Marmite History (the long version!)
How it all started
The basic raw material used in the manufacture of Marmite is spent brewer's yeast, a
substance used to ferment sugars into alcohol. In 1680 a Dutch scientist, Leouwenhoek,
examined this yeast under a microscope and saw that it was composed of tiny spherical
and ovoid cells. The French scientist, Louis Pasteur, realized that these cells were in fact
living plants. Further investigation by a German chemist, Leibig, found that this yeast
could be made into a concentrated food product, which resembled extract of meat in
appearance, smell and color, but was vegetarian.
In 1902 the Marmite Food Company Limited was formed having negotiated the acquisition
of the patents for a yeast extract. The directors set up a small factory in Burton-on-Trent,
center of the British brewing industry, where yeast was readily available. This company
was committed to producing a perfected form of yeast extract for popular consumption.
However, it was found that the yeast they were producing from British beer did not lend
itself to the same treatment as continental yeast where methods of fermentation were
markedly different. New machinery had to be brought in and a series of changes in the
manufacturing process were implemented before a satisfactory product was ready to
market. It took a couple of years to perfect the recipe and it took time to bowl over the
British public with the distinctive taste of Marmite. Even so, the Marmite brand was
awarded two gold medals in 1903, one at the Universal Food and Cookery Exhibition and
the other at the Grocery Exhibition.
Off to War
The popularity of Marmite grew steadily, necessitating in 1907 the establishment of a new
factory at Camberwell Green, London. The discovery of vitamins in 1912 boosted the
popularity of Marmite, when it was realized that yeast provided a good source of five B
vitamins. Its healthy proposition meant that greater quantities of Marmite were consumed
in hospitals, schools and institutions. By the outbreak of the First World War, Marmite was
an established brand recognized for its nutritious properties. It was thus ideal for the
troops serving overseas in combating the outbreak of beriberi and other prevalent
deficiency diseases. Tons of Marmite were dispatched to war-torn counties.
Marmite has been sold in small earthenware pots from the outset, but towards the end of
the 1920s plans were drawn up to switch to glass jars with metal lids. Why the now
familiar shape of jar was chosen is not known, but it certainly added a distinctive
appearance to accompany the distinctive taste of Marmite. Although the shape of the
label had to be adapted to the new jars, the overall format of design continues with few
modifications. In fact even the original simmering stew pot remains on the label to this day.
There was a major advertising campaign during the 1930's to promote Marmite further.
Central to this promotion was the use of characters whose faces incorporated the word
'good'. This theme was used on giant hoarding posters (bill boards) and display cards for
shop windows, on brochures, recipe books and even paper bags. Marmite promotions
talked about "A small quantity added to the daily diet will ensure that you and your family
are taking sufficient Vitamin B to keep nerves, brain and digestion in proper working
order". It was also during the 1930s that Marmite cubes were first launched. At the
outbreak of the Second World War, the Marmite brand again went into battle, and on the
home front housewives were encouraged to spread Marmite thinly and to 'use it sparingly
just now'. Marmite became a valued dietary supplement in many prisoner-of-war camps.
More recently
By the 1950's, after 50 years of selling Marmite, the company was justly able to claim that
it was a product handed down from generation to generation. The advertising theme at
this time focused on the benefits for children. In 1974 there was a shortage of the familiar
glass jar and thus for a short time Marmite was sold in more standard shaped jars. By
now Marmite had reached cult status, aptly recognized by the outcry when the jar lid was
upgraded from metal to plastic in 1984. Many devotees of Marmite felt the need to keep
the old jars and lids or replace the new plastic lids with the old metal ones. Of course the
true fanatics take their Marmite with them if holidaying abroad. It was in the 1980's that
the 'My Mate Marmite' advertising campaign was launched and in the 1990's 'Love it or
Hate it' advertising campaign was launched.
Since 1934, following the death of the first chairman of the company that produced
Marmite, both the Marmite and Bovril brands have enjoyed a close association, leading to
Marmite Limited becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bovril Limited. Further changes
of ownership ensued and in 1990, CPC (United Kingdom) Limited took over both the Bovril
and Marmite brands. Since taking over the brand in 1990, CPC (United Kingdom) Limited
(name changed in 1998 to Best Foods Inc) continued to vigorously support Marmite - a 4
million pound promotional budget in 1996 alone, for example - has looked to extend the
brand further. Although formerly abandoned, Marmite stock cubes are a bright idea from
the past which have made a come-back. In addition to its more common role as a
nutritional, savory spread, Marmite is being positioned as a cooking ingredient.
UK sales of meat and vegetable extract pastes amount to £34,466,000 million on a
moving annual total basis. This market is dominated by Marmite yeast extract (a
vegetable extract paste), which took an estimated £23,353,000 million share by value on
a moving annual total basis, with Bovril, a meat extract paste taking £8,424,000. With
sales topping 23.5 million, Marmite is one of the UK's most popular savory spreads,
dominating the meat and vegetable extract market and is heralded for its nutritional
content and unique taste.
What's in the name?
Where does the name "Marmite" come from? A "marmite" is a French stock pot or
cooking pot like the one pictured on the front of the jar and shaped somewhat like the jar
itself. The name of the French pot is pronounced mar-MEET. The product name may
have been derived from a famous French soup, petite marmite. (Back to About Marmite.)
Shop for Marmite...
