Marmageddon is here!!

You may remember my recent post in praise of Marmite. Well, luckily I got my stocks safely delivered at Christmas, because due to the after-effects of the Christchurch earthquake, New Zealand has hit "Peak Marmite" and gone into a serious tail-spin, with no more Marmite to be produced until July.

Some highlights from articles on the subject from the country's biggest newspaper:

"It was one simple warning - ration Marmite and yet it has sent the country into a spin as 'Marmageddon' takes hold."

"Sanitarium is urging consumers not to "freak out" as it works to relocate its Marmite manufacturing facilities to a safer part of the Christchurch site."

"Social network websites went into a frenzy yesterday when the news broke that consumers needed to ration their Marmite usage, and now almost 100 jars are up for sale on TradeMe."

The story even made headline news on CNN (a friend of mine who is in PR was apparently called for a comment - she's not the person named in the story though).

You can even watch a Canadian video about Marmageddon or a video of Kiwis trying to identify Marmite in a blind taste test.

And in case you wondered,

"Prime Minister John Key is among thousands of Kiwis having to ration their Marmite, as 'Marmageddon' enters its second day."

Yep, the Prime Minister has commented on the Marmpocalypse. And, confirming my low opinion of him, he thinks Vegemite's just as good. Exactly what I'd expect from someone with a history of traitorous behaviour towards his own country.

Skyrockets in flight...

AFTERNOON MARMITE!




Ha ha, my Mum and Dad brought me over a few jars of Marmite from New Zealand, and I'm pretty pleased about that. For our American friends who might not know, it's everyone's favourite yeast spread made from byproducts of the brewing process! (And yes, it does have competition in that category!) It is not the same as yucky Vegemite by any means. People who didn't grow up with Marmite usually think it's gross, but you're wrong. If nothing else, you've got to admire a product that's not afraid to write "yeast spread" front and centre on its label.

For our English friends - NZ Marmite tastes different from UK Marmite. And by "different", I mean "better". I suppose you can't tell from the photo, but it is darker in colour, thicker in consistency, and most important, yummier. I was mucho disappointo the first time I went to the UK and was disabused of the notion that our Marmites would taste the same. Now I do my best to keep my own stock in hand.