Marmite and Vegemite taste off

[toff]

Welcome back Dylan, missed you, mate! No one else seems to have asked, how did you do with the exams? I presume you passed with the chirpy re-entrance. Hope you did well!

As stated previously, both the mother in law and missus are Aussie, and, just to throw a spanner in the works ( I have mentioned it before), Pro-mite.
Marmite - ( My mate Marmite!), luvverly meaty flavour, with a bit of a bite! Vegemite - still nice, but a bit too salty for my liking - as a taste comparison it's a bit like dark soy sauce on toast. On it's own it's a bit too much, However...beans on toast with vegemite cannot be beaten.
But... to muddy the waters further, the Australian bastardisation that is pro-mite.
If you ever get the chance to buy this, get it. It's like a salty nuts coloured slime, that tastes like meaty vomit with salt ( with extra vomit and salt added!)
It is also, quite weirdly addictive - not in the ' ohh, I have to have some more of that!' way, More of a ' ooh, does it really taste that bad, what if I try it with this...' sort of thing.
It's awful. Thanks for that, Australia.

[Dillzio]

Oh oh, i have an embarrassing admission to make - an admission of mistaken identity.

I just read Toff talking about promite, and I wondered if that's what I had in the cupboard that I was mistaking for marmite . I looked, and it wasn't promite or marmite, it was mightymite, another imposter! So, when I was talking about marmite being like shark repellent, and tasting really strong, I actually meant mightymite.

It appears I'll have to purchase a jar or marmite and join the taste test myself!

Thanks for the welcome-back Toff. Exams and all that went pretty well - I passed anyway. The degree was with UniSA which amounts to little more than a rag-tag technical school, getting consistently good marks seems impossible as then never make it quite clear exactly what they're expecting of us in our assignments, but apparently they're getting better because each time they screwed us over they asked for feedback on how they could do better for next year's class. I had a couple of run-ins with some very stubborn females that refused to acknowledge that their opinions might not the the only correct answer to a scenario, or that the scenarios they presented were entirely unrealistic, but thank god all that is behind me now.

I did have a job working in aged care for 4 months but after that they let me go with the explanation that I wasn't a good fit for the company - probably just as well because it wasn't a good job for a new grad as there was minimal training and guidance, and they were only interested in providing a very limited scope of services that attracted generous government funding. Apparently I was 'wasting' too much time providing healthcare services for the benefit of residents

So, for now at least it appears I'm exactly where I was before I started this latest degree- overeducated, inexperienced and almost unemployable. I'm probably being a bit overly negative, but it is extremely frustrating spending all this time attaining a higher degree just to find there are no jobs around - not in sleepy little Adelaide anyway. Keep your fingers crossed for me, hopefully something good will turn up soon!

[Dillzio]

[iandhunt]

First results!

Doctor #1 has finished taste testing. Max points available to each are 25. I am going to provide a breakdown of the points after the third round!

Vegemite 17 - Marmite 19

Marmite was preferred due to the strength of taste and texture. Vegemite was compared to ball bearing grease and was deemed too salty to enjoy. While both had negatives, the aroma of the Vegemite became the ultimate deciding factor. Round one in the books!

This is still anyone's contest to take!

Ian....

P.S. These results were emailed to me while I am on vacation in Super Cub Land. Photos to come!

[bpj1980]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
How much did they pay you? lol

[renard80]

Ian, I am not at all surprised at the wise doctor's verdict on Marmite's superiority over Vegemite.

Neither am I surprised at the immediate 'poor loser' reaction of bpj1980.

Regrettably, your average Aussie has this immature urge to be top of everything. We in the Motherland blame ourselves for giving them independence before they were ready for it. Over the years, we have foolishly pandered to their teenage tantrums by deliberately losing at cricket, but accepting Vegemite is a bridge too far.

Expect more shrill protests from them as the tests progress. And please convey my congratulations to Doctor #1 for his excellent good taste.

[iandhunt]

Not so fast renard. Just got the latest results in.....Marmite 16 - Vegemite 19. Doctor number 2 has spoken. The second doctor preferred the extremely smooth flavor of Vegemite over the thick flavor of Marmite.

Marmite 35 - Vegemite 36

Round 3 starts Saturday and I will be the final judge.

[renard80]

Regrettably, Ian, many causes can influence the palate at any given time, making the most delicious food taste less than desirable.

Doubtless this is what has happened on this occasion. Doctor #2 may have been on the hooch, or inhaling fumes from some medical product, or using a new toothpaste, or perhaps indulging in nefarious practices with Alaskan wildlife (I understand it can get lonely up there . . . ). All these and a myriad other factors can dull the palate.

In noting that you will be the final arbiter, I am confident that you will choose Marmite. Why? Because it is well-known that those who prefer Marmite have a higher than usual IQ and are wise, witty, rational, all-round good guys, of impeccable taste and discernment. I know you will prove that you fit that bill!

