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Not a Happy Little Vegemite

What is Vegemite?

Its name sounds like a type of insect pest that you might find in your garden. Close, but no bananas. It's a thick, dark sandwich spread made from brewer's yeast (the yeast left over from making beer - probably explains the Aussie penchant for the stuff). It's taste is very difficult to describe - someone once said to me that it is like a pint of stout that has been left in the sun for weeks, congealed into a thick, black paste, then given a liberal sprinkling of salt. Sounds appetising doesn't it?

Personally, I love the stuff. Then again, I'm an Aussie, living in Australia, so that's to be expected.

It's great on hot buttered toast or used as a seasoning in soups or stews. Kids and adults in Australia thrive on the stuff and I reckon half the school lunches here would include a vegemite sandwich or two. It's chocked full of Vitamin B and has developed a bit of a reputation as a cure for a hangover. That claim is fairly questionable, but it has no fat and very low in kilojoules (or calories, if you're that way inclined) so that has to make it a good thing. Having said that, I'm sure that things like dirt and sewage have no fat and little in the way of kilojoules as well - two things some people liken the taste of Vegemite to, though I'd be interested to see those people put that one to the test!

The Federal Government here has spent a lot of money putting together a Citizenship Test to put to new arrivals to the country. It's basically a test on Australia and Australian values. I think they could have saved themselves a lot of that moolah by just having some jars of Vegemite handy at Customs. Give each prospective new citizen a spoonful of Vegemite, a teaspoon would be enough. If they don't gag, they're in - simple.

I've spent a bit of time overseas and the trusty jar of Vegemite been a constant companion during these travels. If I feel a little homesick, a scrape of Vegemite on a slice of toast and, when I close my eyes, I feel like I'm back home again. It's also great entertainment value, particularly in the US. Tell them you've got this great Aussie sandwich spread you would like them to try. Give them a taste and wait for the reaction - the most common one is to spit the stuff straight back out and then grab anything to try and wipe out the rest. They'll swear black and blue that you tried to poison them. Priceless! For those brave souls outside of Australia who would like to give it a go, I'm obviously exaggerating.

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