Yeast extract spread

Yeast extract spread, the category that includes products like Marmite and Vegemite, is a thick, dark, intensely savory paste made from spent brewer's yeast, spread thinly on buttered toast or crackers rather than eaten by the spoonful. Its flavor is famously strong, salty, and umami-forward, which is why it is used in small amounts, a thin scrape rather than a thick layer, and sometimes stirred into soups, stews, or gravies for a savory depth. Some cooks whisk a small amount into hot water for a simple savory broth, and it is occasionally used to deepen the flavor of gravies or marinades where a concentrated savory note is wanted.

A jar keeps for a long time at room temperature or in the refrigerator once opened, since its low moisture and high salt content resist spoilage, and a small jar can last many months of occasional use. A single teaspoon (6 g) serving is tiny by design, since 100 g contains 3380 mg of sodium, an extremely concentrated amount, alongside 23.9 g protein, 48% DV, and notable potassium, 45% DV, and magnesium, 43% DV, per 100 g. Given how salty it is, yeast extract spread is used more as a flavoring condiment in small measured amounts than as a spread applied generously, with its 20.4 g carbohydrate per 100 g and 6.5 g fiber per 100 g reflecting how concentrated the whole product is.