National Museum of Australia - Vegemite (2024)

FAQs

What country is mad about Vegemite? ›

This spread made from brewer's yeast became a distinctively 'Australian food' despite being owned by an American company for several decades. Vegemite is carried around the world by Australians as a way to reaffirm their connection to home.

In the 1920s, Callister was employed by Fred Walker & Co to create a yeast extract, as imports of Marmite from the UK had been disrupted in the aftermath of World War I. He experimented with brewer's yeast and independently developed what would later be called Vegemite.

Vegemite was tops for 27 per cent of the 2297 people surveyed between December 27 and January 10, just ahead of the meat pie, at 26 per cent and lamb roast that was third on 21 per cent. Chef Colin Fassnidge said a love of Vegemite seemed to be part of the DNA of Australians.

Parwill failed to gain momentum across the country. It would take Fred Walker 14 years of perseverance and a change back to the original VEGEMITE brand for Australians to embrace what would later become an Australian icon.

The United States Customs and Border Protection tried to dispel the rumour, stating on its website that "there is no known prohibition on the importation of Vegemite" and "there is no official policy within CBP targeting Vegemite for interception". The story of the "ban" later took on the status of urban legend.

Vegemite has a strong, salty, meaty-rich flavor (although there is no meat or meat byproduct in it). The flavor could be compared to a very intense tamari or soy sauce.

There's a reason millions of jars of VEGEMITE spread are sold every year and it's because there's no other concentrated spread out there so full of Vitamin B and nutrients, so pleasing to the palate and so intrinsically linked with Australia's past and future as the VEGEMITE brand is.

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.

With few calories and no sugar or fat, Vegemite has no direct effect on blood sugar levels, making it, overall, a healthy dietary supplement.

Is Vegemite Banned in the USA and Canada? No Vegemite is not banned in the US or Canada and is allowed to be purchased.

Does Vegemite need to be refrigerated? ›

And according to their website (www.vegemite.com.au), Vegemite is a shelf stable product that can be stored in the cupboard or pantry after opening right up until the best before date. So keep it away from the fridge and rest easy that your Vegemite is safe in the pantry!

VEGEMITE is a shelf stable product and once opened can be stored in the cupboard or pantry right up until the best before date.

VEGEMITE was sold in a two ounce (57g) amber glass jar, capped with what was known as a Phoenix seal, to keep the contents fresh and described as 'Pure Vegetable Extract' – delicious on sandwiches and toast, and as improving the flavour of soups, stews and gravies.

In the early 1910's Marmite tried to spread to many different area's. Marmite Incorporated in America called it Vegex (America always had this habit of using different names for UK items). They brought out cubes as well as the spread.

Vegemite has been manufactured at the Melbourne factory since 1923, but the brand came to Bega in 2017 as part of its deal to buy the spread and other local grocery products from Mondelez International, which was previously called Kraft Foods. Bega put the plant on the market in May 2022.

VEGEMITE continues to be Australia's most popular yeast spread* with more than 22 million jars of VEGEMITE manufactured every year. Australians spread about 1.2 billion serves of VEGEMITE on toast, bread or biscuits every year. If this was all placed end to end, it would go around the world three times.

New Zealanders may sometimes disparage things Australian, but they love Vegemite. This dark brown, yeast-based spread was developed in Australia in 1923 as a local product when Marmite, imported from England, was in short supply.

Events. 8 February – Billy Hughes resigns as Prime Minister, after the Country Party refuses to govern in coalition with him as the leader of the Nationalist Party. Hughes is succeeded by his Treasurer, Stanley Bruce. 25 April – The first Anzac Day dawn service is held in Albany, Western Australia.

It's now a symbol of Australia that's spread onto toast, added to curries and even churned into ice-cream. Vegemite has inspired national pride – and outrage – since its invention a century ago in Melbourne.