Marmite shortage - can you cope

[Squire Haggard]

I forget that the stuff exists, haven't tried it in decades. Dont know if I loved it or hated it.

''Marmite lovers who haven't been able to buy larger jars of the spread during lockdown can blame the coronavirus.

Unilever, which owns the brand, says it has temporarily stopped producing all pack sizes other than its 250g jar, prompting a flurry of complaints on social media.

The firm blamed surging demand and a shortage of brewer's yeast, a key ingredient.

But it said it had fixed the issues and normal supply would resume soon.''

External Link/Members Only

[winkywanky]

I forget that the stuff exists, haven't tried it in decades. Dont know if I loved it or hated it.

''Marmite lovers who haven't been able to buy larger jars of the spread during lockdown can blame the coronavirus.

Unilever, which owns the brand, says it has temporarily stopped producing all pack sizes other than its 250g jar, prompting a flurry of complaints on social media.

The firm blamed surging demand and a shortage of brewer's yeast, a key ingredient.

But it said it had fixed the issues and normal supply would resume soon.''

External Link/Members Only

No problem in my local Aldi? 

I have a 250g jar in my cupboard as I write (I just went to check the size  ). Unless you have a serious Marmite-abuse problem a 250g jar will last for weeks, even with a small family.

And if you're a solo-indulger like myself it could last for months, it never goes off (within reason) so no problem.

[mr.bluesky]

I don't think I will loose any sleep over it. I can't stand the stuff 

[David1970]

Forget about the pandemic, financial Armageddon looming, a government that could not organise a piss up in a brewery, unrest in the streets over racism, we have finally an important story for the British press.
Can wait for the headlines in the Express ( national disgrace ), the editorials in the Mail( it will be the fault of black, lefty foreign homosexuals).

[Ssoap]

Aldi & Tesco do cheaper own brand alternatives

[winkywanky]

Aldi & Tesco do cheaper own brand alternatives

They're not as good IMO.

I am a Marmite connoisseur, after all 

[Fuzzyduck]

Forget about the pandemic, financial Armageddon looming, a government that could not organise a piss up in a brewery, unrest in the streets over racism, we have finally an important story for the British press.
Can wait for the headlines in the Express ( national disgrace ), the editorials in the Mail( it will be the fault of black, lefty foreign homosexuals).

+1

I appreciate the BBC trying to give us something else to talk about but what a piss-poor effort. Those desperate souls on twitter don't need 400g packs (quite frankly who does?), they need a reality slap and professional help.

[winkywanky]

I actually think you're all missing the point, which is that the Marmite shortage is an allegory for the BLM business.

You either love it or you hate it.

[Blackpool Rock]

They're not as good IMO.

I am a Marmite connoisseur, after all 

I tend to buy the Tesco one as it's cheaper, personally I can't tell any difference, same shape jar etc I recon it's identical but with a different label on it 

[threechilliman]

They're not as good IMO.

I am a Marmite connoisseur, after all 

I agree.

[martini2429]

Sorry, but it has to be Bovril 

 

[winkywanky]

I tend to buy the Tesco one as it's cheaper, personally I can't tell any difference, same shape jar etc I recon it's identical but with a different label on it 

I think it's a popular misconception that a lot of own-brand versions 'come from the same factory' as the original. They don't, and I can't remember an example of where one was 'found out'?

What happens is that food technologists from large supermarkets analyse as best they can an exisiting consumer favourite. Then they approach various foodstuffs manufacturers to see how good a copy they can make. When they get it good enough, they package it in such a way that they get as close to the original's packaging without quite falling foul of copyright laws.

[AnthG]

I think it's a popular misconception that a lot of own-brand versions 'come from the same factory' as the original. They don't, and I can't remember an example of where one was 'found out'?

Asda exposed: Weetabix makes supermarket's cereal at almost half price

External Link/Members Only

External Link/Members Only

And not the same thing, but I remember this caused quite a stir at the time.

External Link/Members Only

The stuff you buy at Waitrose for double the price, is often identical to the stuff bought at Aldi with just different packaging on and a huge markup.

