Friday Funny: Finally…. The correct way to eat Vegemite

In recent years when I have come to conferences in the US, I have been bringing a stash of goodies with me.

Usually, this includes Arnott’s Tim Tams and Allen’s Chicos*, which are liked by almost everyone who tries them. And then there is the Aussie Icon, Vegemite.

The reaction I get from most people is one of abject terror, completely horrified when I suggest they try some vegemite. They will tell me how they have seen other Americans try it and that it is horrible, disgusting and compared to vomit.

US TV Hosts try Vegemite for the first time live on-air to celebrate Australia Day (direct link)

The problem is that those people who have tried it (including celebrities and TV show hosts) usually have tried it wrong. Usually very wrong. To quote one of my favourite TV comedies:

Wrong, wrong, brimming over with wrongability – Rimmer, Red Dwarf.

The problem is that Vegemite is very (read VERY) concentrated. Imagine an extremely salty beef and vegetable stock boiled down to a thick paste. Would you eat a spoonful neat? You just can’t spread it thick like peanut butter or Nutella and expect it to taste anything but disgusting.

It was first made as a by-product from another Australian favourite, beer. It is a dark brown food paste made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives developed by Cyril P. Callister in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1922.

Here is another reaction from a recent episode of Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight show:

Jimmy Fallon and Steve Higgins try Vegemite (direct link)

So, finally it takes a famous Australian actor (and X-Man) Hugh Jackman to show Jimmy how to really eat Vegemite:

Hugh Jackman Shows Jimmy How to Really Eat Vegemite (direct link)

Hint: The butter (not margarine) should melt into the hot toast and the vegemite should be spread extremely thinly. If you can’t see the surface of the bread, you have it spread too thick and need to scrape some off.

That little 150g (5oz) jar should last a good 5 to 10 years. You can ignore the use by date. It never goes off and does not need refrigeration.

Go find some Vegemite and enjoy.

David

* While Allen’s is a Nestle brand, it seems they are too embarrassed to include Chicos in the product list.

This article was originally posted on http://www.winthropdc.com/blog.