Love it or hate it, Marmite is a product which divides national opinion. For some, that little black pot is a kitchen cupboard staple; the perfect accompaniment to anything and everything. For others, a mere whiff of the distinctive yeasty odour leaves them gagging. During my first term in halls, when the inevitable discussion arrived over who liked and who did not like Marmite, passions were aroused that united and divided people who had known each other only a matter of weeks. Those who loved it would sit around munching on cheese and Marmite toasties, while others looked on in horror. Despite the fact that so many people dislike it, I genuinely can’t think of a food which is as recognisable as the Marmite Pot.
The “love it or hate it” debate went international last week when it was announced that Denmark was to outlaw the infamous condiment. Clearly the Danish government are firmly settled in the “hate” camp, but their decision leaves them accountable for depriving hundreds of Marmite enthusiasts of their favourite yeast extract. Even those who aren’t Marmite fans seem to have taken the banning of this unique foodstuff personally. How could a small pot of spread have caused such controversy over in Denmark? According to media reports, the fact that Marmite has been fortified with vitamins during the manufacturing process means it does not comply with Danish legislation passed in 2004, hence the recent ban.
But those little pots of controversy are actually overflowing with health benefits! In fact,there are many reasons why we should all be turning to Marmite. It contains B vitamins which are essential for regulating your kidneys and help to keep any pesky or persistent skin troubles at bay. The B2 vitamins help keep your locks looking super shiny, topping up your iron levels too. Aside from the notably high levels of salt, a daily spoonful of Marmite is clearly the way forward when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. And, despite its deceptively meaty taste, no animals were harmed during the making of Marmite, meaning it’s suitable for vegetarians, pescatarians and vegans alike!
To cynics, it’s a hard task to make the viscous black goo sound appetising. The spread’s primary ingredient is created as a by-product of the beer-brewing process, the thought of which doesn’t exactly make one’s mouth water. Yet over recent years, the Marmite brand has marketed itself so successfully that one doesn’t have to be a connoisseur of all things yeasty to appreciate its iconic status as a British brand. The merchandise available on the Marmite website is quite unbelievable, ranging from the practical to the truly bizarre; the company are cleverly capitalising on the notorious love/hate debate. I do think, though, that whoever expresses their distaste for Marmite by investing £24.99 in a “HATE Marmite” T-shirt warrants a certain degree of negative judgement. We’ve all got carried away online shopping before, but such ridiculous purchases are inexcusable.
The brand has expanded way beyond the boundaries of kitchenware and T-shirts and has taken the natural step forward by attempting to form a monopoly on cycle wear. Lycra has always been a tricky look to pull off, but with a Marmite logo emblazoned on one’s chest, Lycra becomes très chic. The standard Andy Warhol inspired pop art memorabilia also appears in abundance, with Marmite crockery galore! By the end of my browsing, I was left with two polarised opinions, the first being along the lines of “Who actually buys any of this tat?” with the second following nicely up with “ZOMG! A Marmite computer mouse that’s compatible with my laptop?! Would look too cute in the J.B. Morrell!” Thankfully, I went with the first.
On a more positive note, the website is still valiantly shipping merchandise to Denmark, so despite pots of Marmite being stripped from the shelves of Danish supermarkets, fans can express their support for the cause by literally filling every corner of your home with Marmite bric-a-brac. Even if you aren’t a fan of actually eating the brown stuff, you can definitely embrace the brand through all the alternative products the company sells. Just stay away from the Marmite flavour chocolate: it tastes like the Nestle factory smells.