In the category "Weird Sandwich Spreads"

Many non-Swedes don’t like our Kalle’s kaviar, the number one sandwich spread among us Swedes. I guess you have to get used to this peculiar, salty, fish flavor from an early age to appreciate it. The Australian equivalent to our Kalle’s kaviar – in the category ”Weird sandwich spreads” – would be the Vegemite. When consulting the somewhat doubtful source Wikipedia we learn that ”Vegemite is a dark brown Australian food paste made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives developed by Cyril P. Callister in Melbourne, Victoria in 1922. Vegemite is salty, slightly bitter and malty, and rich in umami – similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth and the product is a paste”. We are always trying to, if not embrace, so at least explore, the local customs and traditions. ”When in Rome...” and all that. I got a jar of Vegemite at my daughters’ request and the entire family reached the same verdict: the taste is vile, VILE I say. Perhaps it would taste better the second time around? Nobody in the family wanted to subject themselves to the foul taste of Vegemite again so after six months the jar was eventually relegated to the garbage bin. However, Australians seem to love their Vegemite and will defend it until the very end.

Vegemite toast as portrayed on Wikipedia. Looks slightly inedible to me. 

Somethings you just need to get used to from the very beginning, like the Swedish Kalle’s kaviar and the Australian Vegemite. The Daughters who have never lived in Sweden, have their own favorite sandwich spreads: peanut butter either combined with raspberry jam or with banana. Or Nutella with banana, that works too. To me, these combinations are very odd and I have refrained from tasting but the Husband claims that they are ”delicious”. But I guess preferences in sandwich spreads are like most things in life: to each his own.

           Kalle's kaviar portrayed on Wikipedia: now we're talking!