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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn its home nation, there seems to be an equal amount of people with Vegemite tattoos as there are people who will gag at the mere thought of it, and when you taste this incredibly powerful extract, you\u2019ll understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As it\u2019s so potent, Vegemite is the kind of thing you need<\/em> to know a bit about before you dig in, as trying too much right off the bat can sour you on it for life, while getting the application just right can instigate an endless culinary romance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, without further ado, let\u2019s pop the infamous yellow cap and do a deep dive on the flavor and composition of Vegemite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking like something between Nutella and the residue left behind after a tire fire, Vegemite is a challenging prospect for diners as soon as they lay eyes on it. Its principal ingredient is brewer\u2019s yeast extract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, that means it\u2019s mostly a byproduct of the beer-brewing process \u2014 An excellent way to reduce waste. Seasoning and concentrated onion, malt, and celery extracts<\/a> add the finishing touches to this controversial treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of nutritional value, it\u2019s jam-packed with B vitamins 1, 2, 3, & 9, and contains quite a bit of protein too \u2014 We\u2019re talking 1.3 grams per teaspoon. But even a teaspoon of Vegemite is far <\/em>too much <\/em>for novice snackers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeast extract is made of partially deconstructed yeast cells \u2014 The cell contents without any of the cell walls. Structurally speaking, you can think of it like egg yolk without the whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s most famously used in Vegemite (and Marmite, but more on this later), it\u2019s a remarkably versatile ingredient found in many foods, including crackers, gravy stock, and various packaged and frozen foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know that lovely umami soy sauce flavor? Well, Vegemite tastes a little like that, but on steroids, with a punchy bitterness on the back that takes many by surprise during their first dance with this dark and dangerous spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also pick up a robust malty-ness that, combined with the vegetable extracts, forms a similar flavor profile to beef bouillon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced pallets may identify a bready undertone derived from the yeast. Others remark on its subtle connections to blue cheese, which also contains lots of yeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Vegemite hits the tongue and shocks your taste buds into action, a powerful sweetness is the most prominent element, but remember, that bitter backend is waiting to sucker punch you once you\u2019re lulled into a false sense of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But perhaps the most consistent aspect of Vegemite\u2019s flavor profile is the saltiness. Although tasting Vegemite is a journey, salt is ever present along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Texture-wise, think peanut butter meets tar. It\u2019s super thick and remarkably hard to spread for a, well\u2026 spread. Heating it can loosen things up a bit, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides taking it easy at first, there are no hard, fast rules to eating Vegemite. As it contains salty, sweet, and<\/em> bitter elements, it shares synergistic relationships with a plethora of different foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, the most common way of consuming Vegemite is on toast with a generous amount of butter. Typically, only a very light layer of Vegemite is applied to the bread, adding a satisfying umami taste to the butter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the longer you eat Vegemite, the more you\u2019ll be able to handle on your toast \u2014 It\u2019s sort of like spice in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it so happens that you enjoy Vegemite on toast, we\u2019d highly recommend throwing some cheese on top and placing it under the grill for a few seconds. See, bread, butter, cheese, and Vegemite are the very best of foodie friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A delight with soft-boiled eggs, it\u2019s a pretty good breakfast spread, but it\u2019s by no means restricted to morning eats. Hearty stews – whether meat or vegetable-based – are a shoo-in for Vegemite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want a quick and immensely satisfying bite, try stirring some into buttered pasta. You can add more than you would on toast in this scenario, as it will be spread across a greater surface area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a dynamite way of kicking the flavor of a bolognese sauce up a few notches, and a cheese sauce is always better with a small teaspoon of Vegemite mixed in as well. Vegemite sandwiches can be divine, but, again, you\u2019ll need to start with a very thin spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, perhaps you\u2019re better off dabbing your bread with Vegemite rather than actually spreading it. What sandwiches, you ask? Well, whatever really \u2014 Bacon, BLT, cheese, tomato, ham, chicken\u2026 you name it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In moderation, Vegemite is indeed healthy. As mentioned earlier, it contains some essential B vitamins and is known to slightly reduce the risk of birth disabilities when pregnant, keep migraines at bay, and reduce cholesterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s even been utilized in alcohol dependency programs! But it\u2019s not all good news from a health standpoint. Vegemite is insanely salty, with one teaspoon containing 5% of your entire day\u2019s allowance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating too much of it can be detrimental to heart health and can negatively impact blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspired by Britain\u2019s very own polarizing spread, Marmite, Vegemite shares a lot in common with its prototype, but there are some<\/em> differences to note. Vegemite is significantly more viscous than Marmite, and it\u2019s darker too, nearing black but not quite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And while there definitely is a bitterness to Marmite, Vegemite\u2019s bitterness is more intense. What\u2019s more, Vegemite is nowhere near as smooth as Marmite, and the addition of vegetable extracts and spices gives it a richer, more full-bodied and nuanced flavor profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also much stickier than the already unfathomably sticky Marmite, so be sure not to drizzle anywhere it’s not supposed to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The health benefits of Vegemite and Marmite diverge too, with Marmite focusing almost exclusively on B12, which is why it\u2019s so popular amongst our vegan friends across the pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vegemite smells a bit like soy sauce, but it\u2019s also distinct. It\u2019s much meatier, with hints of both beef and chicken stock. Some might say there\u2019s a subtle sulfuric note in the scent as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When breaking down the constituent parts of Vegemite in a laboratory environment, it was found to contain cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, a chemical related to what has been described as \u201cold-person smell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t worry, though; your Vegemite won\u2019t smell like your great grandma’s house. The way in which the compounds converge alters their olfactory impact, with some elements becoming completely lost in the process, and this is one of them \u2014 Phew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 98% of Vegemite is sold in Australia. It\u2019s something of a rarity elsewhere in the world, but it can<\/em> be found in the US; you just have to look in the right places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary, Vegemite has a robust umami flavor. It\u2019s as salty as the day is long, with a sweetness on the front end, and a punchy bitterness on the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eat too much in one mouthful, and it will inevitably taste horrific \u2014 Some good advice for those thinking about giving Vegemite a go\u2026 Treat it like a wasabi<\/a> or an English mustard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You wouldn\u2019t gulp down spoonfuls of these incredibly concentrated sauces, and nor should you do so with Vegemite. Try a little with some buttered toast, then take it from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJust What The Heck Is Vegemite Anyway?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Okay, But What Is Yeast Extract?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tasting Vegemite: What To Expect?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Should You Eat Vegemite?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/What-Does-Vegemite-Taste-Like-The-Ultimate-Guide-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIs Vegemite Healthy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Does Vegemite Differ From Marmite?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Does Vegemite Smell Like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can You Buy Vegemite In The US?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n