Marmite is a strongly-flavored, brown sludge that is often spread onto toast. It has a salty flavor, and is popular in the United Kingdom, although its advertising campaign makes it clear that Marmite is a "love it or hate it" product. Learning what goes into Marmite can help you understand this unique food.
Brewer's Yeast
Essentially, Marmite is a by-product of brewer's yeast. Yeast, barm and leaven are the by-products of fermentation, and a German chemist called Liebig discovered that the waste yeast could be made into sludge. The yeast by-products are self-digested, and the resulting paste is rich in protein and has a slightly meaty flavor. Adding salt to the yeast by-product breaks down the yeast cells and forms the concentrated sludge. Marmite is made in Burton-on-Trent in the United Kingdom, using by-products from breweries such as the Bass brewery, which is only a couple of miles away from the Marmite factory. Bass and other breweries in the area actually pay Marmite to remove the waste yeast.
Ingredients
The bulk of Marmite may be made up of brewer's yeast by-product, but there are a few other ingredients that give Marmite its distinctive flavor. Marmite is also made up of salt, vegetable extract, niacin, spices and vitamins B1, B2, B12 and folic acid. The ingredients differ in other areas in the world, such as New Zealand, whose recipe includes sugar, wheat germ extract and caramel coloring. The sugar in the New Zealand recipe removes some of the tanginess and exceptionally strong flavor associated with British Marmite.
Suitable for Vegetarians
Many vegetarians may be aware that isinglass, which is made from the swim bladder of a sturgeon, is used in the beer-brewing process by many companies. This means that many beers are unsuitable for vegetarians. But the yeast extract is removed before the isinglass is added, therefore Marmite is suitable for vegetarians. It is also approved by the Vegetarian Society.
Packaging and Storage
Marmite comes in dark glass jars with a yellow label and yellow lid. The jar is bulb shaped, and you can buy varying sizes, although the jars are generally small. There are also individual-sized pots of Marmite with enough of the product in them for one serving. Marmite can be stored at room temperature, and it can last for a very long time before spoiling. Old Marmite tends to thicken, and becomes less spreadable.
Tags: , , United Kingdom, waste yeast, yeast by-product