Aussie Delights
Remember when we mentioned the love that we were feeling from Down Under thanks to a kind reader who informed us (surprise!) that our dining room was in Australia’s Better Homes & Garden’s magazine last month? She even sent over this scan of it for us to share (thanks again Jacqueline!).
Well, we’re learning that Aussies are a generous bunch. Shortly thereafter another Australian reader offered to send us her copy (thanks Megan!). And while she was at it she slipped a little Australian delicacy into the package. Check out the contents description:
Yes, that does say “Magazine” and “Vegemite” (I wonder what the postal workers were thinking). Apparently after the little Vegemite-related taste debate that ensued in our last post’s comments, she wanted us to try it for ourselves. And we were so game.
Having heard it was an acquired taste, Sherry and I approached the Vegemite with caution. It sure did look like a jar of chocolate, but certainly didn’t smell like one.
I decided the smell was a mix of chocolate, plums and damp wood (a delicious combination, no?). I believe Sherry’s conclusion was that it just smelled “yeasty,” which makes sense considering it says “concentrated yeast extract” right under the name on the label. But Megan didn’t send the Vegemite almost 10,000 miles for us to just smell it.
So, as a bunch of bona fide Australians suggested in the comments, we toasted a piece of bread until it was nice and crisp (it was the last one in the house, so we had to share) and spread on a thick coat of butter first. Then came the time to apply a thin layer of our new Australia treat (we heard more than once that thin was the operative word)…
Did we do it right, Aussies? Is that thin enough or was that layer a bit too wimpy of us?
With the Vegemite finally spread, we cut the slice in half and rock-paper-scissored for the chance to try it first. I won (or lost, you decide). Here’s the show Sherry got to watch as my taste buds went on an outback adventure:
My verdict: I like the initial taste and the aftertaste, but there’s a moment right in the middle of each bite where the Vegemite packs quite a punch and was too strong for my preference (it’s very salty). But I downed the entire slice and then snatched the camera from Sherry so I could capture her Vege experience.
Sherry was skeptical at first (having watched me), but was quick to fall in love with it, actually. She gobbled up her piece almost before I could get any non-blurry pictures. Then later in the evening she even wished aloud (more than once) that we hadn’t run out of bread so she could have more.
So there you have it - the Petersiks’ run in with Vegemite. While I’m usually the adventurous palate in the family, the rest of this jar has Sherry’s name all over it. But what we can agree on is that the Australian issue of BHG is awesome, making us even more flattered to be included. Thanks again for sending both of them our way, Megan!
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LOL, you guys are the best, thanks for sharing the experience!
~Bon
I’ve never had it but now am curious to try it!
I think I’m more of a kraft marshmellow spread on toast kinda girl…
Loving the photo montage!!! Hysterical…John’s expressions are priceless LOL
I have to try this stuff
Having spent my younger years in the UK, my dad always stocked up on Marmite – the British version of Vegemite. I remember it being a treat that I loved first thing in the morning, but after moving to the states, I haven’t had a single bite. I really want to run out to a World Market and buy a jar! I’ve seen Marmite stocked on their shelves in the past…
Hahaha you guys are troopers! I mean I like my food to taste like damp wood as much as the next guy but that stuff does not look the least bit appetizing!
ONYA, Sherry and John (that’s Australian – short for “Good on you” – which is the same as “Well done”).
One of life’s great joys is watching the facial expressions of overseas friends trying Vegemite for the first time. LOLOLOLOL. Isn’t it GREAT?? :) :)
Youse are now both honorary Strayans.
Oh my, this stuff. I went to New Zealand in January and all of the locals I met said I just HAD to try this. It is NOT my cup of tea. Cheers to you guys for being good sports!
Congrats on the mag! What do you guys do with all of your magazine covers/articles? Frame them? Scrap book it? Stash them in a box? Toss them in the recycle bin? Very curious!
Hey Jessica,
Good question! We like to save just one copy of each magazine or newspaper that we’re in (we send any extras off to friends and family or just recycle ‘em). As for where we keep them, we have two padded ottomans (our favorite storage trick) under our console table in the living room and we stash our little pile in one of them. There’s really nothing a padded ottoman can’t do. We counted and we have SEVEN of them hiding various things around the house. Too funny.
xo,
s
You guys are very very daring. Who knew it was made by Kraft too?
so that is what Men at Work were singing about. I always thought vegemite was a made up word.
But WHY the terrible name??? VEGEMITE? ICK!
Fun!
