“Kate, Will You Please Pass the Yeast?”: A Taste Test with Marmite

The Royal Wedding has come and gone which means by now, Kate and Willie are moving on to the honeymoon stage.  If the latest Royal Couple is as British as their blue blood would lead you to believe, its likely they’ll be having a bit of yeast over the next couple days.

Please.  Let me explain.

I received an email a while ago from the representatives of Cost Plus World Market.  Their message was an announcement for the upcoming Royal Wedding and the snacks that the Brits would be noshing on while they watched. Among them were Bisto Gravy Granules, Heinz Baked Beans, and Marmite Yeast Extract.  WTF!?

Gravy, OK I can see that.  Baked beans, yeah I eat them all the time.  But yeast!?  I was immediately curious.  As for everyone else at South Bay Foodies HQ, not so much.  I requested a sample right away.

When it arrived, I was intrigued by the cute little pot-shaped jar that contained what looked like a dark, creamy essence.  What would it taste like?  How would I use it!?

A bit of Internet research led me to find that there are plenty of ways to use Marmite.  Along with random websites with recipes and suggestions, I also found an interactive “Sandwich Planner” that lets visitors build their own Marmite sandwich and then share their creation with friends.

The website is engaging and fun, offering plenty of breads and toppings (pineapple?) for Marmite sandwiches.  I just went simple though:  Marmite, wheat bread, and provolone cheese.

Opening the jar I didn’t get too much of a scent.  The contents smelled a bit earthy and bready.  Dipping in with a spoon, I got a better feel for the texture of the stuff.  It was like a dark brown caramel, smooth and sticky.  I would soon find out it was far, far, far from sweet.

I took a big taste from the spoon.  Rookie mistake!  The intense savoriness of the thick sauce was enough to suck my saliva glands dry.  Its hard to say what it tastes like exactly but after the flavor sensation came down a few notches I was able to actually enjoy it a bit.

Even though Marmite is vegetarian — made from yeast, spices, salt, and vegetables — the closest flavor I can think of is the the taste of highly concentrated and reduced drippings from a well done roast beef.

With that in mind, I headed to the kitchen to get cooking.

I used a drizzle of Marmite to flavor a simple grilled cheese sandwich of wheat bread and provolone.  Most of the recipes I’d seen called for a strong cheddar but I wanted a milder cheese to highlight the flavor of the yeast.

The sandwich turned out brilliantly (as the British would say) and I enjoyed it.  For the sake of my virgin tongue, I wish I had spread the sauce a bit thinner in a few places, but I liked the way it brought a saltiness and earthiness to the otherwise lightly flavored provolone cheese.

If you’re lucky enough to hang out with the Royals, don’t turn down the  Marmite; ask for it by name!

They’ll appreciate your knack for British cuisine and might event consider introducing you to Harry or whoever else is next in line for the throne.

For the rest of us, we’ll have to swing by Cost Plus World Market where they sell Marmite along with the other British delicacies mentioned earlier.  You can find Cost Plus in Torrance and El Segundo.

Enjoy your yeast!