Vegemite, Emiliy's Favo(u)rite

While grocery shopping, my visiting sister Emily asked that we pick up some Vegemite to contribute her Australian experience. Before she could dig in, I tried it myself on a ham and cheese croissant with some Vegemite spread (just a teensy little bit as pictured, I've heard horror stories of people trying a spoonful like it's Nutella). It made me feel like an Australian to actually own Vegemite and enjoy eating it!

Unfortunately, Emily ended up hating it...

Curious about the origin of such a unique snack, I perused through Wikipedia's article on Vegemite, and followed the Wiki rabbit hole to something called Marmite. In summary, here is what I learned.

- The product that was to become Marmite was invented in the late 19th century when German scientist discovered that brewer's yeast could be concentrated, bottled and eaten. It began being shipped to Australian in 1919.
- It became named Marmite after the French term for a large, covered earthenware or metal cooking pot which is still pictured on Marmite.

- Vegemite was invented in 1922 following the disruption of British Marmite imports after World War I. A food scientist at Fred Walker & Co named Cyril Callister used autolysis to break down the yeast cells from waste obtained from the Carlton & United brewery.

- British Marmite is more intensely flavoured, and New Zealand Marmite is sweeter.

- The name was picked from a hat (full of suggestions submitted as part of a nationwide contest) by Fred Walker's (remember, the guy whose company commissioned Vegemite) daughter. It was brought the market in 1923,  but failed to to take off.

- When Marmite came back on the Australian market, it began to edge out Vegemite. In response, in 1928 Vegemite changed it's name to Parmite as a spin off/pun to the British Marmite ("If Marmite [Ma/mother might] then Parmite [Pa/father might]"). I think the idea was to use the brand recognition of Marmite, and also make Australia's version sound more manlier. In fact sales worsened till 1938.

- It wasn't till Fred Walker (that same Fred Walker, Co. company owner/commissioner of Vegemite) established Kraft Walker Cheese Co as a joint venture with J.L.Kraft & Bros in 1925, which became wildly popular by 1938, and used Krafts popularity to promote Vegemite (they changed the name back) through massive promotions and giveaways alongside Kraft products that the brand succeeded. I therefore feel that my ham and Kraft Cheese (see picture) croissant was unknowingly appropriate.

- In 1984 it became the first item in Australia to be bought by digitally scanning a product at checkout.
- Today, 22 million jars are produced per year. It's made in Australia at the Kraft plant which is right here in Melbourne!