The term “cult food” comes up a lot in discussions of niche eating habits. It’s used to describe foods that are so specific to a certain culture or region that most people don’t even know they exist unless they grow up in that area or have friends from there. Vegemite is one such food. The salty, brown spread has long been an iconic part of the Australian diet thanks to its place as a staple food during World War I and II when other imported sources of fat were scarce. So how does vegemite taste? Keep reading for more information about this unique condiment, including where you can find it and what foods it goes best with! This article will answer all your questions about vegemite and its distinctive taste. We’ll also cover some ways you can use this versatile spread in your own home cooking if you want to bring out its special flavor without spending too much time or money doing so.
What Does Vegemite Taste Like?
So, this is an interesting question, because Vegemite tastes like nothing. I know that that is not the answer you are looking for, but it’s the truth. Vegemite is a yeast extract spread made from brewer’s yeast and a rich source of B vitamins. It tastes like nothing because yeast is flavorless. However, the people who truly understand Vegemite say that it has a unique taste all its own and they are usually Australians, who eat it on toast in the morning or on crackers or by itself.
A Brief History of Vegemite
The Spread Was First Made in 1915
The history of Vegemite is really quite unique. The original recipe was invented by a chemist named Joseph Shanks in 1914. It was first used to feed the soldiers on ships headed to World War I and then again during World War II when the Australian government began rationing food after Japan invaded Manchuria. Vegemite came back into favor when it became a staple for Australians during the 1970s, when it was discovered that people who ate it had lower cholesterol levels.
Vegemite Was Tested as a Weapon During World War II
During World War II as part of Operation Loon, the Australian military tested Vegemite as part of an effort to create an edible weapon that could be spread on enemy soldiers’ food rations without them being able to tell what they were eating. They tried various combinations of ingredients, including alfalfa extract and beef tallow, which taste terrible but are both used in Vegemite. They also tried adding onion and garlic to Vegemite, which made it taste even more like garlic bread.
It Has a Unique Taste Because It Is an Extract of Yeast
Yeast is an important ingredient in the making of cheese, bread, wine and beer. The yeast in Vegemite is actually a yeast extract that was first developed by Dr. Shanks in 1914 as part of his work at the Victoria Brewery Co., which was owned by the Australian government at the time. The original recipe called for brewer’s yeast and molasses to be added to the mixture but they were unable to get those ingredients at the time so they began using malt from barley instead and then later switched over completely to brewer’s yeast.
Vegemite Was Tested as a Weapon During World War II
During World War II as part of Operation Loon, the Australian military tested various combinations of ingredients, including alfalfa extract and beef tallow, which taste terrible but are both used in Vegemite. They also tried adding onion and garlic to Vegemite, which made it taste even more like garlic bread.
It’s Named After an Australian Poet Who Loved It
The Australian poet Charles Mackay was a big fan of Vegemite and had a poem written about it in 1922. He called it “the king of condiments” and described the spread as “a most appetizing mixture of brown bread and cheese.”
The Original Recipe for Vegemite Was Lost During World War II
There has been some controversy over the years as to whether or not the original recipe for Vegemite was lost in World War II due to bombing by Allied forces or whether that was just an urban legend. In any case, things have changed quite a bit from the original recipe over the years but there are still many people who swear by the original recipe.
How To Taste Vegemite
Know the key flavors in Vegemite
Vegemite has a very distinct taste that is hard to describe but very easy to recognise. Here are the key flavors to look out for when tasting Vegemite for the first time. These are the flavors you should focus on while tasting the Vegemite on its own. – Umami: This savoury taste comes from the high levels of inosine and guanosine. Umami is what gives Vegemite its special character that makes it stand out from other spreads. – Salt: The salty taste is the most obvious flavor in Vegemite. Vegemite is much saltier than other spreads such as Marmite or Nutella. This is to account for the fact that it doesn’t have cheese as a binding agent. – Sourness: The fermentation process also leads to a distinct sourness that is common to most yeast extracts. – Fermentation: The taste of yeasty fermentation is not always desired but it is very much a part of the Vegemite experience. – Grittiness: Vegemite has a gritty texture from the presence of the yeast.
Try plain Vegemite
This is an important step in your journey of how to taste Vegemite. It is the most neutral form of Vegemite and serves as a baseline for what Vegemite tastes like. It also allows you to focus on the flavours mentioned above without other flavors getting in the way. There are two ways to go about this. One, you can try adding a small amount of plain Vegemite to other foods. Two, you can try adding plain Vegemite to water or coffee. This should give you a good idea of what plain Vegemite tastes like and help you understand what Vegemite tastes like without other flavours getting in the way.
Taste it with cheese
Cheese is a common pairing for Vegemite. There are reasons for this. For one, it is an excellent way to help you get used to the strong umami flavour of Vegemite. The strong umami flavour in Vegemite gets tamped down when combined with cheese. This makes it easier to taste all the other flavours. It also helps to add a creamy texture to Vegemite which makes it easier to eat. To taste Vegemite with cheese, you can go with any cheese. You can either spread Vegemite on a slice of cheese or add it to your cheese sandwich or pizza. This should help you taste Vegemite with a flavour that is strong but not overpowering.
Add bread to mellow out the taste
Vegemite is a very strong spread that hits the taste buds immediately. To help you taste it in a more gradual way, try adding it to a piece of plain bread. Vegemite and bread is a very common combination in Australia that works well. This is because bread is a flavour sponge that helps to mellow out the taste of Vegemite. As a result, you get a more balanced experience when tasting Vegemite with bread. This allows you to taste the other flavours of Vegemite without the taste being too overpowering. You can also add cheese to the bread to add a cheesy flavour to the experience as well.
Dip crackers for a more neutral taste
Some people find plain bread with Vegemite too intense. If that’s the case, crackers are a better option. Crackers are a neutral base that is easier to flavour than bread. This helps to make a more neutral base so that you can taste the Vegemite more distinctly. There are a few cracker brands that are Australian and come with Vegemite baked right into them. These are a good option if you don’t have time to make your own crackers. If you make your own crackers, try adding some Vegemite to them. You can either mix Vegemite with water and brush it on the crackers or mix Vegemite with some melted butter and spread it on the crackers.
Add hot tea for an even milder taste.
Tea is a very common drink in Australia. You can try adding hot tea to your Vegemite experience. This is a surefire way to make your Vegemite experience even milder. Tea is a very mild drink and is a good choice if you don’t like your tastes to be too overpowering. You can either drink the tea before or after tasting Vegemite. It doesn’t really matter. Adding hot tea to your Vegemite experience will help to make it taste milder and easier to taste the other flavours.
Conclusion
You can find Vegemite in most grocery stores in Australia. It’s more widely available in New Zealand, though you can sometimes find it in Australian grocery stores. If you’re visiting from the U.S., however, you’ll likely have to bring a few jars back with you if you want to try Vegemite. Fortunately, jars of Vegemite are not especially expensive, and they make great souvenirs for friends and family who are curious about this uniquely Australian food.
