Marmite and its Burton Roots-00-3900

As far as Burton business goes, Marmite is one of the biggest names to be introduced and produced in the region, along with beer from Marston's Brewery and Branston Pickle, originally from the nearby suburb of Branston, but now made elsewhere. So, what is it about Marmite that gets us so excited and just how long has it been around?

Big Burton Business Marmite!

Marmite was first produced in 1902 in Burton when the Marmite Food Company was first set up. It took a few years of hits and misses for the company as they perfected their recipe and the public took just as long to get used to the distinctive taste of the savoury spread. The by-product needed in the production of Marmite was originally produced in Bass Brewery in Burton and by 1907 another factory had opened up in London. The spread resembles a meat taste but it is actually 100% vegetarian and is made primarily from a yeast extract.

The original factory in Burton was small and employed just a handful of people but after World War One, many people began to warm to the taste and the factory soon grew in size and production levels. Ration packs for soldiers often contained Marmite due to its vitamin B source and went on to be part of a dietary supplement for soldiers fighting in World War Two as well as being used as a morale booster for those serving in Kosovo in 1999.

Advertising Marmite

While Burton is a relatively small town it has always been famous for its factories and production lines and Marmite is one of the most famous Burton business links in the world! While you may not find Marmite for sale in the local Burton classified ads, you will find it in local shops and over the years there have been many different adverts marketing the spread.

The 1970s saw the slogan The growing up spread you never grow out of" while the 1980s welcomed the famous My mate Marmite" ads that are still firmly etched in the minds of anyone around in that particular decade! The Burton business then went on to advertise their spread with the famous slogan Love it or hate it!" and this bold move proved to be a successful one. Even those people who hated Marmite were able to see the trueness of this bold statement!

Interesting Marmite Facts

While laying claim to being one of the most famous brands to be made in Burton, Marmite also has some interesting and little-known facts that are great for impressing Marmite fans with:

People in the UK consume more than 50 per cent of the world's yeast extract mainly from Marmite!
Marmite contains no meat and is high in vitamin B12, niacin and folic acid!
There are only 10 calories found in Marmite per serving and is almost 0 per cent fat!
In France a Marmeet is a cooking pot that produces a stew known as petite marmite and many claim that Marmite comes from this stew!

Modern-day Marmite

Marmite is now available in squeezy jars that have been produced for the last five years. It is still available in the classic glass jars and Marmite now produces rice cakes, breadsticks, cheddar bites, cashew nuts and crisps all with the same distinctive flavour as the spread. If you want to check out the local Burton classified ads for locally produced items for sale then you probably won't find any Marmite but local stores and shops are always home to shelf-fulls of Marmite!