Marmite facts for kids

Marmite is a famous British food spread. It's made from yeast extract, which comes from beer brewing. A German scientist named Justus von Liebig first discovered how to make it. Marmite is produced by a company called Unilever.

This spread is a great vegan source of B vitamins, including vitamin B₁₂. People often spread it very thinly on buttered toast.

Marmite is a dark brown, sticky paste. It has a very strong, salty, and unique taste. Its famous slogan is: "Love it or hate it." This means that people either really like it or really don't! Because of its strong taste, Marmite is often used as a way to describe anything that people have very different opinions about. It's also rich in a flavor called umami, which makes food taste savory and delicious.

The picture on the Marmite jar shows a "marmite." This is a French word for a large cooking pot with a lid. Marmite used to come in these earthenware pots. But since the 1920s, it has been sold in glass jars.

There are other similar products around the world. These include Vegemite from Australia, Cenovis from Switzerland, and Vitam-R from Germany. In New Zealand, a different version of Marmite has been made since 1919. It's the only one sold as Marmite in that part of the world.

The Story of Marmite

The idea for Marmite came about in the late 1800s. The German scientist Justus von Liebig found a way to concentrate brewer's yeast so it could be eaten.

In 1902, the Marmite Food Extract Company started in Burton upon Trent, England. This town was chosen because it had a lot of breweries that could supply the yeast. By 1907, Marmite was so popular that a second factory was built in London.

Around 1912, scientists discovered vitamins. This was great news for Marmite! The spread is full of vitamin B complex. During World War I, many British soldiers were given Marmite as part of their food. This helped them get important vitamins.

In the 1930s, a scientist named Lucy Wills used Marmite to help treat a type of anaemia (a blood condition) in workers in India. She later found that folic acid was the key ingredient. Marmite was also used to help people who were malnourished during a malaria outbreak in Sri Lanka in 1934–35.

Over the years, Marmite has changed owners. In 2000, it became a brand owned by Unilever.

Other Spreads Like Marmite

There are several other yeast extract spreads made in different countries. These are not exactly the same as the original British Marmite.

For example, Vegemite was created in Australia in the early 1920s. This happened because it was hard to get Marmite during World War I. Other similar spreads include Cenovit from Brazil, Vitam-R from Germany, and Cenovis from Switzerland. In the UK, some supermarkets also sell their own versions of yeast extract.

How People Use Marmite

The "squeeze me" version of Marmite

Marmite is usually spread on bread, toast, or crackers. Because its taste is so strong, people often spread it very thinly with butter or margarine.

You can also make a savory hot drink by adding a teaspoon of Marmite to hot water. It's also used to add flavor to casseroles and stews.

Marmite goes very well with cheese. You might find it in a cheese sandwich or on cheese-flavored biscuits. Some places even offer Marmite-flavored crisps or panini.

Some famous chefs have even created special recipes using Marmite. Nigella Lawson has a Marmite spaghetti recipe, and Heston Blumenthal made a Marmite soup. In 2020, Marmite encouraged people to share their own Marmite recipes online. People shared ideas like roast potatoes and even cookies!

In places like Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Marmite is added to rice porridge (congee). There's also a Malaysian dish called Marmite Chicken, where fried chicken pieces are coated in a Marmite sauce.

How Marmite is Made

The exact way Marmite is made is a secret. But generally, yeast extract is made by adding salt to yeast. This makes the yeast cells break down. Then, the dying yeast cells are heated to break them down completely. The thick cell walls are removed to make the spread smooth.

Marmite contains a lot of glutamic acid, which is what gives it its rich, savory umami taste.

Today, Marmite's main ingredients are yeast extract, salt, and extracts from vegetables and spices. Vitamins like riboflavin, folic acid, and Vitamin B₁₂ are also added to make it more nutritious. Adding Vitamin B₁₂ is especially important because it's not naturally found in yeast extract, but it's very important for vegans.

Marmite and Your Health

Marmite is full of B vitamins, including thiamin (B₁), riboflavin (B₂), niacin (B₃), and folic acid (B₉). Vitamin B₁₂ is added to it.

Marmite does have a high amount of salt. However, people usually eat only a small amount at a time.

Storing Marmite

Marmite should be kept in a cool, dark place. You don't need to put it in the fridge. The "best before" date on the jar tells you when the vitamins might start to decrease, not when it becomes unsafe to eat.

Marmite Advertising

Marmite's first advertisements focused on how healthy it was. They called it "The growing up spread you never grow out of." Later, they highlighted its vitamins, saying it would keep your "nerves, brain, and digestion in proper working order."

In the 1980s, TV ads for Marmite featured the song "Low Rider" by the band War. The lyrics were changed to "My Mate, Marmite."

Love it or Hate it!

By the 1990s, Marmite was known for its strong flavor that people either loved or hated. In 1996, Marmite started its famous "Love it or Hate it" campaign. This led to the phrase "Marmite effect" being used for anything that causes strong, divided opinions.

Marmite Around the World

Our Mate – Marmite branded for sale in Australia and New Zealand.

Because there's a different local product called Marmite in New Zealand, the British Marmite is sold as "Our Mate" in Australia and New Zealand.

Denmark

In Denmark, there are rules about selling foods with added vitamins. For a while, the company that imported Marmite wasn't licensed to sell it. This led to some confusion and reports that Marmite was banned. But the Danish authorities later clarified that Marmite wasn't banned. It just needed to be tested and approved like other fortified foods. The issue was fixed in 2016.

Canada

In 2014, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency temporarily stopped the sale of some Marmite. This was because these specific jars were not made for sale in Canada and didn't follow Canadian food rules for added vitamins and minerals. Canadian versions of Marmite are still allowed to be sold.

South Africa

Marmite is also made in South Africa under a special agreement. South Africa also makes a Marmite-flavored cheese spread.

Special Marmite Editions

Limited edition Guinness Marmite

Three types of special Marmite packaging available during 2012

Over the years, Marmite has released many special editions:

• In 2002, a jar was released to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
• In 2007, a limited edition Guinness Marmite was made, using 30% Guinness yeast.
• In 2008, Champagne Marmite was released for Valentine's Day. It had a tiny bit of champagne and a heart-shaped label.
• In 2010, a "super-strength" version called Marmite XO was released. It's aged four times longer than regular Marmite.
• In 2012, a special "Ma'amite" jar was made for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It had a Union Jack design and a crown logo.
• Marmite chocolate has also been available!
• In 2015, a "Summer of Love" edition had a lighter taste.
• In 2019, Marmite Peanut Butter was launched, combining the two flavors.
• In 2022, Marmite Truffle and a chili-flavored "Dynamite" Marmite were released.

See also

• Ambient food
• Cenovis
• Viandox
• Guinness Yeast Extract
• List of spreads
• Lees (fermentation)
• Marmite (New Zealand)
• Nutritional yeast
• Promite
• Twiglets