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Justus von Liebig (1803–1873) -

German scientist Justus von Liebig is the man responsible for giving the world Marmite, or at least developing a manufacturing process for the production of beef and yeast extract.

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Founder of organic chemistry -

In fact, Liebig is considered the founder of organic chemistry. This illustration shows his laboratory at Giessen, Germany in 1840.

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Oxo -

His company, Liebig's Extract of Meat Company, is the originator of Oxo meat extracts and Oxo beef stock cubes. Liebig also began producing tinned corned beef, which is still sold under the label Fray Bentos.

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Made in marmites -

Liebig's discovery that brewer's yeast could be concentrated, bottled, and eaten eventually led to the founding in 1902 of the Marmite Food Extract Company in Burton upon Trent, a town in Staffordshire, England. The product was initially manufactured in pots called marmites (pictured).

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What's in a name? -

The image on the front of the Marmite jar shows a marmite, a French term for a large, covered traditional earthenware or metal cooking pot. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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On sale -

Marmite was originally supplied to the public in ceramic pots. However, since the 1920s, the paste has been sold in glass jars. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Royal approval -

HRH Prince Philip sniffing a solution of the famous spread inside the Marmite factory on a visit to Burton upon Trent in 2002.

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What exactly is Marmite? -

Marmite is a sticky, dark brown food paste with a distinctive, powerful flavor that is extremely salty. It's often spread simply on toast or as a sandwich filler.

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An acquired taste -

Marmite's unique flavor is an acquired taste, a fact represented by the product's marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it."

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A super healthy spread -

Marmite is a rich source of the vitamin B complex. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Nutritional value -

British troops during WWI were issued Marmite as part of their rations, its vitamin B1 content a useful ally in the fight against beri-beri.

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Folic acid content -

During the 1930s, Marmite was used to successfully treat a form of anemia in mill workers in Bombay, India, after the paste's folic acid content was identified as the active ingredient.

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Marmite pills -

After the 1934 floods and subsequent malaria epidemic of 1934-35 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), widespread malnutrition across the country was countered to a degree with the issue of pills made of Marmite yeast extract.  

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Prison supplement -

The spread was a standard vitamin supplement for British-based German prisoners of war during WWII.

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Marmite in cooking -

Marmite is a commonly used ingredient in dishes as a flavoring. Its rich umami (savory) taste works well in a variety of dishes including homestyle deep-fried chicken (pictured), made with a Marmite sauce.

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Guinness -

Marmite produced a limited edition Guinness Marmite in 2007, giving it a noticeable hint of "Guinness" flavor.

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I Love You -

For everyone who loves Marmite, a special edition Champagne Marmite was released in time for Valentine's Day in 2008. The product had 0.3% champagne added to the recipe. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Marmite XO -

Aficionados were delighted when in March 2010 a super-strong blend called Marmite Extra Old, abbreviated as XO, was launched in the United Kingdom. Marmite XO is matured for 28 days—four times longer than usual! (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Ma'amite -

In April 2012, a special edition jar in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was released. With the product renamed "Ma'amite," the redesigned label featured a color scheme based upon the Union Jack. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Pure gold -

Pictured: Marmite XO and Marmite Gold—a limited edition paste containing edible gold colored flecks made for Christmas 2012. The jars are placed over a Marmite cookbook, published due to the paste's popularity as condiment. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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The growing up spread -

Many children develop a taste for Marmite at a young age, which some years ago spawned the catchphrase "The growing up spread you never grow out of," created to extol the spread's healthy nature. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Paddington Bear -

And as kids love Paddington Bear, then, of course, the cuddly toy is the one to promote the Marmite afternoon tea session at London's Dorchester Hotel.

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Marmite in art -

Marmite and its familiar jar is an iconic brand, a fact not lost on artists. This print has a distinctly Andy Warhol look about it. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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You're toast! -

In 2006, artist Dermot Flynn created a series of Marmite portraits on toast as part of the Marmart exhibition at the Air Gallery in London. Pictured is a piece of toast with a portrait of Victoria Beckham.

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Britain's got Marmite! -

Here's music mogul Simon Cowell on another slice.

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Marmite and cheese -

Marmite pairs well with cheese, and has been used as an additional flavoring in Cheddar Bites. And did you know that Starbucks in the United Kingdom has a cheese and Marmite panini on its menu? (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Squeeze me, please me -

You can squeeze the life out of Marmite by using the easy-to-use squeeze version of the product. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Marmite abroad -

Marmite is available around the world at specialist food retail outlets, especially those catering to British expatriates. In Australia and New Zealand, it's branded as Our Mate (pictured).

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Taken to the grave -

Some people love Marmite so much the savory spread is taken to the grave. This funeral, for example, was noted for its Marmite-styled flowers.

See also: More than 50 of the best-tasting sauces in the world.

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