It’s not every day that a spread makes it into the lyrics of a world hit. Vegemite succeeded in this. “He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich,” says the Australian anthem “Down Under” by the band Men at Work. The song is a declaration of love to the fifth continent and one of its most iconic foods. Because most “Aussies” are very fond of the black-brown paste, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.
Elsewhere, the enthusiasm tends to cause perplexity. Malty, salty and also a bit bitter, Vegemite sits in the mouth with its thick texture. The specialty belongs to the red continent like kangaroos, the outback or Kylie Minogue. Cyril Percy Callister developed Vegemite in 1922. The beginning wasn’t easy: when it rolled off the assembly line for the first time, it was an absolute flop. Even the head salesman couldn’t stand the smell, let alone the taste.
The Australians have only slowly discovered their love for the spread, which is advertised today with the slogan “Tastes like Australia”. The Fred Walker Company gave a free small jar of Vegemite with every processed cheese they sold. And since the 1930s were also marked by the global economic crisis in Australia, no food was wasted. Another advantage: Vegemite did not have to be refrigerated – and refrigerators only became popular “Down Under” in the 1950s.
The exact recipe of Vegemite is a closely guarded secret. One thing is certain: It is made from yeast that remains after the beer has been brewed. It also contains malt, salt, vegetable extract and a particularly large number of B vitamins.
By 1942, 20 years after its development, the product could be found in most Australian pantries. Today, Australians even take their beloved Vegemite with them on vacation. Politicians also like to have it in their luggage, such as the then Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on a trip to the USA in 2011. He then had to convince the American security officials at the airport that the dark paste was not dangerous goods.
Source: Nachrichten