[The Film Director]

Those desperate souls on twitter don't need 400g packs

Ehem, just checked on my 500g jar and it's getting worryingly low.  Gonna march on Sainsbury's forthwith.

[winkywanky]

Asda exposed: Weetabix makes supermarket's cereal at almost half price

External Link/Members Only

External Link/Members Only

And not the same thing, but I remember this caused quite a stir at the time.

External Link/Members Only

The stuff you buy at Waitrose for double the price, is often identical to the stuff bought at Aldi with just different packaging on and a huge markup.

  ha ha, shot down in flames    .

Shopping as I do at Aldi, I'm certainly not some brand-bitch. I do prefer the original Marmite, and yes I have tried others.

One thing to note is that the recipe or formula can be different, as pointed out in those articles.

Just how much different, is anyone's guess, and always worth trying an own-brand if it's cheaper. I'm currently enjoying Aldi Gold Label tea because at the time PG Tips wasn't available. You notice the difference with the first few cups but then you adapt to the new normal.

I shall be going back to PG Tips by the way, because it does have a fresher, lighter taste.

[Strawberry]

No problem in my local Aldi? 

I have a 250g jar in my cupboard as I write (I just went to check the size  ). Unless you have a serious Marmite-abuse problem a 250g jar will last for weeks, even with a small family.

And if you're a solo-indulger like myself it could last for months, it never goes off (within reason) so no problem.

Once upon a time I was proffered a ten year old jar, which was blacker than the darkest brown marmite and set almost like concrete.

Fresh jar in my cupboard just before lockdown is still there, still full I've not finished the previous one yet. Should be applied thinly unless tastebuds are anaesthetised.

[Strawberry]

  ha ha, shot down in flames    .

Shopping as I do at Aldi, I'm certainly not some brand-bitch. I do prefer the original Marmite, and yes I have tried others.

One thing to note is that the recipe or formula can be different, as pointed out in those articles.

Just how much different, is anyone's guess, and always worth trying an own-brand if it's cheaper. I'm currently enjoying Aldi Gold Label tea because at the time PG Tips wasn't available. You notice the difference with the first few cups but then you adapt to the new normal.

I shall be going back to PG Tips by the way, because it does have a fresher, lighter taste.

Some alternatives are absolutely fine others just aren't worth it, can't remember trying alternative Marmite did try some Vecon years ago - nasty stuff.

Aldi have just arrived in town recently, having heard about their coffee I was not tempted on my opening day trip and not been back since. Might do when I finish the cans of Sublime Lime Diet Coke. Speaking of which supermarket colas in my experience are usually not the same as Coca Cola or Pepsi, there's a strange taste to them bitter but with a sort of flatness.

[winkywanky]

Once upon a time I was proffered a ten year old jar, which was blacker than the darkest brown marmite and set almost like concrete.

Fresh jar in my cupboard just before lockdown is still there, still full I've not finished the previous one yet. Should be applied thinly unless tastebuds are anaesthetised.

To be fair I doubt if many things can ever be fresh after ten years, perhaps apart from a mummified Pharaoh?

[winkywanky]

Some alternatives are absolutely fine others just aren't worth it, can't remember trying alternative Marmite did try some Vecon years ago - nasty stuff.

Aldi have just arrived in town recently, having heard about their coffee I was not tempted on my opening day trip and not been back since. Might do when I finish the cans of Sublime Lime Diet Coke. Speaking of which supermarket colas in my experience are usually not the same as Coca Cola or Pepsi, there's a strange taste to them bitter but with a sort of flatness.

Aldi's fresh-ground and full-bean coffees aren't bad. All Fairtrade and I think about £1 for 200g? I'm a bit of a coffee nut with a machine though, so it's Tesco Finest Sumatra Mandheling for me, which incidentally, knocks spots off the big name-brands like Starbucks and Lavazza beans which they also carry, and are more expensive.

[AnthG]

There is a website that reviews and compares the supermarket own-brand items to the real thing.

