To think they’ve messed up Marmite?

[Shoppingwithmother]

I’ve loved Marmite literally since I was a baby.

I’ve noticed that in recent years the consistency of Marmite seems to have become much thicker. If you use normal standard Marmite from a jar, it more or less stays on your knife in a solid lump and doesn’t spread onto the buttered bread or toast at all. It never used to be like that!

The solution over the last few years I’ve found is to buy Squeezy Marmite, which is like normal Marmite used to be in consistency. However, a) you waste loads of it and it’s messy trying to get the last bit out of the jar, and, more importantly, b) since a few months into the pandemic you don’t seem to be able to buy it anywhere any more. I did read that there was a supply issue with Marmite, and they seem to have stopped making the Squeezy one.

AIBU to be fed up about this? Is it just me or do other people think that normal Marmite has changed for the worse?

Have also been a marmite lover since birth, but have been converted to the delicious meatiness of Bovril I'm afraid. 10 or 15 seconds in the microwave should sort your spreading problems

Yeah, I like Bovril too, both to drink and on toast. I wouldn’t have it in a sandwich though.

@8090sTv agree on the marmite/ philli combo! Marmite and banana is a good one too 🙌

I've not noticed any difference with it. It's always been more viscous than bovril but less than chocolate spread (or vegemite!) recently bought some for the first time in 3 years and had no unpleasant surprises.

Just sounds like its a bit cold..?

Marmite is the food of the Gods and if they ever messed with it, I'd revolt.

@THisbackwithavengeance

I like aldi marmite, much softer and tastes more or less the same.

Same here. It's much easier to spread, and it tastes just like Marmite. It's a lot cheaper too.

I’ve definitely noticed a difference. I had it today in fact and was ripping my toast trying to spread it. I always keep my kitchen on the cool side (never turn the radiator on) and never had this problem before.

Had this conversation with my DP a couple of days ago. We have both Marmite and Sainsbury's yeast extract at the moment so I did a blind taste test with him and the verdict was that the Sainsbury's yeast extract has a rounder flavour, though both met with approval.
In terms of texture, I think Marmite was always a little thicker than the own brand yeast extracts I've tried, but I would agree that it has gone much thicker, and is now pretty hard to spread.

I read this article which is from 2015, suggesting this not a new thing and that perhaps the recipe does vary:
www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/aug/10/the-great-marmite-conspiracy-has-it-secretly-changed-its-recipe

How long do you occasional eaters keep a jar for? I’m the only one who likes it and go thro phases. A jar could last months. That can’t be good.

Tesco yeast extract is perfect spreadable consistency.

Love marmite but now I prefer the Tesco version

Haven’t noticed difference really - maybe at bottom of pot so may also be linked to how long it’s open.

Love the stuff. Also now addicted to marmite houmous from Sainsbury’s.

I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference and I’m a life long marmite lover!

I bought Tesco own brand when they had sold out of the real stuff. I couldn’t eat it, it doesn’t taste anything like marmite to me.
Might try Aldi next time I’m in though.

In winter my marmite is firm
In summer it’s spreadable
It’s just a temperature thing

That's why I don't buy marmite any more
I buy Aldi's own version

And I now want some on toast but it's near on 10.30pm

I switched to vegemite which is easier to spread

My dh is obsessed with marmite. But, dh has discovered Aldi’s own version. It gets a massive thumbs up.
Vegemite is shit. I’ve lived in Oz and quite frankly don’t understand the fascination.

Put the knife in boiling water for a few seconds first!

Aldis own is rank!

Branded marmite all the way for me, always loved it, I can eat spoonfuls of the stuff. And a summer/winter kitchen can change the consistency.

At the moment- M&S marmite hot cross buns with butter and of course actual marmite. OMG!

@capercaillie

Haven’t noticed difference really - maybe at bottom of pot so may also be linked to how long it’s open.

Love the stuff. Also now addicted to marmite houmous from Sainsbury’s.

Oh the marmite houmous is absolutely devine! One pot lasted all of an hour!

Also love the marmite peanut butter 😊

I always buy Tesco own brand yeast extract. It tastes exactly the same. It's cheaper and it's gluten free so my Coeliac family can eat it.

Marmite has changed i had a big stash of tiny jars which has just ran out... Got some more from the shops and oh no its gone wrong... Thick as unsticky tar and half the taste has gone.. Another Unilever penny pinching trick... My taste buds are olympic level and im not going to be told any different.. Its half the mite it used to be...