Marmite is a British savory food spread made from concentrated yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing. It was invented in 1902 by the German scientist Justus von Liebig and is produced by the British company Unilever
. Marmite is a dark brown, sticky paste with a distinctive salty and powerful flavor, known for its strong umami taste due to high levels of glutamate. It is commonly spread thinly on buttered toast but can also be used as a flavoring in soups and stews
. The name "Marmite" comes from a French term for a large covered cooking pot, which is reflected in the shape of its original earthenware jars and its logo
. Marmite is rich in B vitamins, including vitamin B12, making it a vegan source of these nutrients, and it has historically been used to prevent vitamin deficiencies, especially during wartime
. Its taste is famously polarizing, leading to the marketing slogan "Love it or hate it" because people tend to either strongly like or dislike it
. Marmite is halal and mostly vegan, though not gluten-free due to the barley and wheat used in brewing the yeast extract
. Similar yeast-extract spreads exist in other countries, such as Vegemite in Australia and Cenovis in Switzerland
. In summary, Marmite is a yeast-extract-based savory spread with a unique, strong flavor, rich in B vitamins, and a staple in British cuisine and culture
