I recently noticed that the contents of my Bovril jar were becoming dangerously low. So onto my shopping list it went.
At the store I couldn't find it anywhere, but another product was shouting 'Buy me, Buy me!' so loudly that I was compelled to pop a jar into my trolly.
I have only once before bought a jar of Vegemite, and I didn't like it. It tasted like a poor imitation of Marmite mixed with mud, and I found its texture more suited to furniture DIY than the breakfast table.
However, this time I rather liked it. The muddiness seems to have mostly gone, and I now quite like the thick, wood-filler, paste-like texture.
Like most people of my age (and younger) I was brought-up on Marmite and Bovril, they were the stand-by toppings for toast at any time of day.
Just in case you are unaware, both are very salty; Marmite being a Yeast bi-product (from the brewing industry), and Bovril being 'allegedly' made from Beef. Both are strong tasting and are very much an acquired taste; preferably from a very young age.
Marmite is a 'must' in most UK households; there's always a jar somewhere even if its sell-by date was 1987. Bovril is a lot less popular than it used to be, probably on account of the BSE (Mad Cow Disease) outbreak back in the late 1980's. This probably accounts for its absence on the shelves at Sainsbury's (unless it was hidden somewhere).
Vegemite is, like Marmite, a Yeast product, and is also a bi-product of the brewing industry. Marmite is English, and Vegemite is Australian. Marmite dates from 1902, and Vegemite from 1923. They have been global rivals ever since. Most Brits would only ever eat Marmite, whereas the Aussies would only eat Vegemite.
So, how do they compare? Bovril is runny, like runny Honey, and tastes a bit like burned salty Beef. Marmite is firmer and tastes mostly of salt. And Vegemite has the texture of Peanut Butter, and DOES still taste a little bit muddy.
Verdict. Bovril 5/10. Vegemite 6/10. Marmite 8/10.
Doug has Marmite but I have Vegemite because it is available Gluten Free. We are both happy with our choices.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with all three. I just like to annoy the Aussies.
DeleteI've never had Bovril but I like both Marmite and Vegemite. Being a NZ er and not an Aussie I have to back Marmite as being the best. NZ has its own version made by the Sanitarium Company and I'm told, by a kiwi, it has a slightly different taste and is far superior. Frankly I eat whatever version I can find. Or what is brought by visitors.
ReplyDeleteI'm really amused to find you bought Vegemite and use it
Someone once brought a jar of Marmite in Dubai for me. It tasted strange and I thought it must have been counterfeit. But maybe it was the NZ version.
DeleteI'm always amazed at what we end up loving as adults when it was given to us as children. Watching British TV I hear them talking about Brown Sauce. The "toffs" look down on it, evidently. Your spreads sound like you should finish off with a good stout ale. I'm certain Mother didn't serve you that for breakfast though. You have the tastingness (not a real word) taste buds of anyone I've ever known. What fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Lea and Perrins person; not HP. However, my oldest son loves HP so I am obliged to keep some in the house.
DeleteI Love Marmite. I think growing up with it makes you fond of it. I gave it to my boys on fingers of toast when they were toddlers and they love it too. My husband didn't have it as a child and doesn't like it.
ReplyDeleteI remember giving some to a French friend to taste; she almost fainted. She thought I was trying to poison her!
DeleteI like the idea of people being either pro-Marmite or anti-Marmite. It's an idea that can easily transfer to other areas of life. Pro-Brexit v Anti-Brexit, Pro-MAGA v Anti-MAGA. Pro-Cro Magnon v Anti-Cro Magnon. I must admit that I am pro-Marmite.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tasted Vegemite? It's an interesting product. It's worth buying at least ONE JAR in one's life.
DeleteI am pro-Australia and Australians in general but anti-Australian tucker - including koala-burgers, boiled emu eggs, eucalyptus soup and Vegemite on toast. And no - I have never tasted Vegemite and have no plans to do so. If I bought ONE JAR it would sit in our pantry unopened until I expired. I wonder what MY "Best Before" date is? Probably best before October 27th 1983.
DeleteMarmite on toast, Bovril as a hot drink, Vegemite - ugh!
ReplyDeleteAt one place I worked the enterprising catering manager set up a drinks trolley selling hot Bovril drinks at the car park entrance on cold winter days, and made a killing from it!
Yes, a real Winter Warmer. I also love Beef Oxo as a drink (Beef Tea). It warms the cockles.
DeleteI don't like Marmite and especially not Vegemite either. P likes Bovril as a hot drink in winter and I use it to flavour some stews and casseroles and even gravy. Never had it on toast though.
ReplyDeleteVegemite does taste strange after being used to Marmite. I wonder if V would made a nice hot drink?
DeleteI like Marmite in a sandwich with sliced hard boiled egg, or sliced avocado. The Aldi version is my go to these days as it is a bit " runnier", therefore easier to spread and tastes just as good!
