Vegemite, the Aussie spread, is 100 years old on Wednesday (October 25).
Traditionally eaten as a thin layer on a piece of bread, the savoury spread has become a staple of diets down under, and is considered a close cousin of Marmite. On October 25 100 years ago the first jar of Vegemite was produced by chemist Cyril Callister. A century on, Vegemite remains one of the nation's most popular kitchen ingredients.
Addressing the celebration on social media, the Vegemite team wrote: "To all of our family, friends, and supporters – thank you. We couldn’t have made it to 100 without you. Here’s to the next 100, and beyond!"
However, particularly for Brits who visit Australia, the age-old debate remains whether they prefer Vegemite or Marmite.
So what actually is Vegemite, and what's the difference?
What is Vegemite?
Vegemite is a salty dark brown spread made from yeast that is often eaten on bread or added to various recipes. It's considered one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin B.
Inspired by a wartime shortage of Marmite getting shipped to Australia, it was created in 1923 in Melbourne after Fred Walker approached Dr Cyril P Callister to make a spread from brewer's yeast.
Fred Walker later ran a competition asking the Australian public to name the spread, after which the moniker Vegemite was born.
Sold in a glass jar and marketed very similarly to Marmite, it quickly exploded in popularity and has since been identified as one of Australia's most popular foods as well as a staple of the Aussie identity.
Vegemite vs Marmite
According to the Marmite Museum, Marmite entered the UK market in 1902. However, the recipe has links to other foods that go back to the 17th century.
So, Marmite definitely came first. However, a hotly contested debate centres on the differences between Vegemite and its British counterpart. Namely, which one tastes better.
So what is the difference between Vegemite and Marmite?
Both offer a rich source of Vitamin B complex, are consumed in a similar way and have an intense flavour that you either love or hate.
Vegemite, however, contains some different ingredients and has a thicker texture compared with Marmite. It includes added vegetable juice and different additives that contribute to its distinct flavour and texture. The two use different yeast extracts: Marmite uses barley, oat and rye while Vegemite uses wheat and barley. They also contain different amounts of B vitamins.
Is Vegemite better than Marmite?
Both Vegemite and Marmite are an acquired taste. After all, Marmite's tag line is "You either love it or hate it".
Which is considered better will come down to personal preference. However, there's a high chance that many Aussies will side with the spread made down under.
Some Aussies, such as Hugh Jackman, have also tried to help people fall in love with Vegemite in the past. In 2015, the Wolverine actor appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show with a toaster and a jar of Vegemite as he tried to encourage Fallon to fall in love with the spread.
Can you buy Vegemite in the UK?
Shoppers can also get their hands on Marmite and Vegemite in many UK supermarkets. Tesco, for instance, stocks Vegemite for £2.20 a jar. It's also available in Morrisons and Asda, among other retailers.
