So Uniliver, who wouldn't sanction the book, have 'nicked' the 'tar' reference!
In its latest promotion, for Marmite, it talks about 'Tarmite' - the product it threatens to market if the 'haters' win the Marmite general-election. The 'election' is Unilever's latest Marmite campaign. It's a take-off of the looming political battle, for Number 10, in Britain. Frankly, I think it's far too twee, contrived, over-the-top. Marmite can stand on its own. It doesn't need these constant promotions - it's the third this year - which are slanted towards the daft, reverse-thinking, etc. To see what I am going on about go to: http://www.marmitenewsnetwork.com/
KELLY'S AT IT AGAIN....
That well known Washington Post Wag, John Kelly, is at it again! He ended a recent column with another attack on the mighty-M. It read......
BE AFRAID
My former colleague Elizabeth Terry made me aware of a disturbing development on the yeast extract front: The makers of Marmite, the disgusting English condiment, have come out with a new, super-concentrated version. Called Marmite XO -- for "extra old" -- it is aged four times as long as normal Marmite and is said to be four times as strong. The name and classy label allegedly call to mind a fine port wine, though I'm sure the taste calls to mind the Odor Eaters of a grave-digging dipsomaniac. If ever there was a time to slap a trade tariff on a foreign product, it's now.
But on the basis that no publicity is bad publicity, have to thank John. Just wish I'd been around, when it was published. Instead I was sunning myself and suffering Marmite withdrawal in Honduras (see previous posting). Pity, because we could have had another lively exchange, and could probably have slipped-in a 'plug' for the book. But battle will re-commence the next time I come back from Britain. I will bring back a jar of XO and challenge him to a taste-test. Though the only way I know I'll get so much as a smear past his Marmite-bad-talking lips is to weigh him down with a container load of XO. But I will try....so watch-out Washington Post Wag!
BE AFRAID
My former colleague Elizabeth Terry made me aware of a disturbing development on the yeast extract front: The makers of Marmite, the disgusting English condiment, have come out with a new, super-concentrated version. Called Marmite XO -- for "extra old" -- it is aged four times as long as normal Marmite and is said to be four times as strong. The name and classy label allegedly call to mind a fine port wine, though I'm sure the taste calls to mind the Odor Eaters of a grave-digging dipsomaniac. If ever there was a time to slap a trade tariff on a foreign product, it's now.
But on the basis that no publicity is bad publicity, have to thank John. Just wish I'd been around, when it was published. Instead I was sunning myself and suffering Marmite withdrawal in Honduras (see previous posting). Pity, because we could have had another lively exchange, and could probably have slipped-in a 'plug' for the book. But battle will re-commence the next time I come back from Britain. I will bring back a jar of XO and challenge him to a taste-test. Though the only way I know I'll get so much as a smear past his Marmite-bad-talking lips is to weigh him down with a container load of XO. But I will try....so watch-out Washington Post Wag!
IT'S THE BOOK TO CONSULT....
Delighted! The Daily Mail (a leading British national newspaper for our non-Brit friends) has a great feature on Marmite XO, the new extra strong Marmite. Writer David Leafe, good man, ordered the book before making contact. What a rare breed of journo is he! The book gets a decent mention....and it was clear he 'lifted' quite a bit of stuff from it and the sub, edititing his piece, 'nicked' the secondary title of the book for the headline. Withouth getting too big-headed about all this, feel this has sanctioned Mish-Mash as the publication to consult when information about Marmite is needed. And, husband Gary - the number one hater in the world of M - is also pretty made up.With his first whiff of Marmite, 30 years ago, he christened it: 'Tar-in-a-Jar'!
But apart from all that David has written one of those articles that will go into the annals of Marmite writings. He did some terrific research - even going (lucky chap) to the factory for a full briefing on the process. Made a very informative and fun read. Go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1256512/What-Marmites-new-extra-strong-spread-like.html
But apart from all that David has written one of those articles that will go into the annals of Marmite writings. He did some terrific research - even going (lucky chap) to the factory for a full briefing on the process. Made a very informative and fun read. Go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1256512/What-Marmites-new-extra-strong-spread-like.html
A FUN STORY
Should have posted this ages ago! It's a fun story in the Bucks Free Press - based on the book. http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/4767334.Bucks_named_Marmite_central/
AMAZON DEAL
Amazon US is offering a package-deal on three Marmite items. Delighted to discover that the book is one of them. Twiglets is another - which, of course, anyone who reads the ingredients on packages, or has read the book cover-to-over, knows that contrary to popular believe Marmite is not used in the manufacture of Twiglets. The Marmitey taste comes from a generic yeast-extract. But who cares? They're one of the world's irresistible snacks! The third item is a Paddington Bear promotion - a jar of M in a suitcase and a tiny PB. The link between Marmite and one of the all-time favourite story book character is now so old hat I'm amazed there are any of these promotional items still left! The book has the back-story to the uneasy relationship between these two iconic British 'things'. See the Amazon deal at: http://www.amazon.com/Marmite-Paddington-Gift-Pack-7-05-Ounce/dp/B002MZFJ4S
WHY I HAVEN'T ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT....
Easy to work out, of course. The commerative jar (see two entries ago) was awarded after I left for Honduras....so it's going to be a while before I taste the new M-sensation. Not because I'm going to 'go native' on Utila (though would be easy to do) but because the XO is languishing in Yorkshire (didn't, couldn't expect Unilever to send it to DC). So I will not get my greedy, make that needy (see last entry), mitts on it until I pitch up again on my real native soil! Which could be quite some time. Though that wait could be shortened, if any family/friends from 'Jolly Olde' turn up this Spring....better get the invitations to visit out!
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