From
www.marmite.com:
Ancient History:Any time before 1680 can safely be considered the Dark Ages, certainly as far as Marmite is concerned. The raw ingredients existed - Marmite is made from brewer's yeast that's been used to ferment sugars into alcohol - but Marmite was yet to be invented. People simply binned the by-products of brewing before they knew any better.
Discovery of Yeast:The penny dropped over the next few centuries when people took a closer look at the brewing process. First of all Dutch scientist, Leouwanhoek, examined the used brewer's yeast with a microscope and saw it was made of tiny cells. The French scientist Louis Pasteur then realised these cells were in fact living plants. These men had not so much discovered yeast (or Marmite), but they'd discovered its potential nutritional benefits, an important step. In fact, these men should have been given medals for their contribution to society!!
Birth of Marmite:When German scientist, Liebig discovered that brewer's yeast cells could be concentrated, bottled and eaten, Marmite was as close to being invented as it's possible to be, without actually having being invented... It was in 1902 that the Marmite Food Company (later Marmite Ltd) was set up in Burton on Trent. Our mission, then as now, was to share the joy of Marmite-eating and make it available to all those with excellent taste. It took a while to get the machinery and manufacturing process right, but soon enough we started producing great quantities of the spread you know and love today. (Cue widespread celebration and dancing in the streets!)
Making Marmite:The basic production method has changed little since Marmite was first invented. Basically, the used brewer's yeast is broken down to release soluble amino acids and proteins. This soluble material is then concentrated and filtered a few times before going through a unique (and top secret) process for flavour development. At the end of all this, we end up with yeast extract paste - nearly Marmite but not quite. The finishing touches make all the difference. We add an extra blend of vitamins, vegetable and spice extracts to create the taste your mouth adores!
Marmite and Health:It's because we add a special vitamin blend to Marmite, enhancing the naturally nutritious yeast that's already there, that you can be sure Marmite's good for you. Plus, we think toast with Marmite tastes better than most vitamin pills... B vitamins benefit your body in all sorts of ways. They help regulate the kidneys, liver and nervous system as well as assisting with skin disorders and boosting energy... Anyone for a dance?
Two World Wars:Thanks to its high B vitamin content, Marmite did its bit for the UK in two World Wars. By the time of the First World War it was included in soldiers ration packs. It also became a staple food in hospitals and schools. During World War II, Marmite became a dietary supplement in prisoner-of-war camps, and in 1999, it was sent to British peacekeeping forces in Kosovo after we received morale boosting requests from the field.
Love and Hate:Marmite leaves little room for a middle ground - you either love it or you hate it. Our recent advertising campaign played on this. It all started when the two people coming up with the ideas found themselves divided by their tastebuds: one of them adored it and the other didn't. And thus a campaign was born. We celebrated our 100th birthday in 2002 and public demand shows no signs of slowing - so long as you keep eating it, we'll keep churning it out. Surely it must be time for more rejoicing, now where were those dancing shoes?!
