Marmite

Marmite is a concentrated yeast extract made from the by-products of beer brewing, first produced by a company founded in Burton upon Trent in 1902. Its love-it-or-hate-it reputation as a toast spread hides its best use: as a stock booster. Half a teaspoon dissolved into gravy, French onion soup, a beef or mushroom stew or a pot of lentils adds a meaty, rounded depth that nobody will identify as Marmite. It also works whisked into melted butter for roast potatoes. New Zealand Marmite is a different recipe, made under license since 1919, but either works in cooking when used sparingly.