Vegemite
Every ‘true blue’ Aussie child is brought up on Vegemite! Yes, this dark coloured food paste made from yeast extract is smeared on fresh bread, toast, crackers and crumpets as a snack, breakfast, lunch on the run or when there’s basically nothing else left in the house to eat. It is an acquired taste and repulses those not accustomed to it. Simply watch overseas visitors face screw up their face when tasting this staple spread found in every ‘dinky di’ Australian home. In fact, it is considered a national food and cultural icon.
Vegemite has an interesting history. More than eighty years ago, back in 1922, an Australian leading food technologist was given the challenge of creating a food item from a by-product of the beer-manufacturing process. This by-product, brewers’ yeast, a rich source of vitamins, was developed into a pure vegetable extract spread for use on bread and toast. It has since found its way into many Australian homes and diets as a pantry staple.
Vegemite has a high nutritional value. Prior to World War II it was endorsed by the British Medical Association for its medicinal benefits as a nutritionally balanced food for patients. Soon after, it became very important during World War II. Firstly, it was supplied to the Armed Forces to be included in army rations. Secondly, as a result of the heavy demand by the Armed Forces, the supplies to civilians were rationed with the following message: Vegemite fights with the men up north! If you are one of those who don’t need Vegemite medicinally, then thousands of invalids are asking you to deny yourself of it for the time being. After the war, and the subsequent baby boom, Vegemite was endorsed as an essential source of Vitamin B1, B2 and Niacin for babies and nine out of ten homes had a jar of Vegemite in their pantry. In fact it is one of the world’s richest known sources of the energy giving Vitamin B group.
Ask any Aussie if they have Vegemite at home and they will probably say yes. For eighty years this smooth, black spread has been a part of Australian families for generations and a part of Australian History and this will continue on. So come on, do yourself a favour – if you haven’t tried it give it a go.
