For many British ex-patriates living in New Zealand the taste of Marmite on toast brings back fond memories of the home they left behind.
But yesterday they were delivered an unpalatable message - when they go to their supermarkets the shelves where the jars of Marmite are stacked will become increasingly bare.
Production of the yeast extract spread, which has been produced for decades in Christchurch, has been suspended because one of the factory towers was damaged by last year’s earthquake and the plant has had to close for repairs.
The New Zealand version of Marmite has a different recipe to the British product but most expatriates say the taste is not so very different and they’ve been happy to use it.
New Zealand Marmite is described by those who have sampled both versions as having a slightly sweet taste and is a little weaker than the British version.
Both are made from a yeast extract, which is a by-product of beer brewing, but the British version has more calories, more energy, more protein and more carboydrates than the New Zealand product.
With the announcement yesterday that remaining stocks could be exhausted within weeks, Mr Pierre van Heerden, general manager of the New Zealand manufacturer, Sanitarium, urged people to spread it on hot toast because it would go further.
Panic is now beginning to set in - what are Marmite lovers to do?
They’ve been told they can shop around for the imported British version, although that would be hard to find and wouldn’t last long in the supermarkets, or they could splash out and buy a jar for £60 - that’s the asking price at an online auction site.
There’s one other alternative, although New Zealanders in particular will be reluctant to grab it from their love-’em-or-hate-’em neighbours.
They could buy the Australian version, Vegemite, also a by-product of beer manufacturing and various vegetable. But that, they would admit, would be a last resort.
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Call Bob Geldof, NZ needs you!
Call Bob Geldof, NZ needs you!
Marmiteaid 2012!!!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Call Bob Geldof, NZ needs you!
And so it begins. The Yeast Wars.They could buy the Australian version, Vegemite, also a by-product of beer manufacturing and various vegetable. But that, they would admit, would be a last resort.
Bah!
Re: Call Bob Geldof, NZ needs you!
This thing with the British and marmite reminds me a lot of the French love for Jerry Lewis....
It's a cultural thing that just leaves me completely bewildered....
It's a cultural thing that just leaves me completely bewildered....
Re: Call Bob Geldof, NZ needs you!
All-mighty GOD will not allow this abomination.Production of the yeast extract spread, which has been produced for decades in Christchurch, has been suspended because one of the factory towers was damaged by last year’s earthquake and the plant has had to close for repairs.
Your collective inability to acknowledge this obvious truth makes you all look like fools.
yrs,
rubato
