Vegemite and footy on the menu as Gillard faces US students with Obama

The Australian ^ | 8th March 2011 | Matthew Franklin

[naturalman1975]

Vegemite was, Mr Obama declared, "horrible".

"It's like a quasi-vegetable by-product paste that you smear all over your toast," Mr Obama told the students after one asked Mr Gillard to describe Vegemite.

"That sounds good doesn't it," Mr Obama.

Frozen hell. I have found something I agree with Obama on.

[DallasDeb]

Vegemite comes from the sludge at the bottom of a beer barrel—no kidding.

[SaveTheChief]

Vegemite doesn’t sound appealing at all. Australian footy, on the other hand, is much more interesting and exciting than soccer.

[DallasDeb]

Aussies think our PB&J sandwiches are disgusting!

[naturalman1975]

No, just a bit weird :)

Understand that to an Australian “Jelly” has the meaning Americans give to “Jell-O” so it really sounds weird the first time an Australia hears it.

[mowowie]

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Yep. By-product of the brewing industry. I have to say, tho.....I developed a penchant for ‘Twiglets’ when I lived in the UK. They were a ‘crunchy Cheetos product’ that, instead of cheese powder, were covered in Vegemite and then baked. I LOVED ‘em!

Great with a pint of good bitter. Mmmmmmm.

[DBrow]

Everyone knows Marmite is better.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

In fact.....in the UK they call it ‘Marmite’.

[nascarnation]

All 5 star reviews on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Vegemite-150g-Jar/dp/tech-data/B001JDHUUA

[WesternPacific]

Australian footy, on the other hand, is much more interesting and exciting than soccer.

Agree. I use to travel to Brisbane (Griffith University) as part of an Educational Program and got hooked on Australian Football. Australian Footballers are tough men.

[naturalman1975]

Up there, Cazaly at YouTube.

[Myrddin]

A friend in the UK once said of Guinness, "Marmite topped with shaving cream looks exactly like a glass of Guinness and has the advantage of tasting better". Marmite is much like Vegemite. Guinness is fine with a good steak. Marmite is best left in the jar...tightly capped. Ditto for that damned stewed tomato at breakfast. The Weetabix was interesting if you could get it wet with enough milk. My gluten intolerance issues have deleted beer and other wheat derived foods from my diet.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

exactly right.

[Myrddin]

My dad and another officer were dining while visiting Australia. The other officer asked his waitress for a napkin. She got a horrified look on her face and promptly left the table. He was corrected a few minutes later and asked for a "serviette". Culture clash in the dining room.

[Ribeye]

Vegemite and Marmite are close, but not the same. Marmite is more “snotty” and Vegamite is more pasty. Marmite is also a bit more “oniony” for lack of a better word. Both are fantastic spread thin on toast with butter. Or in a soup base.

[Farmer Dean]

If Obozo says it’s horrible,then I’d be willing to give it a try.I value his opinion just that much.

[mowowie]

They seem to like it.

Maybe in very small quantities it might be ok.

[Ditter]

Same here I agree with obama but only on Vegimite. Nasty chemical/vegetable stuff supposed to be good for you according to my Dutch friend.

[Jack Hammer]

Tried Vegemite once; that was enough.

Obama’s right about it; on the other hand, even a broken clock is right twice a day.