[Sca-cooks] Vegemite

[Stefan li Rous]

Maire said:
> Somewhere in the back of my primordial
> brain, I have this idea that it's made from yeast? brewer's yeast?

Correct. Here is a post I ran across reading some old digests recently.
--
THLord  Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
Mark S. Harris             Austin, Texas         stefan at texas.net
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****

> Date: Wed, 03 May 2000 12:00:21 +1000
> From: Lorix <lorix at trump.net.au>
> Subject: Re: SC - vegemite
>
> Donna Ford wrote:
> >
> > http://www.vegemite.com.au/
> > --
> > evfemia
> > Barony of Iron Mountain, Meridies
>
> I thought some of you might be interested, so in the interests of knowledge what
> follows is just about everything you might want to know about vegemite (and
> probably lots you didn't want to know ;-) but were afraid to ask.  Most of it is
> obtained off various web sites devoted to the stuff.  Most notably the
> 'official' web site at:  http://www.vegemite.com.au
>
> YIS,
> Lorix
>
> *****************************
> THE HISTORY OF VEGEMITE
>
> Yeast extract is not only good for you, it's tasty as well. That's why, in 1922,
> a young Australian by the name of Fred Walker, decided to try to make a special
> "yeast extract" that would be as delicious as it was nourishing.
>
> The chief scientist in the company Fred owned, was Dr. Cyril Callister, and it
> was Dr. Callister who "invented" the first Vegemite spread. He used brewer's
> yeast from Carlton & United Breweries, and blended the yeast extract with
> ingredients like celery and onions, and salt to make a thick dark paste.
>
> Fred Walker's new product didn't have a name, so he held a trade name
> competition to find it one, and in 1923, Dr. Callister's paste became
> "Vegemite".
>
> Later on, in World War 2, soldiers, sailors, and the civilian population all had
> Vegemite included in their rations, and it got so popular it fell into short
> supply.
>
> Fred Walker and Company Pty Ltd became KRAFT Foods Limited in 1950, but Vegemite
> will probably always be Vegemite. After all, it celebrated its 60th anniversary
> in October 1983, and to mark the occasion, they put a plaque opposite the site
> of Fred's original factory in Melbourne.
> *****************************
>
> VEGEMITE THEME SONG:
> "We're happy little Vegemites as bright as bright can be
> We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea
> Our mummy says we're growing stronger every single week
>      Because we love our Vegemite,
>      We all adore our Vegemite,
>      It puts a rose in every cheek."
>
> *******************************
>
> DIETARY & INGREDIENT INFORMATION
> Basically, the original recipe has virtually remained
> unchanged.
>
> Yeast is known for its natural source of the vitamin B complex
> which includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid,
> pyridoxine, biotin, p-amino benzoic acid and several other
> factors.
>
> Yeast extract because it is four or five times more concentrated
> than yeast, is therefore one of the richest known sources of
> the vitamin B group. In addition to being vitamin B rich, yeast
> extract also contains other essential constituents such as
> protein and minerals, making Vegemite an excellent addition to
> the family diet.
>
> A spread of Vegemite (5g) on a slice of bread will provide the
> following percentages of daily vitamin needs:
> % Proportion of Recommended  Daily Intake (RDI) per 5g & Per 100g
> Thiamin:                    50%                         11.0mg
> Niacin:                    25%                          50.0mg
> Riboflavin:                25%                           8.6mg
>
>
> Thiamin
> (B1) plays an essential role in converting
> carbohydrates to energy, as well as being
> important for growth and normal functioning
> of the nervous system and heart.
>
> Riboflavin
> (B2) is also important for the release of
> energy from foods, in particular protein
> metabolism. Riboflavin is essential for the
> development and repair of tissues, including
> the skin and eyes and is necessary for
> growth.
>
> Niacin
> (B3) is necessary for normal energy
> metabolism.
>
> Good Source of Folate
> Folate is another B group vitamin with
> several important functions. Folate is
> essential for the formation of red blood cells
> and the production of enzymes and other
> body proteins. A deficiency in folate results
> in a type of anaemia, which can cause
> weakness, tiredness, diarrhoea and weight
> loss. In babies and young children growth
> may be affected.
>
> Folate also plays a vital role in the growth of
> a developing embryo. Research has revealed
> that the risk of having a baby with a neural
> tube defect can be reduced up to 70% if
> women increase their intake of folate.
>
> Low in Fat & Kilojoules
> Vegemite is fat free and low in kilojoules,
> supplying only 38kj per teaspoon.