What Does Marmite Taste Like? A Detailed Answer

Your British friend simply loves Marmite. There isn’t a time when he wouldn’t stop adulating Marmite whenever he eats it. You wonder what the fuss is all about and decide to give it a try. You must be wondering, “What does marmite taste like?”. I have this article all about it for you.

Marmite is a brown-colored savory spread made using brewer’s yeast extract. It has a rich, salty, savory flavor comparable to soy sauce’s taste. Its taste is acquired – some may love it while others may hate it. Some also feel a slightly sweet flavor as well in Marmite.

Marmite is a strong testimony to the strength of interculturality: the name ‘Marmite’ is French; a German scientist invented Marmite while he was in England. Interesting enough to get your reading spirit hooked up? Let us find out more about Marmite!

What Is Marmite?

Marmite is a type of savory spread from Britain that is made using brewer’s yeast. Justus von Liebig, a German scientist was behind the invention of Marmite. It is produced by the British company Unilever. Marmite is known as an excellent vegan source of B vitamins. 

Marmite is made of brewer’s yeast (yeast left over in the production of beer), sugar, salt, mineral salt, caramel color, corn maltodextrin, minerals (iron), vitamins (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, B12), herbs and spices. 

Marmite is used as a spread on toast, crackers, and sandwiches. While authentic and original Marmite still comes from Burton upon Trent, England, many similar products have come from other countries.

Vegemite from Australia, Cenovis from Switzerland, and Vitam-R from Germany are products similar to Marmite. Marmite from New Zealand holds the same name but has a different recipe. 

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What Does Marmite Taste Like?

The marmite recipe is aged 113 years old. There has been a divisive opinion about its taste which is why its logo bears the title ‘Love It or Hate It.’ It is time to find out about its taste and decide whether you will love or hate it.

Marmite has a unique taste that is deemed as an acquired taste. It is a dark-brown colored paste that has a strong, yeasty, salty, umami flavor. The taste of Marmite is comparable to that of soy sauce. It has a sticky consistency similar to peanut butter. It also has a mild, sweet flavor which is not so dominant in taste.

Is Marmite Sweet Or Salty?

Sweet-toothed foodies are forbidden here! That is because Marmite might not be your thing to consider. Wonder, why? I will tell you.

Marmite has an incredibly salty flavor complemented by a rich umami taste from yeast and a vegetal flavor from the extracts. Therefore, Marmite has a powerful salty flavor and an intoxicating aroma. A 5-gram serving of marmite comprises166 mg of sodium. Now you know why Marmite is unbelievably salty.

With Marmite around, you can safely keep your salt cellars aside! 

Does Marmite Taste Good?

You now have a fair idea of what Marmite tastes like. What you think about its taste is a matter of preference, and how well you deem it good also depends on you. Let us try to answer this query in a general way.

Marmite has a distinctive flavor profile. It tastes salty and savory that comes with a blend of brewer’s yeast and extracts. You can either love this combination or deem it unfavorable.

Marmite is a favorite among English people who use it to spread over their breakfast food. It may not be the case for all of us. If you are okay with a salty, umami flavor, then Marmite should taste good. 

Does Marmite Taste Like Beef?

Well, this is a tricky question. If you have eaten beef, you know what it tastes like. Beef is a juicy, beefy taste that is quite distinctive. Since beef is high in glutamic acid, it also has a good deal of umami flavor. So, is Marmite anything like beef? Let us see.

Marmite has a salty taste complemented by the umami flavor of yeast extracts. This umami flavor is comparable to that of beef. That said, Marmite doesn’t taste like beef wholly since it has other ingredients, too, which contribute to its flavor profile.

Does Marmite Taste Like Miso?

I am pretty sure you know what miso is. But let me refresh your memory (part of the job *laugh*). Miso is a type of Japanese paste used as a seasoning condiment. It is made of fermented soybean and a mold called koji. So, does marmite taste like miso? Let us find out.

Miso has a salty, savory flavor with a smooth consistency. There are other flavors of miso paste. These varied flavor profiles are due to the differences in ingredients’ usage and fermentation process.

Thus, miso can have sweet, earthy, salty, fruity, and savory flavors. Miso’s salty and savory flavor can be compared to the flavor profile of Marmite. Although miso and Marmite differ in color, they share a sticky, paste-like structure.

Does Marmite Taste Like Vegemite?

If you have been an honest reader, you know by now what Vegemite is. Vegemite is the Australian version of Marmite. So, are both Marmite and vegemite similar in their flavor profiles? We will find out in a minute.