ReplyDeleteAldi seem to make their own version of everything. I shall have a look the next time I visit.
DeleteThere is a product called Marmite produced Downunder that bears little resemblance to your Marmite (much to Mr B's disappointment). It's the reason I never ate Marmite in UK - it's like a poor, slightly sweetened imitation of Vegemite - same texture, inferior flavour. I have only recently realized that they are different products; have the same name but clearly not related.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the makers of real Marmite haven't sued. Maybe they simply haven't got the recipe quite right.
DeleteI was going to say exactly what Tiggers Mum just said. When we were living in Oz, we ate Vegemite as it was preferable to the “Marmite” which, I think but might be mistaken, was manufactured in NZ.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of needing to get used to flavours as a child, have you ever tasted American root beer? I think it is vile. Wintergreen is one of the ingredients - which I associate with Sloans Liniment - not to be taken internally.
In 1953 My father did a motoring tour of the USA and Canada. He said that one day they were driving along when they came across a sign saying 'Root Beer', so they stopped to refresh themselves (thinking it was beer). He said the same thing; it was disgusting. They couldn't drink it.
DeleteNi Marmite, ni Vegemite pour moi, j'ai goûté, vraiment non merci. Les goûts et les couleurs ne se d¾iscutent pas. Il y a quelquels "trucs" bizarres que les Anglais adorent.
ReplyDeleteHuguette8
They are both very strange, not nice if you haven't been raised with them. You will find Marmite in 99% of all English homes!
DeleteA spoonful in a soup or stew adds depth of flavor.
ReplyDeleteMultiple uses.
DeleteTerry Pratchett, The Last Continent, “He poked the goo with the stick. It gripped the wood like glue. “Gerroff!” A blob eventually came loose. Rincewind tasted it, gingerly. It was just possible that if you mixed yeasty beer and vegetables together you’d get— No, what you got was salty-tasting beery brown gunk. Odd, though…It was kind of horrible, but nevertheless Rincewind found himself having another taste.”
ReplyDeleteThat's just about it. The 'brown gunk' that we love to hate.
DeleteI like Marmite thinly spread on toast. I don't very often buy it though because it's hard to get the last bit out of the funny shaped jar. In case you are interested. . . . . my mum worked in the canteen at the Marmite factory, five mornings a week. She bought jars of Marmite from the staff shop. As a nipper I didn't like it much, but I do now.
ReplyDeleteWas she aware of the secret recipe? Half price Marmite; what a great perk!
DeleteMarmite girl all the way here, being born in Burton upon Trent in the 50’s weaned and raised on the stuff, gorgeous, but now has added vegetable stock so runnier and lighter in colour, childhood memories of it being almost black in colour and a demon to get out of the container!! I get through a jar every 2-3 months either on toast or in cooking. Glad to hear of a fellow ‘love it’ person. Jan Davies
ReplyDeleteWe have two jars here, and about four in France. We forget that we already have some, so we take more every year!!!
DeleteWe're happy little Vegemites,
ReplyDeleteAs bright as bright can be.
We all enjoy our Vegemite
For Breakfast, Lunch and Tea.
Our mummies say we're growing stronger
Every single week.
Because we love our Vegemite
We all adore our Vegemite
It puts a rose in every cheek.
Now you know why you don't have a rose in your cheek
Tsk no not that one.... the one on your face
I'm actually eating it more often now. I've got to like it more than I did.
DeleteVegemite is banned in some Australian prisons. It masks the smell of drugs, confusing the sniffer dogs.
ReplyDeleteGosh. That's interesting. I imagine that makes it as sought after as the drugs themselves.
DeleteI love English humor. I look for things to send to my grandsons to give them a laugh and ran across this. I recognize that guy from so many things. Maybe you're more ready for the hordes than you think? Humor for you while you eat your black paste.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34mk2F4iff4
I remember that video. I used to know people who spoke like that old farmer. You couldn't understand a word!
DeleteI like both Marmite and Vegemite but not Bovril. My mother was given Marmite on toast for breakfast as a child in an open-air school that she was at in the 1930s, apparently for the vitamin content. I also have Marmite on toast every morning.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I was told that it would make me strong when I was a child. I grew-up to play Club Rugby, so maybe it was true.
DeleteI've never tasted (or even seen) Vegemite, Marmite, or Bovril. I guess they never made the voyage across the pond!
ReplyDeleteIf you never tasted any of them when you were young, you certainly wouldn't like them now. You have to be brought-up with the taste.
DeleteNope. Never had it growing up, never bought it for my family, and when visiting relatives in the UK, none of my Aunties had it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's an English thing?
Very much so! And as Marmite's own advertising claims 'You either love it or hate it'.
DeleteI came to Australia in 1969 and the only things I don't like about it is the heat in summer and Vegemite including the smell other wise coming here was the best thing I ever did. Shirley
ReplyDelete