Spanish tourists at Marmite popup shop, sniffing and examining Marmite. “Ees very hjard no?” one said after spreading it thickly without butter on his bread. People need lessons.
All things Marmite are increasingly in the news…I got a tweet today:
cydonia13 @MsMarmitelover I’m from the US. My university adviser is British and introduced me to Marmite. Now I have an addiction to it!!
This is good. Eventually those doubters from foreign climes will be converted and my plan to make liking Marmite a condition for entering Britain will be achieved. Being a tolerant sort, I may even allow Vegemite fans in too.
Last week a new sect, the Marmarati was formed, a sort of Masonic society for Marmite appreciators. Marmite have also opened a popup shop in the centre of London. Admittedly the addition of the words ‘Popup’ in order to add trendiness to any venture is getting rather tiresome but I’m such a fan of Marmite that I’ll let it go…however if the petition to continue the shop succeeds let’s hope they add more Marmite products in there. At the moment however it is a little haven in the West End for those of us who need a tea and Marmite on toast top-up during the day.
The staff have had people with Marmite tattoos and a couple with a dog called Marmite. On my visit, the customer base consisted of confused foreign tourists with no idea how to handle the pot of dark brown salty stuff. Frankly there needs to be beginner’s workshops.
In recent weeks I’ve been sent two books: The Bumper book of Marmite and The Mish Mash dictionary of Marmite.
The first is modelled on a kid’s annual. It has comics, games, puzzles and a few recipes. It’s bit of a gimmicky book, out for the Christmas market. There was obviously a large budget but I don’t know why they bothered. Aside from some good recipes from Signe Johansen, there are weak jokes and pointless artwork. I’ve bought some really amusing annuals in the past, Monty Python and AliG for instance, but this just doesn’t cut it. It’s all form and no content. I wouldn’t say I hated it, but I don’t love it.
The Mish Mash dictionary of Marmite at £8.99 lacks the gloss but is rather more interesting for genuine fans of the brown stuff. For a start, I’m mentioned in it under ‘U’ for Underground Restaurant! Writer Maggie Hall has put in lots of fascinating anecdotes and has obviously spent time researching the all-important subject of Marmite.
I'm not a marmite or a cucumber fan but have to admit that combination sounds quite good to me!
LOL beginner's workshop 😉
Must admit first time I tried it as a wee nipper I spat out Marmite. Now I can't get enough of the Umami goodness.
And yes it is FANTASTIC with peanut butter and a slice of cucumber…mmm. Also great with mackerel in tomato sauce but that might a step too far for some fans
Curious to see if the pop-up becomes permanent?
I really must check out that pop-up shop – it sounds intriguing. xx
I love that place. Hope it lasts!! Agree Ms MarmiteLover the staff are not 'attuned'. We were at the 'restaurant' and a 'client' said. I can't eat toast (gluten allergy) and don't much like tea. So 'droid' says (politely) "Well how do you normally eat it?" "With my fingers!" NOt acceptable even though I invited him onto my "pot". Marmite lovers find so many ways to enjoy the yeast feast and a lot of the 'spent yeast' comes from just up the road from me at the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham. Eschew the niceties and chew, eat, suck or otherwise the wonders of Marmite. For the interested, Vegemite doesn't stand up in a taste trial – a little like Auz beer…
I just posted an extensive and erudite response to this thread but because I dind't tick a little box the Blogger widget lost all the content of my post. So i am not going to post anything other than Marmite is great and the blogger widget is shit…