What is Vegemite?
Vegemite is considered as much a part of Australia's heritage as kangaroos and the Holden cars. It is actually an Australian obsession that has become a unique and loved symbol of the Australian nation.
A Vegemite sandwich to an Australian kid is the equivalent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to an American kid - but the taste is QUITE different!
Vegemite is one of several yeast extract spreads sold in Australia. It is made from leftover brewers' yeast extract (a by-product of beer manufacture) and various vegetable and spice additives. It is very dark reddish-brown, almost black, in color, and one of the richest sources known of Vitamin B. It's thick like peanut butter, it's very salty, and it tastes like - well let's just say that it is an acquired taste!
Australian children are brought up on Vegemite from the time they're babies. It is said that Australians are known to travel all over the world with at least one small jar of Vegemite in their luggage, for fear that they will not be able to find it.
This informaiton was copied directly from: http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/VegemiteHistory.htm
Two things I found especially interesting:
- Vegemite was included in Australian WWII soldier and sailor rations
- Its made from a by-product of another Aussie obsession:BEER! There is quite a strong drinking culture in Australia... heavy drinking, not just social drinking. I found it interesting that they can kill two birds with one stone when making Beer and Sandwich Spread!
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