Sourced, in part, from : Accomodata
How it all started
The basic raw material used in the manufacture of Marmite is spent brewer's yeast, a
substance used to ferment sugars into alcohol. In 1680 a Dutch scientist, Leouwenhoek,
examined this yeast under a microscope and saw that it was composed of tiny spherical
and ovoid cells. The French scientist, Louis Pasteur, realized that these cells were in fact
living plants. Further investigation by a German chemist, Leibig, found that this yeast
could be made into a concentrated food product, which resembled extract of meat in
appearance, smell and color, but was vegetarian.
In 1902 the Marmite Food Company Limited was formed having negotiated the acquisition
of the patents for a yeast extract. The directors set up a small factory in Burton-on-Trent,
center of the British brewing industry, where yeast was readily available. This company
was committed to producing a perfected form of yeast extract for popular consumption.
However, it was found that the yeast they were producing from British beer did not lend
itself to the same treatment as continental yeast where methods of fermentation were
markedly different. New machinery had to be brought in and a series of changes in the
manufacturing process were implemented before a satisfactory product was ready to
market. It took a couple of years to perfect the recipe and it took time to bowl over the
British public with the distinctive taste of Marmite. Even so, the Marmite brand was
awarded two gold medals in 1903, one at the Universal Food and Cookery Exhibition and
the other at the Grocery Exhibition.
Off to War
The popularity of Marmite grew steadily, necessitating in 1907 the establishment of a new
factory at Camberwell Green, London. The discovery of vitamins in 1912 boosted the
popularity of Marmite, when it was realized that yeast provided a good source of five B
vitamins. Its healthy proposition meant that greater quantities of Marmite were consumed
in hospitals, schools and institutions. By the outbreak of the First World War, Marmite was
an established brand recognized for its nutritious properties. It was thus ideal for the
troops serving overseas in combating the outbreak of beriberi and other prevalent
deficiency diseases. Tons of Marmite were dispatched to war-torn counties.
Marmite has been sold in small earthenware pots from the outset, but towards the end of
the 1920s plans were drawn up to switch to glass jars with metal lids. Why the now
familiar shape of jar was chosen is not known, but it certainly added a distinctive
appearance to accompany the distinctive taste of Marmite. Although the shape of the
label had to be adapted to the new jars, the overall format of design continues with few
modifications. In fact even the original simmering stew pot remains on the label to this day.
There was a major advertising campaign during the 1930's to promote Marmite further.
Central to this promotion was the use of characters whose faces incorporated the word
'good'. This theme was used on giant hoarding posters (bill boards) and display cards for
shop windows, on brochures, recipe books and even paper bags. Marmite promotions
talked about "A small quantity added to the daily diet will ensure that you and your family
are taking sufficient Vitamin B to keep nerves, brain and digestion in proper working
order". It was also during the 1930s that Marmite cubes were first launched. At the
outbreak of the Second World War, the Marmite brand again went into battle, and on the
home front housewives were encouraged to spread Marmite thinly and to 'use it sparingly
just now'. Marmite became a valued dietary supplement in many prisoner-of-war camps.
More recently
By the 1950's, after 50 years of selling Marmite, the company was justly able to claim that
it was a product handed down from generation to generation. The advertising theme at
this time focused on the benefits for children. In 1974 there was a shortage of the familiar
glass jar and thus for a short time Marmite was sold in more standard shaped jars. By
now Marmite had reached cult status, aptly recognized by the outcry when the jar lid was
upgraded from metal to plastic in 1984. Many devotees of Marmite felt the need to keep
the old jars and lids or replace the new plastic lids with the old metal ones. Of course the
true fanatics take their Marmite with them if holidaying abroad. It was in the 1980's that
the 'My Mate Marmite' advertising campaign was launched and in the 1990's 'Love it or
Hate it' advertising campaign was launched.
Since 1934, following the death of the first chairman of the company that produced
Marmite, both the Marmite and Bovril brands have enjoyed a close association, leading to
Marmite Limited becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bovril Limited. Further changes
of ownership ensued and in 1990, CPC (United Kingdom) Limited took over both the Bovril
and Marmite brands. Since taking over the brand in 1990, CPC (United Kingdom) Limited
(name changed in 1998 to Best Foods Inc) continued to vigorously support Marmite - a 4
million pound promotional budget in 1996 alone, for example - has looked to extend the
brand further. Although formerly abandoned, Marmite stock cubes are a bright idea from
the past which have made a come-back. In addition to its more common role as a
nutritional, savory spread, Marmite is being positioned as a cooking ingredient.
UK sales of meat and vegetable extract pastes amount to £34,466,000 million on a
moving annual total basis. This market is dominated by Marmite yeast extract (a
vegetable extract paste), which took an estimated £23,353,000 million share by value on
a moving annual total basis, with Bovril, a meat extract paste taking £8,424,000. With
sales topping 23.5 million, Marmite is one of the UK's most popular savory spreads,
dominating the meat and vegetable extract market and is heralded for its nutritional
content and unique taste.
What's in the name?
Where does the name "Marmite" come from? A "marmite" is a French stock pot or
cooking pot like the one pictured on the front of the jar and shaped somewhat like the jar
itself. The name of the French pot is pronounced mar-MEET. The product name may
have been derived from a famous French soup, petite marmite. (Back to About Marmite.)
Shop for Marmite...
Sourced, in part, from : Accomodata
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