Marmite (and Vegemite)

Marmite (and Vegemite) is the only food that built its entire brand on polarization: “Love it or hate it” has been the official slogan since 1996, and a 2021 survey by YouGov showed 42% of Britons love it, 39% hate it, and the rest are indifferent—a near 50-50 split that rivals the division of Candy Corn. The yeast extract spread contains 2.5 mg of vitamin B12 per serving (100% of the daily value), but its intense umami-saltiness and sticky, tar-like texture repel as many as they attract. Unilever reports that Marmite is rejected on first taste by 60% of international consumers, making it a global outlier in divisiveness compared to the average condiment.