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Question for Aussies/Zealanders
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:10 pm
by FZRDude
What the heck is Vegemite? I understand that it has been a staple of your country for almost 90 years, but what is it?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:21 pm
by sweekster
Straight from Wikipedia...
"Vegemite is a dark brown food paste made from yeast extract, used mainly as a spread on sandwiches, toast and cracker biscuits, as well as a filling of pastries like Cheesymite scroll, in Australia. It is similar to British and New Zealand Marmite and to Swiss Cenovis.
Vegemite is made from leftover brewers' yeast extract, a by-product of beer manufacturing, and various vegetable and spice additives. The taste may be described as salty, slightly bitter, and malty — somewhat similar to the taste of beef bouillon. The texture is smooth and sticky, much like peanut butter. It is not as intensely flavoured as British Marmite and it is less sweet than the New Zealand version of Marmite.
Vegemite is popular with many Australians, who commonly consider it a national food and a cultural icon. It can be found in shops around the world, particularly where there are large populations of Australian expatriates. Vegemite has not been successfully marketed in other countries, apart from New Zealand and to a lesser extent in the United Kingdom, and has failed to catch on in the United States, despite being owned by US food company Kraft Foods. When seen in the United States, the Vegemite label often does not contain the Kraft logo."
Wiki
Some of our members from the region should be able to enlighten us further.
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:26 pm
by FZRDude
So it's a beef cheese whiz??? LOL
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:45 pm
by duke22
What is cheese whiz???
Vegemite spread on toast is the perfect thing to go with your morning cup of tea (another thing you don't seem to have in the US!) and it is used to spice up bland sandwiches in cheap lunch bars. It can also be used in cooking to flavour up stews and the like and no doubt there are plenty of other cooking tips others can share with you.
Fair to say its a bit of an acquired taste but kids are brought up on it in this part of the world. Its supposed to be very good for you, full of vitamins and minerals and stuff. I suspect the association with brewing is why its so popular in Australia and New Zealand -we do a lot of brewing.....
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:55 pm
by Mike_SS
Vegemite spread on toast is the perfect thing
Just having mine now
The original ads for it also coined the phrase "happy little vegemite" which is what I will be when I get my bike going again.
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:57 pm
by stan
it's so very hard to explain, it just lives their in the cupboard, you get it out without thought and spread it on your toast, sometimes even placeing a piece of cheese on top and wack it under the griller........mmmm Vegimite cheese toastie
What it is and what its made from, i don't dare ask, i just let the magic happen
stan
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:14 pm
by YZFRob
duke22 wrote:What is cheese whiz???
Cheese whiz is basically whipped cheese in an aerosol can. Kinda like whipped creme.
Last I heard the US FDA has banned importation of v-mite. My usual sources for it doesnt carry it anymore. Thats the reason they got. Still can get my Crunchie bars and Smarties from there.
Now if they only can carry VB I'll be happy as a kipper on a cracker.
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:45 pm
by spook
You wont like it
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:51 am
by willi
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:19 pm
by kiwi60
