Australian minister fights for his Vegemite in U.S.

[AsahinaKimi]

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Australia's foreign minister said American authorities tried to confiscate his supply of Vegemite as he entered the U.S. It's the second time this year that Australia's signature yeast extract spread has sparked high-level -- if lighthearted -- diplomatic disagreement.

Foreign Minster Kevin Rudd tweeted Sunday that airport authorities in New York had questioned his bringing in the dark brown paste, a byproduct of brewing beer that is popular among many Australians on sandwiches, toast and crackers but is widely recognized as an acquired taste.

"Only problem traveling to NY is that they tried to confiscate our Vegemite at the airport. Needed Foreign Ministerial intervention," Rudd tweeted from New York.

"Airport staff were surprised when I said it is good for you & I ate it for breakfast. They then waved me through," he added.


http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/odd/news/20110919p2g00m0in078000c.html

[Kolesar]

1. Martha Quinn tried Vegemite on MTV

To explain the mysterious lyrics by Men at Work

I said "do you speak-a my language?"
He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich
Do you come from the land "down under"?

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Well, it IS toxic waste.

I mean, have you tasted the stuff? It tastes like food what's already been et.

[formercia]

3. Pretty nasty stuff

Definitely an acquired taste.

[Denninmi]

4. Ironic, a grocery store 2 miles from my house sells it.

Here in Metro Detroit, Hiller's Supermarkets, a local chain of upscale markets with a heavy emphasis on gourmet, ethnic, specialty, international, and organic products, carries Vegemite, along with its English cousin Marmite.

Back in the day, I thought Men at Work had a cool sound, but I was never tempted to try Vegemite. The brewer's yeast I feed to my beehives in the spring as a protein supplement is nasty, I've tasted that a few times. Can't imagine mixing it into a paste and slathering on bread.

[arbusto_baboso]

5. Actually, Marmite isn't too bad.

In fact, a little bit added to gravy brings out some great flavors.

But Vegemite? Hideous.

[Michigan-Arizona]

6. My mother came here as a war bride & missed her vegemite

I think Vegemite was what she missed the most after family when she left Australia. I tried it a few year's back & it is so nasty. When relatives come for a visit they all bring a few jar's with them. Yuck!