External Link/Members Only

Just put in the search box what you are after and all the own brands come up with scores out of 10.

[winkywanky]

There is a website that reviews and compares the supermarket own-brand items to the real thing.

External Link/Members Only

Just put in the search box what you are after and all the own brands come up with scores out of 10.

Tnaks Anth, hereinafter known as Mr. Thrifty, and why not?   

[AnthG]

Tnaks Anth, hereinafter known as Mr. Thrifty, and why not?   

I found it, as you may guess, after looking for good own brand Vodka for a punt. The girl loved Vodka, I hated the idea of paying £30 for a big bottle of grey goose. So bought Lidls triple distilled for £11 that got 10/10 and asked her to do a blind Pepsi challenge during the punt with that, Grey Goose and Russian Standard. The Lidls one came out on top.

I was sold from then on in.

[winkywanky]

Anth, if you were at all savvy you'd buy the cheaper stuff and put it in the fancy bottle.

That way, WG happy, better punt all-round 

[Head1]

I wasn’t looking properly and it wasn’t till I opened the jar ..........

Hidden Image/Members Only

[GingerNuts]

Anth, if you were at all savvy you'd buy the cheaper stuff and put it in the fancy bottle.

That way, WG happy, better punt all-round 

If WGs are savvy they won't drink out of unsealed bottles provided by a punter.

[Fuzzyduck]

Ehem, just checked on my 500g jar and it's getting worryingly low.  Gonna march on Sainsbury's forthwith.

You didn't strike me as a "I need marmite like oxygen" kind of guy! I can get you a list of understanding therapists if you need one.

[winkywanky]

If WGs are savvy they won't drink out of unsealed bottles provided by a punter.

Good point, they aren't to know Anth's just a great big softy of course.


But if he offered a drink and appeared with a full bottle and unscrewed the top, I doubt they'd know the difference. Most are not savvy.

[Steve2]

I wasn’t looking properly and it wasn’t till I opened the jar ..........

Looks like you added an attachment and it hasn't loaded

[Head1]

Meant to add photo not an attachment 

It's Marmite peanut butter

[Blackpool Rock]

Sorry, but it has to be Bovril 

 

Controversial, surprised nobody has bitten 

I was trying to explain to a Polish guy at work about 2 years ago what Marmite tasted like and said it was most like Bovril, again I can't tell much difference but never had them one after the other to compare properly.

Actually can you still get Bovril 
I believe it got taken off the shelves around the same time as the BSE scare, not sure it ever made it back or at least not as popular

[AnthG]

Meant to add photo not an attachment 

It's Marmite peanut butter

If you like this, then going with the trend of supermarket own brands. I strongly recommend trying the M&S Maple & pecan Peanut butter.

It tastes almost identical to the Marmite Peanut butter but its a fraction of the price. Its lovely stuff and one of my favourite Peanut Butters.

[winkywanky]

Meant to add photo not an attachment 

It's Marmite peanut butter

I've seen that.

It just seems pointless to me, I always have a jar of Marmite in the cupboard, I always have a jar of smooth Sun-Pat in the cupboard.

Occasionally I'll put them both on a slice of bread simultaneously and it's nice, and I'd much rather do it myself and have a swirly mix where there are variations in taste, rather than just some homogenous blob.

[tynetunnel]

Meant to add photo not an attachment 

It's Marmite peanut butter

Ewwww 

[NightKid]

To be fair I doubt if many things can ever be fresh after ten years, perhaps apart from a mummified Pharaoh?

Haven't listened to much 90s hip-hop then, have you?

[scutty brown]

  ha ha, shot down in flames    .

Shopping as I do at Aldi, I'm certainly not some brand-bitch. I do prefer the original Marmite, and yes I have tried others.

One thing to note is that the recipe or formula can be different, as pointed out in those articles.

Just how much different, is anyone's guess, and always worth trying an own-brand if it's cheaper. I'm currently enjoying Aldi Gold Label tea because at the time PG Tips wasn't available. You notice the difference with the first few cups but then you adapt to the new normal.

