Vegemighty!
At dinner, I saw an Australian smear a layer of Vegemite™ over his fish. At first, I thought this was single most repulsive act I'd ever seen, but soon I realized that this adoration of Vegemite™ is the wellspring of Australian strength and identity.
Vegemite™ is made from the leftover yeast extract from beer brewing. It tastes as if a person concentrated forties of Olde English into a spread and then mixed in rancid seaweed. For Australians, it is considered a highly concentrated super food that contains more vitamins per volume than any food on the planet Earth. Ironically considering it comes from the brewing process, Vegemite™ even cures hangovers. The niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine represent a three pronged attack of B vitamins that no hangover has been known to withstand. Of course, only Australians can handle the power of this super spread. Steve Irwin has some every morning before he wrestles crocodiles, and Paul Hogan (aka Crocodile Dundee) spreads his Vegemite™ with a hunting knife four times a day. It is even rumored that the great Roman general Russell Crowe draws strength from the malodorous schmear. Reportedly, Australian breast milk even contains Vegemite™. Many people unfairly compare a Vegemite™ sandwich to an American peanut butter and jelly sandwich as the symbolic food of childhood. But, pb&j does not hold a place in the American psyche as the national symbol for American-ness. The food even represents the peculiar Aussie deadpan humor. Aussies just love to tell unsuspecting Americans that Vegemite™ is delicious- some even fiercely believe this- but mainly, they just want to see your contorted face as you sample the 'Mite for the first time. They laugh boisterously as they know that only real Aussies are strong enough to handle the food. Vegemite™ stand as a testament to the unique forms Australian toughness and humor.
In the States, you can actually buy this food at some Trader Joes. I encourage you to all try it and get others to try it. What you're really tasting is not some noxious brown goo, but rather the national identity of Australia.
Vegemite™ is made from the leftover yeast extract from beer brewing. It tastes as if a person concentrated forties of Olde English into a spread and then mixed in rancid seaweed. For Australians, it is considered a highly concentrated super food that contains more vitamins per volume than any food on the planet Earth. Ironically considering it comes from the brewing process, Vegemite™ even cures hangovers. The niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine represent a three pronged attack of B vitamins that no hangover has been known to withstand. Of course, only Australians can handle the power of this super spread. Steve Irwin has some every morning before he wrestles crocodiles, and Paul Hogan (aka Crocodile Dundee) spreads his Vegemite™ with a hunting knife four times a day. It is even rumored that the great Roman general Russell Crowe draws strength from the malodorous schmear. Reportedly, Australian breast milk even contains Vegemite™. Many people unfairly compare a Vegemite™ sandwich to an American peanut butter and jelly sandwich as the symbolic food of childhood. But, pb&j does not hold a place in the American psyche as the national symbol for American-ness. The food even represents the peculiar Aussie deadpan humor. Aussies just love to tell unsuspecting Americans that Vegemite™ is delicious- some even fiercely believe this- but mainly, they just want to see your contorted face as you sample the 'Mite for the first time. They laugh boisterously as they know that only real Aussies are strong enough to handle the food. Vegemite™ stand as a testament to the unique forms Australian toughness and humor.
In the States, you can actually buy this food at some Trader Joes. I encourage you to all try it and get others to try it. What you're really tasting is not some noxious brown goo, but rather the national identity of Australia.