Posted on 03/20/2012 3:36:48 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- It's a sticky black sandwich spread that much of New Zealand adores, though detractors liken it to axle grease. And when it runs out, it's Marmageddon.
The manufacturer of Marmite says its supplies of the yeast-extract product ran out this week, four months after earthquakes forced it to close the only factory that made New Zealand's version.
"Don't freak. We will be back soon!" the company, Sanitarium, says on the Marmite website. But there are signs of freaking in this country of 4.4 million people, which eats its way through 640 metric tons of the savory spread every year.
"I can confirm there was a rush on Marmite yesterday," Antoinette Shallue, spokeswoman for the grocery chain Foodstuffs, said in an email. "Clearly Kiwis took the news of the impending shortage very seriously!"
Some are calling the crisis "Marmageddon." Others are auctioning their supplies of Marmite online. Even the country's leader sounds concerned.
"I'm going to have to go thin I'm afraid. I have a very small amount in my office and once that runs out I'm obviously aware that supplies are very short," Prime Minister John Key told television station TV3 on Tuesday.
At the risk of angering Marmite fans, Key went on say that he could also eat Vegemite, a rival spread that is made in Australia.
Both Marmite and Vegemite are made from yeast extract. Marmite was launched in England and, at first, was imported into New Zealand. But by 1919, New Zealand had come up with its own version, which differs in taste significantly from the English version.
As a result, importing English Marmite simply won't work, said Pierre van Heerden, Sanitarium's general manager.
"People have grown up with Marmite. It's an iconic New Zealand brand," van Heerden said. He's advising people to use their remaining supplies sparingly: for instance, by spreading Marmite on warm toast, so that it goes further, or on just one side of the bread in double sandwiches.
The problem traces back to a series of earthquakes in the city of Christchurch that last year killed 185 people and destroyed many buildings. In November, Sanitarium decided the quake damage was severe enough it needed to close its Christchurch factory, the only one that makes the New Zealand style of Marmite. This week, it ran out of supplies.
Supermarkets still have some jars left, but they're going fast.
"We anticipate running out of stock of Marmite in the next two to three weeks across all our stores, and unfortunately we have no control of the situation," Murray Johnston, general manager of merchandise at grocery chain Progressive Enterprises, wrote in an email.
Van Heerden said he has kept the 25 people who make Marmite on the payroll and hopes to resume production by July -- when either the factory will be repaired or the production line will be moved.
In the meantime, one would-be entrepreneur has listed a jar of Marmite for a minimum bid of 3,500 New Zealand dollars ($2,900) on the auction site Trade Me, admitting that: "Seal broken, had to take a couple of toasts worth just to say goodbye to my prized Marmite."
Nobody has placed a bid.
Yes (gag)
In a totally unrelated brain cramp, I once introduced my three French nephews to peanut butter. One claimed he liked it; the older two reacted like scalded cats. They still mention it occasionally
My husband is from the UK and he loves the stuff. He also loves malt vinegar on his fish and chips and HP sauce on his shepherds pie
Then I will not be suggesting the jellied eels for second course. Shlurp.
Yum!
I eat malt vinegar on my fish and chips. Everyone looks at me like I am nuts. Lol
For those of us who have never sampled it but are curious, can someone please describe the taste.
Trying (not) to picture a piece of Sailor Boy smeared with Marmite. Oh noes!!!
Well, I won’t dwell on some of the things I’ve eaten when really hungry.
~~~~~~groan~~~~~~~:{
I am not quite sure but that sure looked like Judy from The Seekers, who jumped into the blob of marmite.
Place a piece of vegetable OXO cube in your mouth, with a hint of strong beer.Very salty. uugh!
Me too
Whats Fish N Chips without vinegar ???
:)
That’s the only way to eat it.
Mmmm!!!
H. Salt fish and chips....
We can’t afford them any more. :(
What is this "Pepsi" thing of which you speak?
Yuck
I guess it’s an acquired taste - like lutefisck
Thanks
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