Vegemite: What Is It and What’s Vegemite Made of?

What is Vegemite? Is it a type of cheese? A spread? A condiment? If you’ve never had Vegemite before, you’re missing out!

This delicious spread is made from yeast extract, a popular addition to sandwiches and toast in Australia and New Zealand.

But what is Vegemite, exactly? And what’s in it? Keep reading to find out more!

Vegemite: What Is It?

what's vegemite made of
Vegemite on toast. Credit: canva

Vegemite is a thick, black, slightly salty paste from yeast extract.

It’s a popular spread for sandwiches and toast in Australia and New Zealand, and it’s also used as an ingredient in many savory dishes.

The taste of Vegemite is divisive – some people love it, while others find it too strong or salty.

It’s an iconic and quintessential part of Australia’s history and culture, but not everyone knows what it is or where it came from. If you’ve never had Vegemite before, it’s worth trying it!

What’s Vegemite Made Of?

What is Vegemite Made of?

vegemite
Credit: unsplash

Let’s look at the Vegemite ingredients:

Yeast extract, salt, malt extract, vegetable coloring, and sugar.

Yeast extract is the key ingredient in Vegemite.

It is made from yeast that has been left over from brewing beer. The yeast is then dried and ground into a powder.

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This powder is then mixed with water to create a paste.

The paste is then boiled and left to cool. This creates a thick, dark liquid that has a strong taste.

Salt is another key ingredient in Vegemite.

It is used to add flavor and to help preserve the Vegemite.

Malt extract is sometimes used in Vegemite.

It is made from the malt left over from brewing beer. Malt extract is used to add flavor and to help preserve the Vegemite.

Vegetable coloring

The coloring is used to give Vegemite its characteristic brown color.

Sugar

Sugar is used to sweeten the Vegemite.

How is Vegemite Made?

vegemite
Butter and Vegemite. Credit: canva

Vegemite is made by mixing yeast extract, salt, malt extract, vegetable coloring, and sugar.

  1. The yeast breaks down the sugars from the vegetables releasing alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. This creates an acidic environment which then ferments more sugars from the vegetables.
  2. After this fermentation, they are dried by baking them in ovens or on trays, where they dry up entirely into a brown powder before being ground into a fine paste called Vegemite.
  3. The paste is then boiled and left to cool. This creates a thick, dark liquid that has a strong taste.

Is Vegemite Fermented?

Vegemite is not fermented. It is a spread made from yeast extract, B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin), and vegetable oil. The yeast extract is made from brewer’s yeast, a by-product of the brewing industry.

Is Vegemite Acidic?

Vegemite is quite acidic, with a pH level of 3.5. This means that it’s slightly more acidic than coffee and just less so than orange juice.

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What Does Vegemite Taste Like?

It tastes salty with hints of nutty flavors like caramel and cocoa beans. It also contains high levels of salt, so it can be addictive.

Why do Australians Love Vegemite So Much?

Vegemite is a brown, salty spread Australians have enjoyed for over 90 years. It is not a standard product outside of Australia, and finding Vegemite in the U.S can be challenging.

But many people believe Australians love Vegemite because it was created from leftover beer brewing yeast, giving it a flavor, unlike any other food or condiment! 

Unlike American foods like ketchup or mayonnaise, Vegemite has no expiration date, meaning you don’t have to worry about throwing out your jar after six months of use!

It also contains folate, which helps with cell production and can help improve cardiovascular health as well as reduce the risk for strokes and heart disease!

Vegemite Benefits

Vegemite has been around since 1922, but the question remains: does it taste good? We’ll let you be the judge of that one.

We know that Vegemite contains many health benefits, such as vitamin B12, niacin, and B6, among other things. It’s also known to have folate, which helps prevent birth defects during pregnancy.

The salty spread also has no trans fats or cholesterol, meaning people with diabetes and heart disease can enjoy it without worry!

So next time you crave something different, try some vegemite on toast or crackers for a little extra flavor!

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How to Eat Vegemite?

vegemite toas egg
Credit: canva

Eating Vegemite is a taste that many people have grown up with. But, how would you go about eating this Australian food?

There are many ways to enjoy Vegemite, including spreading it thinly, using it as a dip with crackers, and adding it into an eggs benedict recipe.

Here are some tips for enjoying Vegemite 

  1. First, scrape off the excess butter, so your toast doesn’t get soggy and unappetizing. 
  2. Then, take your bread and spread the Vegemite on one side. If you’re feeling adventurous or daring, try applying it all over the slice of bread!  
  3. Finally, enjoy breakfast by dipping your toast into a cup of milk or tea (hot cocoa works, too!).

FAQs

What is vegemite made from?

Vegemite is made from various leftover vegetables, including celery, carrots, and onions. These are blended and then condensed into a thick paste.

The resulting mixture is then combined with yeast extract and various spices to create the distinctive Vegemite flavor.

What’s in vegemite?

Vegemite is a dark brown food spread made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing. It is high in B vitamins and contains the amino acids tryptophan and glutamate.

What is vegemite made out of?

Vegemite is made out of yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing. It also contains salt, malt, and vegetable extract (which gives it its dark color).

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