We have a theory about Marmite, that thick, black, sticky, pungent, ooey-gooey yeast-extract sandwich spread. Here’s the theory: only people who first taste Marmite before the age of two have a chance of liking it. And our theory has a corollary endorsed by even the Marmite-makers: you either love Marmite or you absolutely despise it.

Marmite is an English concoction that has been around for more than 100 years. Generous to a fault, the English brought Marmite with them to their colonies, which explains why the Australians and South Africans are just as enamored as the British. The Australians love it so much that Kraft made them their own yeast extract and called it Vegemite. Apparently they taste the same, but we wouldn’t know as we only eat Marmite.

Marmite, for those of us who love it, is the ultimate comfort food. When we’re feeling sad, or under-the-weather, we toast an English muffin, slather it with butter so that it melts into the nooks and crannies the way it’s supposed to, and then we smear on the Marmite. Super-salty, just licking our fingers when we finish making our sandwich makes our mouth water. All through our life we’ve had to endure the disgusted faces of various roommates and friends who “cannot BELIEVE” we eat “THAT STUFF”. At home, of course, or in the company of other Marmite-eaters, we indulge freely, but otherwise we’ve had to be careful. So it is with much excitement that we made our toddler son’s first Marmite sandwich, and then we watched his face, carefully, for reaction. He liked it! Such sweet relief. And, just as we had anticipated, he quickly grew to love it. It’s his breakfast of choice. He requests it for lunch as well, and although the Marmite website says it’s very, very good for you, we aren’t sure of the nutritional value of eating a buttery, yeasty sandwich for two out of three meals a day, so, for now, we say “no.”

Here in Seattle, you can find Marmite at QFC or Larry’s Market near the yeast in the baking section, although logically it should really be kept near the peanut butter and jelly (as it is most definitely a sandwich spread) which is where we always look first. So try it. We could be wrong – you might like it.