Vegemite is the devil. I used to work with a rather colorful English girl who tried to get me to eat it. Blech. How people can swallow that on a daily basis is beyond me.
I lived in Australia for a semester... and tried Vegemite once. It's too funny when unsuspecting tourists would slather a TON of it on bread. You're only supposed to put a teeny tiny bit. And even that was too much for me.
Many years ago, when I was a PR consultant for Australian products in the US, I took on the impossible task of promoting Vegemite to the Yanks (Vegemite-flavored meatloaf, anyone?). Gary's experiment with the Interns is an example of how successful that was. So glad his books went down better.
And, if you're reading this Gary, good luck from one "happy little Vegemite" to another. (That's an insider Aussie reference).
Most non-Aussies who complain about vegemite have tasted it by sticking a spoon in it. The only way to eat it is on a piece of hot, slightly darkened toast with lashings of margarine and - here's the crunch - a little bit of vegemite, only a little.
I once was proposed to because I possessed a jar of Vegemite. I kid you not. I was hiking deep in the Andes when a fellow Aussie discovered I had a stash, and before I knew it he was on one knee, willing to declare his undyinglove for me if I just handed over the Vegemite. End result: I kept the Vegemite.
BTW, the English have Marmite - a slightly sweeter version of Vegemite.
Call me crazy here, but I love Vegemite, and I'm Canadian. I worked for Four Ex/ Castelmaine Perkins when I lived in Oz and I even know that it is made from the left over yeast from brewing beer. I still love it. That and Tim Tams and port.
I guess Americans just aren't happy little Vegemites (check Youtube for birthofanovel's reference). My father used to eat Vegemite with a spoon straight out of the jar; those of you who've tried it will understand the implications of that.
It's all a matter of cultural taste, but I confess I enjoy watching the reactions of people to a taste.
My last comment was poorly written. This is what happens when you're on a severe sleep deficit (which I still am because I'm trying to beat the jet lag in one go...)
Literary Cowgirl, you're the second person to mention Tim Tams. Maybe I should try to get some to the next Bouchercon. But how do I stop them melting on the way?
I live in Oregon, and I saw Tim Tams in my local grocery store last week, made by Pepperide Farm. I think. At my advanced age, everything blurs together. :-) I've heard many people wax rhapsodic about Tim Tams. What are your thoughts?
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Vegemite is the devil. I used to work with a rather colorful English girl who tried to get me to eat it. Blech. How people can swallow that on a daily basis is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was an exchange student in Australia twenty years ago. Vegemite sandwiches definitely need a generous spread of butter to make them tasty.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I read this yesterday :). It's very cool to put faces to some of your Godsends (even if they are full of vegemite)!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite bit of that post was when Gary said he suggested posting photos of your offices and you and Peter Rubie recoiled in horror.
ReplyDeleteI still want to try vegemite though. Call me crazy if you must.
I use vegemite for axle and ball-bearing grease on cars, boat trailer wheels and riding lawn mowers!
ReplyDeleteHaste yee back ;-)
Vitameatavegamin.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Pugh. Splach.
No wonder all those Aussies are a little rough around the edges and guzzling gallons of beer.
I lived in Australia for a semester... and tried Vegemite once. It's too funny when unsuspecting tourists would slather a TON of it on bread. You're only supposed to put a teeny tiny bit. And even that was too much for me.
ReplyDeleteAll Aussies take vegemite when travelling ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's surely no worse than peanut butter and jam sandwiches? :P
Vegemite is Soylent Green. Make no mistake about it. Blech.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, when I was a PR consultant for Australian products in the US, I took on the impossible task of promoting Vegemite to the Yanks (Vegemite-flavored meatloaf, anyone?).
ReplyDeleteGary's experiment with the Interns is an example of how successful that was. So glad his books went down better.
And, if you're reading this Gary, good luck from one "happy little Vegemite" to another. (That's an insider Aussie reference).
Sharen
Now I know what Men at Work were saying, NOT "gave me a bite of my sandwich"
ReplyDeleteMost non-Aussies who complain about vegemite have tasted it by sticking a spoon in it. The only way to eat it is on a piece of hot, slightly darkened toast with lashings of margarine and - here's the crunch - a little bit of vegemite, only a little.
ReplyDeleteOnce you do that, then you'll understand.
How does Vegemite go with Spam? (The kind in cans, not computers...)
ReplyDeleteI once was proposed to because I possessed a jar of Vegemite. I kid you not. I was hiking deep in the Andes when a fellow Aussie discovered I had a stash, and before I knew it he was on one knee, willing to declare his undyinglove for me if I just handed over the Vegemite. End result: I kept the Vegemite.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the English have Marmite - a slightly sweeter version of Vegemite.
Call me crazy here, but I love Vegemite, and I'm Canadian. I worked for Four Ex/ Castelmaine Perkins when I lived in Oz and I even know that it is made from the left over yeast from brewing beer. I still love it. That and Tim Tams and port.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys,
ReplyDeleteI guess Americans just aren't happy little Vegemites (check Youtube for birthofanovel's reference). My father used to eat Vegemite with a spoon straight out of the jar; those of you who've tried it will understand the implications of that.
It's all a matter of cultural taste, but I confess I enjoy watching the reactions of people to a taste.
My last comment was poorly written. This is what happens when you're on a severe sleep deficit (which I still am because I'm trying to beat the jet lag in one go...)
ReplyDeleteLiterary Cowgirl, you're the second person to mention Tim Tams. Maybe I should try to get some to the next Bouchercon. But how do I stop them melting on the way?
Gary -
ReplyDeleteI live in Oregon, and I saw Tim Tams in my local grocery store last week, made by Pepperide Farm. I think. At my advanced age, everything blurs together. :-) I've heard many people wax rhapsodic about Tim Tams. What are your thoughts?
Julie
I tried Vegemite ... once! Can you say ewwww?
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteTim Tams are like crack for chocolate biscuit lovers.
You have been warned!
Gary
Aaaaaw. Look at your Godsends! It's so nice to see them.
ReplyDelete