One Australian fan has dubbed the new Vegemite-flavored roast chicken with cheese stuffing sold by Coles “the yeast beast.”
The retail behemoth is selling a special “Australian” chicken species with the assertion that the strange flavor combination is “a match made in culinary paradise.”
On Thursday, the RSPCA-approved roast chicken, which is injected with a vegemite flavor and packed with Bega cheese, hit retailers across the nation for $13 apiece.
The yeast extract, according to Coles, produces a “subtle and irresistible umami flavor,” but not everyone is convinced.
“I just threw up a little in my mouth,” one individual wrote.
The grocery giant is selling a special ‘Australian’ chicken variety with the premise that the strange flavor combination is “a gourmet match made in heaven.”
Global social media debate raged, with some calling the combination “repulsive.”
Poll
Would you try a roast chicken with Vegemite and cheese?
Yes 0 votes No 0 votes
Now share your thoughts
Globally, social media debate raged, with some labeling the pairing “repulsive.”
A woman from Michigan expressed disgust at the Australian flavor mix.
Could one of our Australian comrades help explain this seeming outrage to me? She wrote, “I am open but sceptical.”
Everything is better with Vegemite, said an Australian woman.
Others disagreed vehemently.
A man wrote, “Vegemite is excellent, and so is roast chicken, but together? Nah, not for me.”
One Londoner asserted, “A Chinese buffet in Essex serves marmite chicken.” It is very excellent!’
‘Yay! In an Australian Reddit discussion that went viral, someone wrote, “For science, though I’m certain it’ll be terrible.”
Vegemite advertised its new chicken flavor on social media, where it was a hot topic on multiple platforms.
The title of the thread was “Coles scientists were so focused with whether they could that they failed to consider whether they should.”
The majority of Reddit users were however in favor.
One said, “Hand me one of those Yeast Beasts!”
Some stated that Coles just adopted a traditional Australian recipe.
My grandmother used to season her chicken with Vegemite. Stuffing (butter melted into it) and stews. It simply gives a salty umami flavor, stated one person.
Another claimed to have prepared toasted chicken and vegemite sandwiches with cheese for years.
Not having tasted the coles variety. However, I can attest that Vegemite on chicken is wonderful! One user remarked, “Tried it once when hungover and too lazy to prepare gravy; 10/10 would suggest.”
One Twitter user stated, “They did this in the 1920s because Vegemite was so tasty and salty.”
The supermarket has already labeled it as a limited edition product, so it is unlikely to become a mainstay.
Unusual Vegemite applications are not new. A 1930s recipe recommended mixing it with hot milk, and in 2015, a caramel and Vegemite chocolate bar was introduced.
Unusual Vegemite applications are not new.
On the back of a Vegemite container from 90 years ago, a controversial serving advice suggested combining it with heated milk.
Vegemite has long been a popular flavor in its own right, with buns, bread sticks, crackers, and beans flavored with it available for purchase.
Even a Cadbury Vegemite and caramel chocolate bar was introduced in 2015.
But a Sydney resident’s idea likely went too far.
“I desire vegemite ice cream,” he wrote online.