Such a cute post! Loved your product review! :)
Those pics are toooo cute for words! =]
Wow how nice of Megan! Go for the good stuff though – Nutella is the best chocolate in a jar!
don’t do it! any self respecting brit will tell you it’s all about Marmite not Vegemite. Vegemite is a cheap aussie rip off of the original.
of couse, the secret to getting hooked on either to start eating it after you come in drunk from the pub with the beer munchies. very addictive stuff, but choose your poison carefully.
Soooo funny. We have a similar product here in the UK called Marmite (the advert says you either love it or hate it). Go to the website http://www.marmite.co.uk and check out the delicious sandwich suggestions. Yum!!!! BTW love your blog xxx
Well Miss Sherry given that you know us Aussies are soooo generous I think you might have just *accidentally* snagged yourself a lifetime supply having mentioned once that you quite liked Vegemite (it puts a rose in every cheek!). And no matter what my dear old Nanna says it DOES go off after a while so make sure you get it while the getting’s good! Enjoy :)
You guys are HILARIOUS. Your design inspirations keep me entertained, as well as these non-design posts and pix.
Hi Guys!!
The best way to have vegemite is on fresh white bread (free of ANY nutrients) lightly toasted, lots of butter and a thin layer…. Good work giving it a try!! It’s also great with some melted cheese on top!
Karen
First let me say, Marmite is totally disgusting – Vegemite is heaps better. They taste nothing alike.
Secondly, John maate it appears as though you buttered the toast while it was hot. It’s delicious if you let it get slightly cold so you have the layer of butter on top of the toast, then spread on the vegemite.
Here in Oz they’ve just released a new vegemite – with cream cheese added. I don’t think I’ll be giving it a go – good ol’ original vegemite for me all the way.
Good on ya cobber for giving it a go!
haha As an Aussie, I found this post particularly humorous! There’s not often a day that goes by that I DON’T eat vegemite, and yes, it’s usually on a piece of toast with butter! You guys did well, I introduced it to some americans on my travels and it’s safe to say won’t be trying it again! Did you know they even make cheesy mite scrolls here? Basically, a scroll with vegemite in it during the baking process, I think it’s just lazy!
Whoa, I was also very skeptical at first. I tried it once with a thick layer and it was disgusting. After a visit to Australia, I was educated on the proper method with a very thin layer. I only tried it after my friend’s parents promised me it wouldnt’ be rude if I got disgusted and spit it out. They said no, I tried it, and all was good. The key is VERY thin layer, just dipping the tip of the knife into the jar is more than enough. Good luck with broadening your taste buds!
LOL! Yum, Looking for websites that sell vegemite so I can give it a try!
HAHAHA-
This post made me LAUGH thinking of my college teammate who was an Aussie! She used to bring a jar of vegemite to the dining hall (every. single. morning.) and would GLADLY share it with anyone who wanted to try…. usually they never wanted to try it again. You go Sherry! So her nickname became “Vegemite”… and it’s been 4 years since college but I’m def. going to fwd. this on to her!!!
Hi guys,
I’ve just discovered your fantastic page through Inside Out Magazine (I think that was what it’s called) in Australia. This website you guys have set up is a great idea. My husband and I have just bought a new house which is a standard shaped 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Everything is white and I’m desperately trying to incorporate colour without is looking too tacky. Once we save some more money I will be able to do this and your website will enable us to get lots of handy hints to make our home feel like a ‘real home’
Being Australian you would think I would like Vegemite, but even the smell makes me dry reach. Yucky!! You did well to eat it and even enjoy it. I look forward to reading your website in the future. Keep up the fabulous work.
Cheers,
Belinda :-)
Congratulations on becoming honourary Aussies!
I love the photo montage and love your blog – so much fun, inspiration and beauty!
Well it takes a post on Vegemite to take me out of skulk mode. As an Aussie I can see why it’s an acquired taste and letting someone spread it on thick is just mean.
It’s really good to have the morning after the night before, as the rich vitamin B-ness replenishes brilliantly.
Has anyone told you about Violet Crumbles …an Aussie chocolate covered honeycomb confection…? Maybe something sweet would be more to John’s liking.
Thanks for dubbing us honourary Aussies, Jane! I’m even throwing in that distinctly Austrialian “u” in honourary for good measure.
And Cate, we haven’t heard of Violet Crumbles but I would definitely be down for something on the sweeter side. We call my mom the Candy Queen, so I’ve been trained well in that department.
Glad everyone’s enjoying our experience. Perhaps we should start a spin-off blog where we just eat food that’s foreign to us… or not.
-John
I agree with Karen, lots of butter and only a thin spread of vegemite. It doesn’t taste good without butter.
