie, that's a GREAT tip about feeding it to your cats!
Our house is divided, too. My Brit husband loves the stuff, but when I tried it, all I tasted was SaltSaltSalt!
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate It! lol
I LOVE it. To any haters who tried it straight... you're doing it wrong. I would suggest very thin layer on some buttered toast and then spooning some scrambled egg on top of that. Kind of an open-faced egg sandwich. The butter and egg buffer the strength of the Marmite a bit. It makes a lovely warm savory combination.
Love it on toast. Took a few tries for it to take hold!
I buy because I'm a snob, and it reminds me of a summer that I spent in London, but I HATE IT!!! I always buy it, but can never finish the thing. I'll try mixing it in soups, but as a spread....Forget that!
mmm vegemite
i grew up eating it on everything. sandwiches, chicken, crackers, bananas...
its too salty for me now.
I've only had the Australian version: Vegemite. It is very very salty. What I was told by my mom's Australian partner about how to eat it is to spread it on buttered toast, and then scrape half of it off again. He loves it. My mom is not fond of it (can't say she hates it, but would rather eat something else). I'm just OK with it. A little goes a looooonnnnggg way.
I haven't tried adding it to things for the depth of flavor. I can see how that works. Hmmm...intriguing. I'll have to have Mom send me a small jar so I can try that.
I'm a vegemite girl but readily admit it is an acquired taste (from babyhood) and my American husband is not at all keen!
i love marmite a LOT. My favourite use is in veggie soups, on hot buttered toast, on a toasted cheddar and mustard sandwich, on egg sandwiches, and also on the best sandwich ever: marmite, peanut butter, and sliced dill pickles. With toasted bread.
... then again, i also just eat it straight out of the jar. I am classy like that.
i have to do all this furtively and secret-like because my partner cannot stand even the smell of the stuff, let alone the taste. His loss, more for me!
try the marmite that you get in New Zealand (where I live) it's waaaaaay nicer than that sticky English stuff - it's got a texture like Vegemite, but is a little sweeter so doesn't have the gag factor - try it out!
I'm very glad ppl like the cat idea. I work with animals, thats pretty much how I figured it out (from an amazing mentor). I wouldn't worry about giving them too much vitamin b, it is water soluble so you, and your cat, can't suffer from an overdose. I suspect it would be very good for a kitty that gets crystals, as the salt would make him want to drink lots of water
Vegemite all the way baby!!!!!!!!! I send jars to my Aussie friends and family living overseas and my sister in law nearly cried when she opened the box she missed it so much.
LOVE IT!!!
I put it on toast with a couple avocado slices... yummmy!
I also made marmite tuiles with avocado mousse and flaked salmon. I know, I know...
I also like Vegemite, but more for the non-sticky consistency.
Hollie: would it work to make dogs untasty to fleas also?
I like Marmite and Vegemite. I tried Vegemite at YMCA summer camp (we had counselors from all over the world).
This amused my father to no end (I grew up in West Virginia, not really a marmite/vegemite kind of place) and he kept buying me more jars than I could eat! I haven't had any since I was younger but of course now I'm craving a little for my egg bagels.
Love it!
One of the few non-sweet non-fatty spreads on my toast. I guess it tastes familiar for my Japanese soy-source-fed palate.
Taratootie42, the yeast in Marmite does make an animals skin (both cat and dog) less appetizing for fleas (I believe it is the smell) but it is in no way a cure. I would not substitute it for a regular flea treatment, but think of it as a deterrent between flea treatments
Growing up in the UK, Marmite was a staple. I like it spread thinly on lightly buttered crisp bread.
Neither my mum, dad, or two sisters like the stuff, but my American SO quite likes it, too (I was very surprised at this).
In England we have a wheat-based snack called Twiglets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiglets) that tastes of Marmite. I miss these so much!
I'm a Marmite hater - tried it once and I don't need to go there again. My Kiwi husband (a Marmite lover) keeps telling me I need to try eating it again in order to acquire a taste for it. But it seems to me that repeated Marmite exposure is like experimenting with gay sex when you're decidedly straight - if it doesn't win you over after the first time, it's probably just not your thing.
If "multiple exposures to build up an affinity" is what it takes, then I'll never know... the first bite, albeit minimal, was plenty.
Marmite is excellent!!* I'd pick Marmite over my husband any day.
Bovril comes a close second, but suffered a bit of a hit to its image no thanks to the BSE scare of the 90s. Since I grew up on Bovril, all my opinions should now be considered suspect. ;)
(*Unless you're an Antipodean, then it's Vegemite all the way.)