For my good friend @scribbler68 who is even more fanatical about the stuff than I am.

 

Marmite. An iconic addition to our store cupboards and a fabulous way to start the day – marmite on toast, thickly spread. Even the pot it comes in is unique – named and styled after the squat, squashed French cooking pot that is featured on its label.

 

First we had the My Mate Marmite campaign. Then what a stroke of genius it was for Unilever to create the Love It/Hate It advertising for Marmite. Bold. Clever. Inspired. Particularly because their survey showed that more people hated than liked it. What Unilever counted on, however, was that those who loved it really loved it.

 

Because you either do love or hate it. And why wouldn’t you? It has a distinctive taste. However, I am of the opinion that everyone should have a bottle in their cupboard. It is natural; it is made from brewer’s yeast. It is vegetarian. It is rich in B vitamins, bioflavin, niacin and folic acid. It is low in fat and sugar. It has a sprinkling of herbs in it. Ergo it is good for you.

 

Historically, it has an impressive pedigree. It was a constituent of a soldier’s ration pack during the first world war. Tasty and nutritious, it was ideal because of its portability. It was used to treat cases of malnutrition in the malaria epidemic in Sri Lranka in the 30s. And, on a personal note, it was one of the “luxuries” I took with me when I went to live and study in Russia for 6 months. What is more, there were enough Marmite lovers amongst the British students for that first pot to disappear alarmingly fast. Whilst there, about half way through our stay, we were told by the British Consulate that a representative was coming out to meet  us. He would bring one item for each of us with him. What did I want? You’ve guessed it. Mine was the largest jar of Marmite he could find.

 

Marmite, I have to say, was vital. Necessary. I was in Russia in the 80s. Food was scarce. Meat impossible to lay your hands on. And we had to fend for ourselves. Eggs and onions were the only products you could easily buy. Oh, and vodka. Have you ever eaten eggs so often that just the smell of them cooking makes you want to vomit? Not to mention the taste. Well, I have. We tried frying numerous onions to disguise them. And then I got my second, large pot of Marmite and suddenly the world tasted good again. Marmite can mask even the stubbornest of flavours…and then if you wash it down with a wee bit of vodka – what’s not to like?

 

There are those of us who think it looks and tastes like tar. What do I think? Unquestionably salty. Indubitably yeasty. …and then there is that je ne sais quoi…is it that blend of herbs and spices? Who knows? Only Unilever presumably. All I know is that I would quite like to be buried with a pot in my hand and I shall pray for resurrection so I can keep on consuming it. Marmite lover? Me? Yes!…Oh, and I am waiting for Unilever to nick my tagline.