Living in the UK and tasting British cuisine: Friends who have lived in the UK or Australia will surely be familiar with this product. The famous Marmite yeast extract, you either love it or hate it; there is no middle ground like with other foods.
In fact, Marmite is very nutritious, especially rich in vitamin B. It also contains folic acid, making it suitable for pregnant women—provided that the taste does not make you nauseous.
In the late 19th century, a German scientist discovered that the byproducts of beer fermentation could be concentrated, extracted, and consumed, leading to the creation of the great Marmite. In 1902, the Marmite Food Company was established in Staffordshire, England, and Marmite was launched as its main product.
Marmite comes from the French word for a large pot. Therefore, you can see a pot as its logo on the packaging, although the pot does not look very large; it resembles a small casserole...
During World War I and World War II, tons of Marmite were sent to the front lines. The British government believed that this yeast extract could help soldiers prevent diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as beriberi...
With the expansion of British colonial power, Marmite was brought to various parts of the world, and today it thrives in Commonwealth countries, with New Zealand being a notable example. The popularity of Marmite in New Zealand gives the impression that all Marmite enthusiasts have migrated there; however, the formulation and production process of New Zealand's Marmite differ somewhat from that of the UK. New Zealand's Marmite is darker in color, while the UK version is saltier; in terms of nutritional content, the UK Marmite contains more calories, protein, and vitamin B, while New Zealand's contains iron.
The earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2011 caused a temporary halt in Marmite production. Following the announcement, people rushed to supermarkets to stock up, leading to headlines around the world declaring a "Marmite crisis in New Zealand."
Such a famous product cannot be limited to just the UK and New Zealand; although Marmite has maintained its traditional flavor, it occasionally releases limited edition new flavors.
