Noah's Dad

Ever heard of Vegemite?

I hadn’t until being introduced to it by our friend from Australia, Libby. Apparently they eat this stuff like peanut butter over there! In fact, based on all the conversations I’ve had with people from Down Under I kind of think all they eat over there is Vegemite and Tim Tams! (Hmmm…I wonder if anyone has ever tried Vegemite on their Tim Tams? Maybe I’m on to something?!)

Vegemite; A Different Kind Of Peanut Butter.

Libby was kind enough to send us a tube of Vegemite along with the delicious Tim Tams that we devoured savored. (Parent ProTip: If you’re going to give your 14 month old a Tim Tam, at 8 pm, in his bedroom, on the carpet, be sure to lay down a towel first.) 

If you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy that fine Aussie treat known as Vegemite I don’t think there’s any way I can adequately describe it to you. Trust me when I say it’s something you really do have to experience for yourself. (Maybe I’ll try to import some so I can do a giveaway!)

Since I can’t really describe it to you, I thought I’d tell you the ingredients and let your imagination do the rest.

“Vegemite is one of several yeast extract spreads sold in Australia. It is made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract and various vegetable and spice additives. It is very dark reddish-brown, almost black, in color, and one of the richest sources known of Vitamin B. It’s thick like peanut butter, it’s very salty…”

I don’t know what kind of peanut butter they eat in Australia, but Vegemite doesn’t taste like any peanut butter I’ve ever had. 

It’s All In The  Method, Or So I’m Told.

Just like the other famous Australian treat, The Tim Tam, certain methods must be used if one is to fully enjoy their Vegemite. (In case you weren’t aware there are several ways for one to fully enjoy a Tim Tam. There’s the Tim Tam Slam, the Tim Tam Shotgun, the Tim Tam Bomb, and the Tim Tam Explosion. I went with the more simple method of simply stuffing them into my mouth.) 

“Hmmm..I wonder if that’s something I can eat…?”

Apparently the proper method of enjoying Vegemite is as follows:

• Toast a slice of bread.
• Place a small amount of butter on the toast.
• Spread a “small” layer of Vegemite across that warm, buttery, toast.
• Enjoy your Vegemite.

Of course I have no idea what a small layer means. Does small = the size of a pin drop, a teaspoon, a tablespoon, or some special Aussie measurement, Not to mention that a small bowl of rocky rock ice cream to me, is not the same as asmall bowl of rocky road ice cream to most. 

Regardless, since there was no picture of what was meant by a small layer of Vegemite on the back of the package, we just winged it.

Looks like a “small layer” to me. 

And judging by the look on Noah’s face, I think we did alright. 

I think he likes it, don’t you? 

If You Can Eat It, Noah Will Try It!

I’m not really surprised Noah slammed his Vegemite toast; there isn’t much this little boy doesn’t like. A lot of children don’t like to eat certain textures of food. Not Noah. He’s like our little goat, and will eat anything he get put in his mouth.

Well, almost anything. For some strange reason he’s recently started spitting out mashed potatoes of all things. It’s super random. He’s always enjoyed them. Then one day, out of the blue, he just decided he didn’t want that stuff anywhere near his mouth. Funny, huh?

“Hmmm, what’s that?”

“It’s Vegemite you say? I don’t mind if I do.”

“Hmmmm. I’m not quite sure. Maybe if I had just a little bit more…”

“Ahhh..there you go! I like it!”

After Noah finished up his Aussie snack I dared my wife to try some. Which she did. Then she dared me to have some. And I did….

Let’s just say my experience wasn’t quite the same as my Noah’s!

“More please!”

I hear Vegemite is an acquired taste…but I think I’ll just stick to the Tim Tams. 

Have you or your children ever had Vegemite? Are you a fan, or not so much? Also are there any kinds  of food textures that your kids won’t touch with a ten foot pole? What are some ways you’ve helped them overcome that? Leave a comment below and tell us about it.