Buses, Marmite - and The Deli

Mon 22 Dec 2025, 16:30

Curious that someone as wealthy as James Goldsmith knew about getting the last drop - or should that be 'smear' (remember Goldenballs?) - out of the jar.  A skill acquired in childhood - it needs an old fashioned, round ended and bendy knife - you'd be amazed!

Deli open tomorrow and the morning on Christmas Eve - still lots of chocs and other goodies for those last minute needs ...  even a Christmas pud or two if you're quick.  

Sat 20 Dec 2025, 16:52

Marmite confession time. Rod you want to take marmite back to being sticky. Well about 39 years ago I sat on a Transatlantic flight with James Goldsmith whose company at the time owned Marmite (before Unilever who are now selling?) and discussed the strange phenomena that when you are wondering whether to buy another you have to spend "ages" getting the last precious bits out of the jar. not good for marketing.

A year later it became thinner, sorry Rod.....try the new owners.

Fri 19 Dec 2025, 12:16 (last edited on Fri 19 Dec 2025, 12:19)

According to the Copenhagen Post, Marmite is no longer unobtainable in Denmark. Strictly speaking, it was never made illegal, but Danish laws required that products involving supplementary vitamins require special approval and licensing, and the importer of Marmite had not got that sorted out (to be clear, vitamins were not counted as simple ingredient). In any event, according to the news item, this was resolved in 2014. Not having been to Denmark, I can't personally attest to its availability in the country.

"Marmite lovers in Denmark can rejoice as the Danish food authorities Fødevarestyrelsen yesterday approved the risk assessment application of the British spread product that was filed by the Randers-based company Food From Home earlier this year."

Fri 19 Dec 2025, 09:52

Plus one for Marmite XO Extra Old! 

Fri 19 Dec 2025, 07:17 (last edited on Fri 19 Dec 2025, 07:18)

Wow what a wealth of useful MARMITE information - thank you to all who have contributed. Huw - my son has lived in Qatar for 3 years, he knows where to find his monthly ration of Guinness, I am surprised he is not aware of the source of Marmite.

I'm meeting him in Geneva tomorrow I shall inform him. My suggestion to him to try Veggiemite was met with a snort of derision.

We will drink to Charlbury Forum and all who contribute Festive Greetings

Thu 18 Dec 2025, 20:29

Stephen,

Marmite in Qatar - in the Doha City Centre Mall, near the Conference Centre is around £6 a jar - well it was in September. Much cheaper than posting it

Thu 18 Dec 2025, 14:08

Random fact of the day is that Marmite is banned in Denmark.

Thu 18 Dec 2025, 11:33

I will give the Extra XO Old a try. Thanks for the tip Rod. Also I was using the x9 bus this year and found it most useful. 

Has some pictures of older Marmite https://www.marmitemuseum.co.uk/

Have you taken the THE MARMARATI OATH? https://www.marmitemuseum.co.uk/the-marmarati/

Thu 18 Dec 2025, 10:24

Not sure I entirely followed your logic Rod but I get the gist. Marmite 'aint quite what it used to be. I have to get two bottles of it to Qatar - via Geneva -  this Christmas and the Co-op has run out. What to do??

Thu 18 Dec 2025, 09:15 (last edited on Thu 18 Dec 2025, 09:16)

Did something yesterday I hadn’t done in ages.  With no car available, took the X9 into Chippy.  Brilliant – from a high seat you can see so much more at this time of year, have time to take in the views across the valley, gawp at the Diddly Squat farm shop – and arrive in town only a few minutes later than by car.  And if you’re of ‘a certain age’, it’s FREE! 

So what’s that got to do with Marmite?? Well buses are a bit aren’t they, love ‘em or loathe ‘em?  I’m converted – was never really otherwise, just lazy - at least till I need some bags of compost.  

And - have you wondered about Marmite’s consistency lately??  Not ‘strictly Charlbury’ but surely a matter of great concern to at least half its population?!  Did they think we of the 8 bob, 4/6, 2/9, 1/3 – and if memory serves, even 10d – generation wouldn’t notice??  It’s now even runnier than the arch enemy Bovril!  

So in furtherance of a campaign to Make Marmite Sticky Again, we’ll try (I haven’t told them yet) to stock Marmite Extra Old at the Deli in the New Year – and I personally guarantee at a price cheaper than Waitrose! MMaSA I say!!

PS Do visit the Deli & Cafe over the next few days, loads of Christmas goodies – we’re planning to have a stall in the MH driveway, weather permitting, tomorrow evening – and looking for your suggestions for next year too….