Australia’s Vegemite gets 1st makeover in 85 years
Posted: 06/14/2009 11:11:54 PM PDT
ADELAIDE, Australia—The iconic Australian food spread Vegemite is getting a makeover.
Kraft Foods Australia announced Sunday that a creamier variation of the product would be on store shelves July 5 alongside the original, which has been a staple in pantries Down Under almost since its invention here in 1922.
“With such a well-loved, iconic brand, we wouldn’t create something using the Vegemite name unless we were absolutely sure Australians would love it,” said Simon Talbot, Kraft Australia’s head of corporate affairs.
Vegemite—a salty, slightly bitter spread made from brewer’s yeast—is such a part of Australian lifestyle that it even made mention as a sandwich in the 1980s hit song “Down Under” by Men at Work. Australians spread it on toast or crackers, top it with tomatoes or avocados, use it to flavor soups and gravies, pack a jar when traveling and write home for more when living abroad.