[iandhunt]

Well, the results are finally at hand. (for those who care) I have tasted both Vegemite and Marmite on numerous occasions....with and without butter.....viewed instructional videos, (Thanks Dillzio) and have came to the following conclusion.

First off, let me say this. It was a pleasure experiencing products that stir such strong emotions in two very different countries. I have always had a love of food, (hence my waistline), and have enjoyed numerous "staples" from around the globe.

I have always had a love for both the Aussies and the British. Both of your countries are fantastic as are your people and the United States is fortunate to have you as allies. I worked with the British RAF in Kuwait and was amazed at the work ethic your enlisted soldiers have when it is time to get down to business. I have worked with the Dutch and the French and honestly have to say that those ******* are lazy to say the very least....

Banter aside, here are the results.

RECAP

Round 1. Vegemite 17 - Marmite 19

Comments- The first taste tester said the Vegemite smells like a dirty ocean. The Marmite had more of a "beef" smell that made it seem more edible then the "ball bearing" grease that is Vegemite.

Round 2. Vegemite 36 - Marmite 35

RECAP

Comments- The second taste tester said that choking down the Marmite was one of the least favorite things he has ever done....but Vegemite with butter is actually quite tasty.

Round 3.

RECAP

I tasted both numerous times and different ways.I actually started to enjoy the Vegemite which is unusual since I usually don't prefer salt. The Vegemite had a delightful texture and taste. The Marmite had a HEAVY flavor that I found very flavorful and robust. The after taste was what got to me in the end. I could still taste it long after I had moved on to other things.

Scoring. Vegemite 21 - Marmite 20

FINAL SCORE (out of 75)

Vegemite 57 - Marmite 55

I originally said I would find an appropriate disposal method for the "inferior" product....video tomorrow of Marmite's destruction....

[Crazy Horse]

Ian,

Your Vegemite v MARMITE results I have to declare as being null and void. Nothing else for it old chap.

This is because the "tests" were not conducted under laboratory conditions, were not blind tastings as they should have been and were expected to be. There is also the possibility of bias on some of the "testers" part. As for the two doctors, well everyone knows that no two doctors can agree on anything.

I suspect that the main problem though, is the fact that all of your taste buds have declined in their ability to appreciate a true culinary delight, MARMITE. This may be due in no small part to the problem of 22hr days and your six meals a day requirement.

I do hope that you will treat the jar of the revered MARMITE with great respect and keep it for when you can carry out the correct procedures as applicable to taste tests. The problem is, by that time, the Vegemite will probably have congealed and gone off. ;D Actually, that would not be a problem but a bonus.

Apologies to all for the long post,

I look forward to resuming normal banter and mickey taking as soon as possible.

Happy flying everyone!

[renard80]

Oh dear!

Ian, I had you marked as a true gourmet, an epicure, a man of refined palate and sophisticated taste. Not so, it seems.

It is always chastening to discover that one's idol has feet of clay.

Ah well, my friend, you have rejected Marmite, the ambrosia of the gods, and can return to the dubious delights of your Akutaq.

For the uninitiated, Akutaq is said to be a common food in western Alaska, consisting of whipped animal fat mixed with berries, with optional additions such as fish (!) and sugar. The fat comes from reindeer, moose, walrus, caribou or seal. Great!

An exotic variation is Mouse Akutaq. This is made from roots gathered from mouse holes, where they have been stored by the little rodents. Wonderful!

Sorry, Ian, but Marmite is wasted on such people.

[Crazy Horse]

I bet Ian didn't try MARMITE on Akutaq, when "testing".

[iandhunt]

I tend to get my groceries from supermarkets....not the tundra. I am amazed people lived off the land for so long with literally the bare essentials. I got to watch a whale hunt where they (the village) pulled a whale out of the ocean. Each villager got 90 lbs of whale meat for the winter. I think I would starve in an environment like that. I am apparently too civilized for that style of living. I did make some Alaska low bush cranberry preserves last year. I also prefer reindeer sausage to regular sausage. However....I draw the line there. As for animal fat with berries....if I remember from my WWII re-enacting days zee Germans would issue their troops spiced goose fat to use as a butter substitute....no wonder they lost the war. Well, that and the whole Stalingrad thing.....and Dunkirk.........
I learned from the history books that if you are in a war against England, the the last thing you should ever do is steel their resolve.

[renard80]

May 20, 2013 18:57:51 GMT 1 iandhunt said:

I learned from the history books that if you are in a war against England, the last thing you should ever do is steel their resolve.

Or steal their Marmite! ;D

[bpj1980]

Ok guys i have to say congratulations to Vegemite for pulling through at the last minute, lets not forget Marmite for putting up a great fight but in the end we pulled through, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi,
Sorry CH & renard80 but we got ya this time, lol,
Congrats also needs to go to Ian and his mighty fine taste buds, so whats next? Nice cold VB vs warm English Beer? or how about weather? beaches maybe? lol