Friday night’s gonna be all right! TGIF guys:) Here is this week’s Blogger in the Spotlight (BITS), Abigail King.
England gets given a hard time for its food, particularly by its European cousins. The stainless steel vats of saggy cabbage and unidentifiable veg in schools and hospitals up and down the country don’t help much either. Yet I’m not going to defend roast beef and shepherd’s pie or even Yorkshire puddings and fish ‘n’ chips. I’m going to talk about marmite. According to the label, marmite contains brewers’ yeast extract, the leftover sludge from brewing beer. After a few rounds of filtration, a handful of spice and a top-secret ingredient, marmite is ready to face the world.
Marmite comes in an unmistakable jar, with edges rounded like a teapot, and a sunshine-yellow lid. Inside, the stuff looks like glossy, black treacle with a thick consistency that some people compare to crude oil. Others think that’s unfair on the oil. Spread just right, marmite gives a sharp kick, with a hint of malty sweetness. It’s not to everyone’s taste, as the ad campaign realised when it ran with “Love it or hate it,” but let me state for the blogging record that I LOVE marmite. In fact, I harbour suspicions that many of those who claim to hate it simply don’t know what they’re doing.
There’s a knack to spreading marmite, a technique that transforms the experience from “Holy *^%, I’ve just sustained chemical burns to the roof of my mouth,” to “Mmmm, I never knew that macerated fungus could taste so good. Give me more!” You need toasted bread, buttered while still hot so that the top layer of the bread dissolves (don’t let margarine lead you astray, it won’t work.) Then, holding the knife at a slight angle, smear the thinnest possible layer of marmite across the melting butter. The thinnest possible layer! This isn’t vegemite, this is strong stuff. Complete the culinary delight with a nice mug of hot tea. Traditional English food at its best.
About this weeks Guest writer:
Abigail King is a freelance writer from Britain who’s currently based in Spain. She has a passion for art, science and travel and a background in neuroscience and medicine. She blogs about global travel at Inside the Travel Lab and writes about short trips in Europe for Cheap Weekend Breaks.
Abi’s website: Inside the Travel Lab
Follow abi on twitter: @abigailking
Yum! I like my Marmite on toast or with a good sharp cheddar in a toasted sandwich. The toast has to be cooled but still crisp and the butter 1mm thick – unmelted on the toast – with the Marmite thinly smeared across. Hmmmmmmm – and a mug of strong, hot tea with lots of milk, no sugar. That’s bliss.
hi Lisa! i knew u would like this article. You’re so BRITISH 😛
It sounds like I’ve found my soulmate 😉
Marmite to me is like lemongrass. Both dark and with a strong kick, I LUUUUURVE ’em!
I take marmite on buttered toast, toasted cheese sandwich, prawn/crab/ribs, in hot water & porridge, etc. In fact, I think I’ll go make buttered marmite toast now!! 😀
OMG! u guys! im fighting a loosing battle here. only THULE and ciki do not like marmite.. common ?! LOL
I like this too! But I think it’s more common for us here to put a spoonful of Marmite into our porridge rather than on the toast.
a hearty meal rite?! 😉
I don’t eat Marmite…
high FIVE! LOL
I love Marmite too, a bit of an odd one out in the country of vegemite lovers! 🙂
really! im so amazed that so many Malaysians love marmite! 😉
Marmite reminds me of London. There’s nothing more comforting than toast with butter and marmite and a good hot cup of tea when it is grey and drizzly outside. Marmite costs a bomb in Beijing but I have a jar in my fridge, just for those days.
wa.. so luxurious hor Ming!!! u feast like a queen!
My vote is FOR Marmite. Loves it on toast (but lightly spread) or hot porridge. Yummilicious! 🙂
Hi kenny! make some for me.. i wanna try it again and see if i can take it. It’s been like 10 years since I ate the stuff. I think it must have been my technique. I must have been spreading it wrong – NOT enough BUTTER 😛 LOL
Well, one has to be very sparing with the Marmite – too much and it’s overwhelming.
Also, skip the butter. Go for the Marmite NEAT. 😀
I love Vegemite!
goodie:)
I love Marmite….. I’m a 50’a child. Brovil drink comes in a close 2nd.
lol, I don’t really fancy either:P
I love Marmite and it is far superior to Vegemite, I argue this all the time with Ozzies.
come here and argue with the Malaysians too! LOL 😛
marmite brings back memories of my late grandfather, who used to keep some of it always on the shelf to go with his bread or porridge at breakfast. i guess he learned to like it because he grew up during the british colonial decades. it’s been ages since i had it, but it was always a bit too salty and strong-tasting for me 😀
maybe we got the technique wrong. i too find it too strong tasting coz i never used butter! i think anything diluted in tons of butter should taste OK. haha
My my my, this blog really brings back memories. I grew up on Marmite!!!!
And Vegemite, Bovril and the likes are no comparison to the REAL THING!!!!
At any time, i would have these in my fridge – Marmite, Del Monte Ketchup and SCS butter.
In fact, i am going to make myself a toasted bread now with Marmite.
some serious s*** going on in ur fridge brother b!!
Glad to find so many marmite fans! I can’t find it here in Spain – I have to wait for visitors to smuggle some across. I’ve never tried marmite in porridge, though. That’s tomorrow’s breakfast sorted, then!
Top Tip;
Get some crumpets, butter, marmite and soft cheese (e.g. Philadelphia).
Toast crumpets to your preferred level of crispyness/brownness.
Spread with butter
Spread with marmite
spread with soft cheese.
Eat while still warm.
My all time favourite snack.
Haha Oh my my…. I should get on of those.
Somebody UPS me w/ that!!
Anything that comes or with the beer : count me in. Never tried Marmite, but I will definitely try it! Actually I’m a BIG fan of Marmite sister : VEGEMITE! Yes! It’s the same thing : Love it or Hate it, and I’m probably the only Indonesian crazy about Vegemite on my bread. Reading Abigail blog post has taken me to a dreamy place where I’m sipping a hot tea with warm toast bread and Marmite spread on it.
Thanks for the lovely post!!!
Now I get it… “…smear the thinnest possible layer of marmite across the melting butter.”
So thin, that you don’t taste it anymore, right? LOL
I know these discussions from home… everything can taste good, if you know how to make it right. I would say: if you can’t taste it anymore, what you don’t like… it’s made right! 😉
But to add… great article Abi & a nice try! But I still “hate” it. lol
Good to know it! I still have 2 days left in England to try it. Let me check the supermarket today! 😉
Melvin – I dare you to try marmite on anything and not be able to taste it! Vegemite is a close cousin but it’s not the same. It’s much more forgiving (with a bit less taste) than marmite. Anyone can apply vegemite – there’s definitely a technique that comes with experience for marmite! Travelholica you have been warned!
John the Monkey has the right idea, though I’d replace the soft cheese with extra mature cheddar. Mmmm, can’t wait to get back to the UK.