linden_jay

In this post, I invited people to ask me to rant on a particular topic.

tarnished_raven's request was as follows:

The lamentable unavailability of the delicious spread known as Vegemite to the greater populace of Canada and those United States. Bitch.

What is truly lamentable is not the unavailability of Vegemite to the greater population of Canada and the United States, it's the combination of ignorance and prejudice against this amazing and delicious product.

Vegemite is made from leftover brewers' yeast extract (a by-product of beer manufacture) and various vegetable and spice additives. Whereas some cultures would have thrown away this by-product as waste, Fred Walker, owner of the Fred Walker Cheese company realized it's potential as a delicious and nourishing treat, a dream brought to life by Dr. Cyril P. Callister, who was the creator of the very first Vegemite spread.

Not only is it delicious and thrifty- since it makes use of products that would ordinarily be thrown away and just go to waste, it is nutritious too- receiving official endorsement from the British Medical Association which allowed doctors to recommend it as a Vitamin B-rich, nutritionally balanced food for patients.

Vegemite also serves as an important cultural touchstone for the Australian people. During the second world war, Vegemite was a rationed item, and as part of the war effort, ordinary citizens were encouraged to do their part for their soldiers by way of advertisements which explained the dire situation:

"Vegemite fights with the men up north! If you are one of those who don’t need Vegemite medicinally, then thousands of invalids are asking you to deny yourself of it for the time being."

My fellow (North) Americans- give up your childish prejudices and embrace Vegemite- peanut butter's red-headed step sibling to the South. Sure it's black and has a tar like consistency. Of course it has a salt content that could defrost snow on a highway. But I think you'll find it hard to hold these things against it while you are singing:

The Happy Little Vegemite Song

We are happy little Vegemites as bright as bright can be,
We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea,
Our mummy says we're growing stronger every single week,
Because we love our Vegemite,
We all adore our Vegemite,
It puts a rose in every cheek!

*factual information on Vegemite, as well as the lyrics to 'The Happy Little Vegemite' song derived from this site.