The clash of vegemite vs marmite is not new, and there are many similarities and differences between the two. Since both the items are yeast extracts, there’s a popular notion that they taste the same. But the reality is that the two vary from each other to quite some extent. Now, it is for you to decide the winner between the tussle of marmite v vegemite. To know more about what is the difference between marmite and vegemite, read on:
What is Vegemite made of ?
Vegemite hails from Australia; however, it is now available in the UK and some other selected countries. Cyril Percy Callister, a chemist from Melbourne, developed this black paste in 1919 as a substitute for marmite due to its disrupted import during World War I. But there was one more reason that leads to the creation of this amazing condiment. Australian beer breweries used good amounts of yeast, and the discarded leftover was used to develop this item to avoid wastage.
Australian Vegemite is made by blending yeast with onion, salt, and celery extracts. All these ingredients impart a ‘vegetable’ flavor and characteristic to this black spread with a thick consistency. Added flavors like spices and vegetables add the extra zing. Different kinds of additives and food coloring are added. It can be abundantly used on toasts, sandwiches, crackers, and similar food items and is also used for pastry fillings.
What is Marmite made of ?
Popularly known as British marmite, keeping its UK origin is distinct. German scientist Justus von Liebig invented marmite in the late 1800s. He researched and discovered that leftover brewers’ yeast could be consumed in concentrated form. As per statistics, the British love the item so much that they even carry it while traveling to other countries. Marmite XO, which is an older version of the authentic item, is also available.
It is a dark brown, rich paste that can be applied on simple bread, hot toasted bread, wafer biscuits, etc. It can also be used in any hot drink and makes excellent sandwich filling. People who love marmite can consume it with anything. Due to the dense, salty flavor, it is generally used in little quantity. When you are looking for a good source of vitamin B complex, there is nothing better than spreading this on your daily bread.
What does Vegemite taste like ?
Australian vegemite has a very distinct taste. It is salty with a hint of bitterness in it. There is a strong and prominent yeasty flavor along with an essence of umami (it brings a slightly meaty flavor to food). Due to the strong flavors, using a small quantity is enough. While some people find its smell and aftertaste unappealing, others swear by it.
What does Marmite taste like ?
Like Vegemite, marmite is also salty, which is perfectly balanced with little sweetness. The appearance and texture of this spread are silky and smooth and consistency thick and kind of sticky. Due to its sweet and salty taste, this paste is used in different ways – as spreads and also in drinks and desserts.
By TheJackal, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
The Battle: Vegemite vs Marmite
The primary difference between marmite and vegemite lies in their origin — while the former is dedicatedly British, the latter is its Australian cousin. Although both are made from yeast extracts, there is a major variance in some of the key ingredients. While the yeast extract in vegemite is from wheat and barley, it is from wheat, barley, rye, and oats in marmite. The former has malt extract and abounds in vitamin B1 and B2. Marmite, on the other hand, has vegetable juice concentrate and is rich in has vitamin B12 and vitamin B3. However, both have salt, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folic acid.
It is very difficult to declare a clear winner in the battle of marmite v vegemite. Both the spreads have individual distinct characteristics and attributes, tastes, flavors, and usage styles. In fact, there are people who have tried both the varieties and then selected one of them as per their taste, likings, and preferences.
By AZAdam / Adam, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
There could be a possibility that you have grown up eating either of the two and have not tried the other variety at all. In such a situation, you will not be able to make out the dissimilarities between the two pastes. But if you are a complete newbie to both the items and can’t decide which one to try, it is recommended to start with a little amount of both as spreads on bread, toast, sandwiches, or wafers.
This will give you an idea of the tastes and flavors, and you can choose which variety suits your taste buds. Various kinds of polls have been arranged for vegemite vs marmite, and the results have always been very close, with one outdoing the other with minimal numbers of votes. If you are up for some yummy spread, do give both a try and let us know of your favorite variant!