Marmite and vegemite have fundamental differences from each other. The list of ingredients and color are some factors to start with. Vegemite contains brewer’s yeast extract, vegetable extracts, spices, and malt extract. Marmite is brown, while vegemite is a black paste.

So, does marmite taste like vegemite? The answer is a profound no. Marmite has a salty, savory flavor that is milder than vegemite. Vegemite is also salty and savory in taste, but you can experience a hint of bitterness in it. Vegemite has an intense flavor profile than Marmite. 

Is Marmite Good On Toast?

Marmite is a classic sensation for many people. They simply love to pair what they eat with Marmite and go crazy over it. So, does it pair well with toast? Let us find out.

Marmite is a salty, savory spread that can be enjoyed with anything. It can be relished as a dip, along with sandwiches, cashews, chocolates, spaghetti, and bagel pizzas. Marmite is an excellent choice on toast. In fact, Marmite on buttered toast is a favorite breakfast item for many people. 

Does Marmite Taste Umami?

Umami is one of the major tastes that is basically just monosodium glutamate. It is described as a pleasant savory taste that is brothy and meaty. So, does Marmite taste like umami? You will know in a minute.

Marmite indeed has an umami flavor contributed by the yeast extracts. Apart from saltiness, the predominant flavor of Marmite is umami. Hence, Marmite can be considered a food packed with umami flavor and tastes like umami. This is one of the reasons why Marmite is used as a flavoring condiment. 

Does Marmite Taste Like Bovril?

Let us start with Bovril. Bovril is a meaty extract paste made of meat. The meat can be either beef or chicken. It is often compared to that vegemite and Marmite due to its flavor and appearance. How far it is true is what we are going to find out. 

Bovril is based on meat extract, while Marmite is purely vegan. Also, while Marmite is made of only a few ingredients, there are around 19 ingredients in Bovril. Both Bovril and Marmite have a similar consistency, though. So, what about the taste? I am coming to that.

Marmite has a salty, savory taste with a yeasty flavor as well. It has a concentrated flavor and is considered an acquired taste. Bovril has a pleasant taste with mild sweetness and saltiness. It has a strong umami flavor that comes from the essence of beef that is missing in Marmite. 

What Does Marmite Peanut Butter Taste Like?

Marmite Peanut Butter is a tasty condiment from Marmite. It is made using peanuts, peanut oil, yeast extract, vitamins, and antioxidants. It contains no added sugar or other oils. So how about its taste? Let us find out.

Marmite peanut butter is a savory blend of peanut butter and Marmite. It has the umami flavor notes from Marmite, and peanut butter’s salty and savory taste. The dry roasted flavor is beautifully smeared across peanut butter, giving it an intense taste. Marmite beautifully brings out the crunchy taste of peanuts.  

What Does Marmite Yeast Extract Taste Like?

Marmite Yeast Extract….well, is it a product from Marmite? Short answer is no. Marmite Yeast Extract is what we have been talking about so far. Yes, it is simply Marmite.

Marmite Yeast Extract is fondly referred to as Marmite. What does Marmite taste like? Is it something you already know about? Marmite Yeast Extract has a salty, umami flavor distinctive from the yeast extract it is made of. It is also made using B vitamins. 

Does Marmite Taste Like Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast that is sold as a commercial product. It is available in yellow flakes, granules, or powder. It has an unusual taste but yet remains a very popular food.

Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy flavor with a distinctive savory taste. It tastes similar to that cheese and is utilized for adding flavor without using salt or sugar. Marmite has a salty, umami flavor, unlike nutritional yeast. Thus, Marmite doesn’t taste like nutritional yeast, although yeast extract is an ingredient.

Marmite Vs. Vegemite \ What’s The Difference?

We talked about Marmite and Bovril a while ago. Now is the time to compare Marmite with its Australian counterpart, Vegemite. Let us find out how well they match with each other or part their ways!

Both Marmite and vegemite are savory spreads made using brewer’s yeast extract. While other ingredients are common for both spreads, malt extract is used in vegemite. Vegemite has a vegetal flavor due to the usage of onion and celery extracts. 

When it comes to taste, vegemite and Marmite differ from each other. Marmite has a salty, umami flavor with a subtle hint of sweetness. Vegemite has an intense salty, yeasty, umami flavor with a mild bitterness.

Regarding texture and color, Marmite has a burnt color with a thick, dense texture or consistency similar to molasses. Vegemite is richly black in color and has a thick texture similar to that of peanut butter.

