Vegemite is considered as much a part of Australia's heritage as kangaroos and the Holden cars. It is actually an Australian obsession that has become a unique and loved symbol of the Australian nation.

A Vegemite sandwich to an Australian kid is the equivalent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to an American kid - but the taste is QUITE different!

Vegemite is one of several yeast extract spreads sold in Australia. It is made from leftover brewers' yeast extract (a by-product of beer manufacture) and various vegetable and spice additives. It is very dark brown, almost black, in colour, and one of the richest sources known of Vitamin B. It's thick like peanut butter, it's very salty, and it tastes like wonderful, however non aussies say it's an acquired taste.

Australian children are brought up on Vegemite from the time they're babies. It is said that Australians are known to travel all over the world with at least one small jar of Vegemite in their luggage (took several to America), for fear that they will not be able to find it.

  • 22.7 million jars of Vegemite are manufactured in Australia every year - that's 235 jars per minute.
  • 30 jars are sold in Australia for every one exported.
  • Vegemite is in nine out of ten pantries in Australia.

The Happy Little Vegemite Song

We are happy little Vegemites as bright as bright can be,
We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea, (tea is supper)
Our mummy says we're growing stronger every single week,
Because we love our Vegemite,
We all adore our Vegemite,
It puts a rose in every cheek!

The initial concept of Vegemite was invented by Fred Walker at his food processing plant in 1923. He later sold this business to Kraft and passed on the secret recipe. It is now the most popular spread in Australia.)

Australians love Vegemite Yeast Extract… it is part of Australia's history and has become a unique and loved symbol of our nation. This strange looking black spread, made by blending brewer's yeasts, is one of the richest known sources of B complex vitamins. Australians traditionally use Vegemite Yeast Extract spread thinly on buttered toast, sandwiches and biscuits.

Ingredients: Yeast extract, salt, mineral salt, (508, 509) malt extract, natural colour, (150) vegetable extract, thiamine), riboflavin, niacin.

5g of this food contains

Vitamin B 0.55mg

Riboflavin ).80mh'Niacin 5.5mg, which are

half the average daily allowances

- - -