What the Food?
Welcome to What the Food?—the history and comedy podcast that dives into the weird, wild, and fascinating history of food, drinks, and dining cultures around the world. We’re Miles, Andy, and Dom—just three friends with a love for food and a knack for uncovering its untold stories. From surprising food origins to the moments that shaped how we eat, we uncover the strange, unexpected, and often hilarious history behind what ends up on our plates. Join us on our next culinary adventure through time!
What the Food?
Marmite: A British Obsession Loved and Hated
In this episode, we're diving knife-first into the polarizing pot of Marmite, the yeasty spread that splits opinions as sharply as Brexit, blue steak or having a poo at work. Love it or hate it, Marmite’s rich history and distinctive flavor make it a British icon worth exploring.
From its inception in the breweries of Burton-upon-Trent to becoming a staple in wartime rations, Marmite's journey is as sticky as its texture. We’ll try our best to uncover how a German scientist’s discovery led to this nutrient-packed spread, and how Marmite became a crucial morale booster in the trenches of World War I.
We also explore Marmite's clever marketing which embraces its divisive nature with the legendary "Love it or hate it" campaign, turning this quirky spread into a cultural phenomenon. Grab your toast, because we're spreading the love (or hate) for Marmite!
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Theme music: “Celebration” by Alexander Nakarada. Available for use under the CC BY 4.0 license (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)