Why Do People Love Or Hate Marmite So Much?

‘Love it or hate it’ is the slogan of Marmite, owing to a divisive opinion about its taste. Let us not stir up a debate and find a definite answer to this question. But let us find some points in favor of both the parties – those who love it and those who hate it.

Marmite has a bold flavor to start with. Some enjoy this rich taste on a sandwich, burger, or toast. That is not all. It can be added to stews and onion soups and smeared on chicken before roasting it. It is also a good companion to cheese. 

Some may not like the taste of Marmite because Marmite’s bold flavor might be too much for some people. The intense salty taste stays on the tongue of people. It stays the same even with the addition of honey or other flavoring agents. That said, Marmite is an acquired taste – you may hate it initially but will gradually love its flavor. 

Where Can You Buy Marmite From?

Marmite is available easily in stores in the UK due to its immense popularity. For customers in the USA, Marmite can be bought from supermarkets such as Walmart, Kroger, and Publix. Marmite can also be easily bought online from Amazon and Flipkart.

How To Store Marmite Properly?

Got your marmite bottle, and are you heading to the refrigerator to store it? You are then committing a grave mistake here. Read some of the tips given below on how to store Marmite properly.

• Marmite, even often being opened, need not be refrigerated. It has a good amount of salt, which acts as a natural preservative; thus, you needn’t bother storing it in the refrigerator.
• Refrigerating Marmite causes the marmite paste to become a thick solid that changes its texture. Using it as a spread is impossible once it loses its consistency.
• After opening, Marmite can be stored at room temperature and wouldn’t cause any spoilage.

What Are The Best Ways Of Using And Serving Marmite?

Marmite can be used in a way that suits your taste buds. It is popular on sandwiches, burgers, toast, crumpets, bagels, and crackers. You can also use it to perk up the flavor of whatever you are cooking.

It can be a good addition to stews, soups, spaghetti, and pasta sauces. It is also considered a wonderful accompaniment to cheese. Some even prepare snacks by roasting nuts with Marmite and making chocolate brownies using it. 

While serving Marmite, it is essential to spread it sparingly. It has to be used in small quantities even if you are a fan of it due to its intensely salty flavor.

A paper-thin layer of Marmite would suffice to upgrade the flavor of your bread or sandwich. If you smear a thick layer of it, you might have to throw your sandwich away due to its powerful flavor.

Another best way to serve Marmite is to mix it with butter. The smooth buttery flavor mixes well with the salty taste of Marmite that can be used to dilute its overwhelming flavor. It is also best if you don’t smell Marmite before eating as it has a strong aroma.

Eggs, cheese, meat, seafood, apricots, and marmalades are some foods served with Marmite to best enjoy its taste in dilution. 

Health Benefits Of Marmite

Marmite is not all about giving us a vibrant flavor. It has many health benefits as well. Did you know Marmite was one of the rations served in World War I due to its rich content of vitamins? Read more about the health benefits of Marmite below:

• Marmite is vegetarian, gluten-free, and low in calories. It is a good source of vitamin B3 and can be used to replace vitamin B3 supplements.
• Thiamine in Marmite helps in protecting the nervous system, and iodine helps in the quick absorption of iron.
• It helps enhance the power of the brain and can even help prevent brain-related illnesses such as dementia.
• It helps regulate body temperature and blood pressure and helps the heart’s better functioning.
• Consumption of Marmite by pregnant women helps in preventing birth defects. 
• Mixing Marmite with water and lemon juice is an excellent cure for hangovers.

Not a health benefit per se, but Marmite can repel mosquitoes!

Is Marmite Healthy?

Well, I have blabbered a lot about the health benefits of Marmite. I will not do that again, but I have to tell you if Marmite is healthy or not.

Marmite is an incredibly healthy savory spread that is vegetarian and low in calories. It is gluten-free and a rich source of B vitamins. It has essential vitamins and minerals which provide immense benefits to our bodies. Being a product of yeast, it is environmentally friendly as well. 

Nutritional Content Of Marmite

In a 100-gram serving of Marmite, the following nutritional values are observed:

Final Word

Well, that was a good read on Marmite and its taste, I believe. Marmite is essentially a ‘love it or hate it’ food due to its bold flavor notes. It can be used to boost the flavor of any tasty treat you have. But the taste can be overwhelming for some due to its rich, salty, umami flavor.

If you plan to try Marmite, let me know how it went in the comments section. See you soon with another article on what tastes best for your taste buds!

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