“Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was six foot four and full of muscle
I said, “Do you speak-a my language?”
He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich…” ~ Land Down Under, Men at Work.
A whole two years ago I wrote about our beloved Australian icon ~ Vegemite. (Was it really two years ago? Wow, that time flew by awfully fast!)
How could I write a series of posts about Australian Icons without mentioning it again?
I won’t repeat myself though, you can still read the two year old post as everything I said about Vegemite back then still applies now!
And I still enjoy my Vegemite sandwiches as much now as I did back then. The main point that I really must emphasise about eating Vegemite, be it on a sandwich or on toast, is please do not add too much! It has a very strong flavour, so use sparingly!
Have any of my blogging friends from overseas ever had the opportunity to taste Vegemite?
If you haven’t tasted our famous National Icon, would you try it, if given the opportunity?
You may have heard this Australian “anthem” of sorts before, “Down Under” by Men at Work, as it was released in a number of countries throughout the world back in the early 1980’s. It was also the theme song of the Australia II camp, during Australia’s successful challenge of the Americas Cup in 1983.
Oh, and it was also played by “Men at Work” during the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games, held in Sydney, Australia.
Vegemite is mentioned in this song as well, so go on, have a listen. Does it sound familiar to you?
Post Script ~ After Sybil asked in her comment whether Vegemite is similar to Marmite I made some further investigations. Whilst they are very similar, the taste is different (well, to the palate of an Australian it is!) I have discovered that Vegemite contains malt extract, which is made from barley. Apparently, Marmite (an English product) doesn’t, therefore I will take this one difference in ingredience as confirming that my taste-buds are right!
Another interesting fact, the birth of Vegemite took place in Melbourne, Australia, in 1922. It was first made by the Fred Walker Cheese Company but it took a while to catch on, as Aussies were used eating Marmite on their morning toast. In 1937, Fred Walker decided to promote Vegemite by holding a limerick competition, offering substantial prizes, and from that moment on, the Aussies have been smitten. Fred Walker knew that Australia needed a brand new Australian Icon, obviously! š
The entire story of the history of Vegemite can be found at vegemite.com.au. I’ve even discovered that the old Vegemite advert, which I remember seeing on television as a child, is on You Tube!
Who would have known that there is so much information on the internet about Vegemite? I’m learning so much myself from writing this! š
In My World 
I don’t need to clilck on the video. It’s already rolling around in my head … “Where women glow and men thunder …” My dad always loved Marmite and I “think” they’re similar ?
LikeLike
Marmite is the same type of spread as Vegemite Sybil, but the taste is not exactly the same. Since you asked I have researched even further and have added some more information into the post!
You have confirmed what I suspected, “Land Down Under” is a well known song overseas. š
LikeLike
No, I have never tried vegemite, Joanne, but I have wanted to ever since Men at Work came out with that song! I LOVED them! ā¤
LikeLike
If ever you have the opportunity to try it, you should. You may shriek in horror, as it is quite strong and may be a shock to your taste buds, but at least you could say you did try it and you might even like it! Some people have likened the taste to the sediment that comes out of roasted meat. š
LikeLike
Funny, but after reading this post, I had a dream last night about eating vegemite! In my dream it tasted like burnt garlic. haha ā¤
LikeLike
Hehe, it doesn’t taste like that at all, I promise. š
LikeLike
LOL, that song by Men at Work was extremely popular here in the US. I remembering puzzling over that mysterious word “vegemite” and wondering what it was. I had an Australian pen-pal at the time and she sent me a little sample packet. I was definitely not “enchanted” by the taste! š
LikeLike
I hope you didn’t try a huge dollop of Vegemite as your first taste Karma! It probably is an aquired taste and I’m glad you had the opportunity to try it, at least once. š
LikeLike
Vegemite? No, have never heard about it. I’m usually good to try tasting new foods, perhaps cautiously. Can’t guarantee it will be liked though! It was fun to read about your enthusiasm for this.
LikeLike
I would recommend caution when tasting Vegemite too Kathy, it could shock your taste-buds when you haven’t grown up eating it (as I have). I think it would be one of those foods that are an aquired taste, but well worth trying if you ever have the chance to. š
LikeLike
Joanne, do you like cilantro? I adore cilantro but half the population can hardly stomach it. It’s either an acquired taste or there’s a gene that makes us like it. š
LikeLike
I have to admit, I had to Google cilantro, as I didn’t know what it is, but it’s what we call corainder…. and I love it!! I grow coriander in my garden and hadn’t realised how many people really distlike it (until now!) I love the taste and the smell and use it often. I must have the right genes too Kathy. š
LikeLike
PS My niece is now moving back to Singapore, so the Australian visit is now on a back burner. š¦
LikeLike
She’s moving so soon? That’s no fun… š¦
LikeLike
She never even arrived, Joanne! She and her boyfriend have been visiting New Zealand and now they’re moving back to Singapore. Crazy. How do we keep track of these kids, lol?
LikeLike
New Zealand is so beautiful and a place I will visit one day, if only for the scenery. I’m sorry she didn’t make it to Australia, but she may arrive eventually. Singapore isn’t that far away! You need to keep one of those electronic homing devices on her…. š
LikeLike
Darn right there! It’s hard enough keeping track of Kiah and Chris…
LikeLike