Comments on: marmite: maybe it just keeps getting better?

Question: marmite: maybe it just keeps getting better?

MaddyRex — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:12:31 -0800

When does Marmite really expire?

I love Marmite, but I don't want to shell out $7 for another jar when I just found in my pantry a perfectly good, unopened & sealed jar that expired in, oh, say 2005.

So the tag says best by 2005. Buuuut, it's Marmite! What could possibly go wrong? I know "best by" doesn't mean "inedible after." Does anyone have experience eating old Marmite?

By: Gravitus

Gravitus — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:25:19 -0800

I would say that you should go ahead and simply open the jar and take a bite (note the reaction). If you eat marmite for the flavor then your are already a brave and adventurous soul.

By: holgate

holgate — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:25:53 -0800

"There's no shelf life on Marmite, there's a best before date on it but it lasts forever, it's antiseptic in fact," Mr Trimble said.

From the guy who makes the adverts, but I'm inclined to believe him, given what's in Marmite.

By: snarfois

snarfois — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:48:43 -0800

I'd wager even an opened 2005-vintage Marmite would still be edible. (I Am Not A Food Scientist, so no guarantees.)

By: mrmojoflying

mrmojoflying — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:12:24 -0800

For what it's worth, I've eaten years-old Marmite. As long as it's well sealed so that it hasn't dried, I say go for it.

By: pseudostrabismus

pseudostrabismus — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:19:16 -0800

I'd eat it. It can't be worse than actual Marmite, right?
(Mmmmarmmmite, gonna go make some on an English Muffin with sardines right now!)

By: fearthehat

fearthehat — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:14:08 -0800

'Best by date' is not the same as 'expiry date'.

By: paduasoy

paduasoy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:17:58 -0800

I would think it'd be fine. I've eaten pretty elderly marmite - gets a bit dry sometimes and needs a drop of boiling water added, but that's because of exposure to air. Open it and if it's gone off I'd think you'd be able to tell from the smell and the change in texture (assuming that you have previously eaten non-gone-off marmite).

By: yoyo_nyc

yoyo_nyc — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:21:24 -0800

Yes you can eat it. In the worst case it would taste slightly rancid but this will not hurt you.
Due to the high salt content no bacteria/yeast/mold can grow in Marmite (maybe a Halophil organism could but you won't find this in your kitchen).

By: vickyverky

vickyverky — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:28:42 -0800

I find that a jar of Marmite that's been open for more than a few months loses some of its goopiness and goes a bit granular. It also seems slightly less Marmite-y, but still salty. I don't think it will make you ill to eat it, but you might not enjoy the flavor so much.

A co-worker keeps his Marmite in the fridge, but I don't think that will necessarily prolong its life.

By: Admira

Admira — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:50:32 -0800

I've eaten vegemite that was many years over its due date with no adverse side effects.

By: Admira

Admira — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:24:13 -0800

In fact I just checked the best by date of the vegemite I just ate (on toast, with melted butter... mmmm), and it says "Oct07".

By: goo

goo — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:46:29 -0800

I would totally eat it - one of the main ingredients is salt, and that's a preservative, right?

If it tastes bad or is otherwise dodgy then sure, chuck it away - but if it tastes, smells and looks okay then go hard.

By: jb

jb — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:21:22 -0800

Marmite will go off sometime after the second coming. Until then, enjoy it's salty, folic acidfull goodness.

By: wrok

wrok — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:29:02 -0800

It will last forever. I'm currently going through an expires-in-2004 jar of Vegemite.

If it tastes bad or is otherwise dodgy then sure, chuck it away

But it tastes bad and looks dodgy to start with!

By: goo

goo — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:51:52 -0800

But it tastes bad and looks dodgy to start with!

Of course - it's Marmite, not Vegemite!

By: MaddyRex

MaddyRex — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:49:08 -0800

I did eat the Marmite after all. I survived, but it was, as predicted, not quite as good -- weirdly thicker and with a less delicate (yes delicate, haters) flavor. Oh well. I guess for best results eat no more than ... three years after it expires.