Too funny! I’ve always wondered what it tasted like. Reminds me of that time in Japan when my family tried chocolate covered cockroches…but your experience with Vegemite looked much, much, much more enjoyable!
-e
I’ve grown up on Vegemite, but I would still say that John’s piece is spread too thick, but Sherry’s looks ok. It might explain the difference of opinions somewhat.
What a coincidence, I am eating vegemite for breakfast right now as I read this post (I am an Aussie). My favourite way to eat vegemite is on crumpets, and that’s the way I’m eating it right now, thinly spread with lots of butter of course. Do you have crumpets in the USA?
I had a friend from Japan visit me last year and I got her hooked on the stuff, she now has it on toast nearly every morning. The extreme saltyness is kinda a common taste in their food over there (seaweed, fermented soy beans, raw fish) so it wasn’t such a stretch for her to like it. But an American used to sugary foods it would have been something else all together. You did well to finish your toast.
Yeayyy…go Vegemite!! :P
You guys look like little kids trying something new! Too Cute! John look like my oldest “yeah I like it”, but will never try it again! And you Sherry, my son nicholas (no you don’t look like a boy!), who loves everthing and can’t wait to “try it” again!
Thanks for the laugh you guys. Really, I laughed out loud more than once :-)
Hi guys, regular reader of your blog. First time poster.
Vegemite is hands down my favourite food EVER. I love it on Fresh(like falling apart fresh) white bread with butter & of course toast, oh and crackers with cheese, yum. THINLY spread. Seriously to die for. I quess its an aquired taste, but once your committed you never look back.
Love yor blog, Cheers from Oz, Niki
Oh, this post made me laugh. I am Australian but have lived in the US for the past 10 years. Every couple of visits my mum brings a jar of vegemite over for me. I enjoy it on crackers with a slice of cheese. It takes a while to get used to it! Congrats on the article.
Kylie
P.S. Since you are both so generous about giveaways, you may want to stop by my little blog to win a pretty scarf for Sherry :)
One of these food experimenters is so freakin hot…and her name is not John :) Love the photos…they made me giggle my tea out my nose…which I don’t recommend :)
So glad you tried it! i’m an Aussie born and bred on Vegemite. Keep eating it, you’ll come to love it! It’s also AMAZING on a Vegemite and cheese toasted sandwich. Trust me and try it. :-)
PS Have we even started on Tim Tams? Or pavlova?
What are Tim Tams and Pavlova? Do tell!
xo,
s
you can get Tim Tams at World Market – except for some reasons it doesn’t say Tim Tams on the packaging!
http://www.worldmarket.com/Arnotts-Chocolate-Covered-Biscuits/lev/4/productId/4726/Ntt/tim%20tam/Ntx/mode+matchallpartial/Ntk/Def/N/0/Nty/1/Ssr/Y/index.pro
I blogged about it too (click on my name to go to the post). You will need to try a Tim Tam Slam :)
Pavlova is another great aussie dessert!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food)
Target sells Tim Tams! I will post a pav recipe!
Tim Tams are 2 chocolate biscuits sandwiched with a chocolate cream filling and then coated in chocolate! There are a whole range of different flavours these days.
Pavlova is like a meringue cake – crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Usually topped with fresh whipped cream and berries.
ahahaha. i’m so proud! but that is WAY too much vegemite! i am loyal to my vegemite but it has to be VERY sparing – as a kid i asked for “toast with vegemite spots” so that might give you an idea of how i like it. maybe i am a bit of a wuss though.
anyway, glad you (kinda) liked it!
I just had to comment! I’m a Canadian who grew up with Vegemite (and Marmite), but Vegemite is better and has a better consistency. But you have to put it on cold toast and mix it with butter first and then spread it on. It’s also great with Jacobs cream crackers. We have Cobs Bread here (same as Bakers Delight), but they stopped making vegemite scrolls as not enough people were buying them. My mum just came back from Australia, but her Vegemite was confiscated from her carry on baggage :(
Haha! I got the Vegemite treatment from an Aussie reader a year ago and ended up tossing the almost unused tube last week as I was cleaning the fridge. The Larsson’s are with you on this one John :)
The Tam Tams were delicious though!
Not experiencing Tim Tams is like not seeing the sun! Slight exaggeration but here’s a link for you with some quick facts – http://www.about-australia-shop.com/timtams.htm Hope you can get your hands on them somehow, I’d post them but I don’t know how the chocolate would go on the trip, oh and Pavlova is a big sloppy cake with cream and fruit with meringue holding it all together. Tim Tams are better!
Vegemite is the best (as are tim tams)! What I’ll never understand is peanut butter and jelly. I guess it depends where you grow up.