However hard we try to explain, no one outside Australia understands our appreciation for this odd, thick, dark brown spread we lovingly put on toast with butter (the key is to use a scant scrape, people!).
But our use of Vegemite doesn't stop there: we use it in spaghetti, with avocado on toast, in cheese scrolls, for beef stews and soups, on grilled cheese and tomato toast (life-changing combo) and even in chocolate for Pete's sake.
Advertisement
The best way to describe good ol' Vegemite is salty and malty, which is what makes it so unique and tasty. Think about it: what makes avo toast delicious? A bit of salt. What brings out the flavour in chocolate? A pinch of salt. What makes you feel better when you're struck down with a stomach bug? Something salty.
Vegemite is a staple in most Australian households, a savoury superstar, if you will -- yet few of us actually know what the heck this stuff is.
Let's take a look at what Vegemite is made from, its history and nutritional profile.
History
Vegemite has a history spanning over 90 years. Back in 1922, cheese maker Fred Walker joined forces with a young chemist to produce a yeast-based savoury spread. Originally called 'Pure Vegetable Extract', after a nation-wide naming competition, Walker's daughter selected the winning name -- Vegemite.
Advertisement
Fast forward to today and Vegemite is 94 years old, and it's become one of the country's most 'Australian' foods. Over 22 million jars are sold and 6,800 tonnes are produced each year -- think of how much toast that would make!
What it's made from
According to the brand, the recipe of Vegemite is relatively unchanged. But what is it really made from, and why is it dark brown?
"The key to Vegemite's loved taste is brewer's yeast," Vegemite said.
This brewer's yeast extract is indeed a by-product of beer manufacture and, along with salt, malt extract from barley, vegetable extract and B vitamins, it's what gives Vegemite its unique flavour.
As accredited practising dietitian Kate Gudorf explained, the yeast extract -- as well as the added malt extract and natural colour from caramel -- is what makes Vegemite dark brown.
"Yeast extract is naturally brown and a natural colour 150d, which is dark brown, is also added," Gudorf told The Huffington Post Australia.
Nutritional benefits
According to Gudorf, Australia's popular breakfast spread is also pretty nutritious.
"Vegemite is an excellent source of B vitamins. In fact, one teaspoon provides half an adult's daily requirements for folate and thiamine," she said.
"The spread is low in energy, with one teaspoon providing less than 50 kilojoules and containing 1.5 grams of protein, no fat and no added sugar."
Vegemite is high in salt however, so it's best not to go eat it by the spoonful (not that that would be particularly delicious, anyway).
"Vegemite does contain added salt with 207mg per teaspoon, so for those with, or at risk of, heart disease this may be an important consideration," Gudorf told HuffPost Australia.
"Many people only use a small scrape of the spread, so its high salt content is unlikely to be a problem."
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown β And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make β even as little as $2 β goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.