We’re almost packed for Korea. We’ve remembered to pack the Marmite for Emily.
My friend Penny’s packed and left for France, where she’s staying at Maison Grillou with Kalba, happily exiled from England. She’s remembered to pack the Marmite too. Two jars – large.
What is it about us Brits? We can live abroad for years and years, and learn to do without Proper Tea (very easy for me, that one), baked beans on toast (even easier), and Bird’s custard powder (easier still). But deprive us of our Marmite, and we go into a steady decline. It’s not as if we all like it. Marmite themselves never try to convert anyone in their advertising. They know full well we either love it or loathe it, and there’s no point whatsoever in trying to persuade a Marmite-hater to give it another go.
What is clear though is that you do have to be British to love it. I’ve never spoken to anyone born outside the UK who could understand our love for this peculiar, salty yeast extract, a by-product of the brewing industry.
What’s your take on it? Incredibly, there’s even a board game to help you decide. I don’t need to play. I love it.
Does Birds Eye Custard taste fishy? I prefer simply “Birds Custard”. Keep up the good work. Rambler/ Rotarian David Wells told me of your blog. Derek Jeary
LikeLike
Haha! You’re quite right. Thank you. Duh. And thanks for looking at the blog.
LikeLike
I take Marmite for Jeremy and my can’t do without – Plenty kitchen roll!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kitchen roll? Where’s the fun in that?
LikeLike
I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried Marmite! My husband declares that he’s the exception to the rule, i.e. he’s indifferent to the stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve not TRIED it? You do actually have to. You need an opinion.
LikeLike
Perhaps next time I visit my in-laws 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Haha, we’re about to fly to Spain with only carry-on bags. Him Outdoors panicked briefly (can’t take Marmite in hand luggage of course) until I pointed out that we had plenty stashed away over there already. Another addict. Can’t stand Aussie Vegemite though (and vice versa, according to my Aussie friends).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I quite like Vegemite for a change. Bon viatje!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful trip, by the way! I don’t think it can fail to be the experience of a lifetime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I hope to post (almost) daily pictures.
LikeLike
Yes I love it too but John hates it so I always buy a small jar because it lasts for ages.
Anyway enjoy your travels and pass the marmite around. Never know you might find some new fans!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s strictly for Emily! We’ll be busy trying new dishes. Our last jar of Marmite (and we do eat it regularly) was bought in 2003…….
LikeLike
I love proper tea and Bird’s Custard Powder but, like your friend’s husband, I’m indifferent to Marmite. Are you aware that Margaret Thatcher was addicted to the stuff, preferably on toast and topped with a poached egg? Have a wonderful trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. It almost makes me detest the stuff 😦 . I’ll try to keep the photos coming while we’re away.
LikeLike
I can’t tell you how delighted I am that Marmite Supplies are on the way – my stash is getting dangerously low … It is quite literally the only thing I miss from the UK (custard powder? Nah – real custard, with eggs, thank you!) – and the most difficult thing to explain to a French person 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you can explain it to anybody who wasn’t born with a jar already stashed in the family larder.
LikeLike
I love it too, especially on toast with Anchor butter.
Jamie Oliver has a delicious lamb stew recipe which requires a good spoonful of marmite to be stirred into the dish.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/lamb-recipes/dark-sticky-stew/
And Nigella does a spaghetti with marmite recipe which is possibly a step too far.
https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spaghetti-with-marmite
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. No. Cooking with Marmite is just …. wrong. I really can’t be doing with it. Have a great trip … and don’t break the Marmite jars before you reach your destination.
LikeLike
In my family three of us love Marmite and two loathe it! I love it, especially on soldiers with a soft boiled egg!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes. That’s the perfect winter treat.
LikeLike
Just a deprived Yank, here, who’s never tasted it. I like really salty foods but I have very juvenile tastes–I’d probably hate it. I’m getting vicariously excited for your trip!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re American. You’d hate it. It’s not in your blood. You can’t be more excited than me. 감사합니다
LikeLike
Back at you–whatever it is you said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luckily it was OK. I just said ‘thank you’ 😉
LikeLike
I tried it once, that was enough. Safe travels. I recall traveling to visit my dad when he lived in England and France and bringing all sorts of things he could not get that he missed from ‘home.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. You foreigners just don’t get it. Your loss 😉
LikeLike
I am ashamed to say I have never tried it! I used to quite like Twiglets which are meant to taste marmitey – do they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they do Clare. And there’s no shame in not having tried Marmite, but I’m fairly amazed you’ve not been bamboozled into it at some point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely a ‘love-it’ family here, except for my husband who is indifferent but once in a blue moon will put a little on toast. My kids were weaned on Marmite soldiers and their kids love it too. I have swapped to Natex low salt yeast extract though which is a bit more like Vegemite – sacrilege I know – as it has a slight herby taste. The other day I fancied something both sweet and savoury amd couldn’t think what it was. Before I knew it, I had spread Natex on a rice cake, topped it with peanut butter, then thinly sliced cucumber, all topped off with sliced banana! Surprisingly good and ticked all the boxes 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No no, I can absolutely see that could work. Of such things are family favourites made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sooo glad you get it! Have a great trip, looking forward to your posts – what kind of weather are you expecting? 😊✈️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not so very different from here, I don’t think. A little warmer, and as we arrive, the fag-end of the monsoon season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to like it when I was younger – just spread on a strong cheddar – but have drifted from it in recent decades and can’t say I miss it! What I would miss though would be updates from South Korea though so enjoy yourself and let us know how it goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do – technology permitting. I shan’t miss Marmite either – even on strong Cheddar!
LikeLike
I’ve never had Marmite -but this past makes we want to try it to see whether I love it or hate it. Have a wonderful trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry, Sheryl. You weren’t born to a woman who had it coursing through her veins when she was pregnant with you. You’d hate it 😉 And … thank you!
LikeLike
It’s vegemite for us Aussies but oddly Marmite for our Kiwi ‘brothers’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And unusually, I like both.
LikeLike
Gosh you are unique!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Marmite for your daughter, but you’ve got a myriad of kimchis to try not to mention bulgogi and some tasty tried pollack. That dried fish was the only pregnancy craving I had and luckily for me, a Korean lady brought me back a big bag of it after a visit home!!!
All the best for your trip and have a fabulous time. And, ‘haeng un’ – I think. 😀
LikeLike