Marmite is a British savoury food spread based on yeast extract, invented by the German
scientist Justus von Liebig. It
is made from by-products of beer brewing (lees) and is produced by the British company Unilever. Marmite is a
vegan
source of B vitamins, including supplemental vitamin B12. A traditional method of use is to spread it very
thinly on
buttered toast.
Marmite is a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, salty, powerful flavour and heady aroma. This
distinctive
taste is represented in the marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it." Such is its prominence in
British popular
culture
that Marmite is often used as a metaphor for something that is an acquired taste or polarises opinion. Marmite
is
commonly used as a flavouring, as it is particularly rich in umami due to its very high levels of
glutamate.
The image on the jar shows a marmite, a French term for a large, covered earthenware
or metal cooking pot.
Marmite was
originally supplied in earthenware pots but since the 1920s has been sold in glass jars. Marmite's distinctive
bulbous
jars are supplied to Unilever by the German glass manufacturer Gerresheimer.
For more information, facts and recipies about Marmite,
click
here!