I shall be going back to PG Tips by the way, because it does have a fresher, lighter taste.

PG Tips? Only fit for monkeys to drink

[scutty brown]

Controversial, surprised nobody has bitten 

I was trying to explain to a Polish guy at work about 2 years ago what Marmite tasted like and said it was most like Bovril, again I can't tell much difference but never had them one after the other to compare properly.

Actually can you still get Bovril 
I believe it got taken off the shelves around the same time as the BSE scare, not sure it ever made it back or at least not as popular

closest thing to Marmite is soy sauce - they're both fermented with a strong umami/MSG taste

and yes - Bovril is still available

[scutty brown]

You didn't strike me as a "I need marmite like oxygen" kind of guy! I can get you a list of understanding axle grease salesmen if you need one.

corrected the typo

[scutty brown]

Some alternatives are absolutely fine others just aren't worth it, can't remember trying alternative Marmite did try some Vecon years ago - nasty stuff.

Aldi have just arrived in town recently, having heard about their coffee I was not tempted on my opening day trip and not been back since. Might do when I finish the cans of Sublime Lime Diet Coke. Speaking of which supermarket colas in my experience are usually not the same as Coca Cola or Pepsi, there's a strange taste to them bitter but with a sort of flatness.

The strange taste is due to caramel produced through treating sugar with sulphuric acid instead of simply heating the sugar

[yandex]

I tend to buy the Tesco one as it's cheaper, personally I can't tell any difference, same shape jar etc I recon it's identical but with a different label on it 

I bet you buy the supermarket toilet roll and say 'mmm, soft and strong just like Andrex' seconds before your finger goes through!

There's no Marmite like the real Marmite. The special edition XO stiff they do is even better

[winkywanky]

Haven't listened to much 90s hip-hop then, have you?

Listen sunshine, I still think 70s Rock is fresh, bloody youngsters...    

[NightKid]

Listen sunshine, I still think 70s Rock is fresh, bloody youngsters...    

Haha, I did consider that also. However, if I were to describe the Zeps in one word, I'm not sure if "fresh" would be the word I'd use though ... 

[winkywanky]

Cock rock never dies 

[WASA38]

It just seems pointless to me, I always have a jar of Marmite in the cupboard, I always have a jar of smooth Sun-Pat in the cupboard.

Occasionally I'll put them both on a slice of bread simultaneously and it's nice, and I'd much rather do it myself and have a swirly mix where there are variations in taste, rather than just some homogenous blob.

I do exactly the same except on toast rather than bread. You're the first  person I've encountered who likes it. Everyone else considers it disgusting.

Anyone tried the Aussie equivalent, Vegemite, which I've seen on sale in, I think, Sainsbury's ?

[winkywanky]

Vegemite's not as good 

[Beamer]

I do exactly the same except on toast rather than bread. You're the first  person I've encountered who likes it. Everyone else considers it disgusting.

Anyone tried the Aussie equivalent, Vegemite, which I've seen on sale in, I think, Sainsbury's ?

Brand leader in Australia but still an awful taste.
You love it !!!
I hate it !!!

[winkywanky]

So here's an interesting one: you either love or hate Marmite.

But whichever of those you feel towards Marmite, could you feel the opposite for Vegemite?

Hmm...

[MilleMiglia]

Aldi's fresh-ground and full-bean coffees aren't bad. All Fairtrade and I think about £1 for 200g? I'm a bit of a coffee nut with a machine though, so it's Tesco Finest Sumatra Mandheling for me, which incidentally, knocks spots off the big name-brands like Starbucks and Lavazza beans which they also carry, and are more expensive.

Grumpy Mule for me!

[threechilliman]

I do exactly the same except on toast rather than bread. You're the first  person I've encountered who likes it. Everyone else considers it disgusting.

Anyone tried the Aussie equivalent, Vegemite, which I've seen on sale in, I think, Sainsbury's ?

I'm all for marmite and peanut butter on toast