Anyone who lives in or has visited Australia is aware of the yeasty brown spread known as Vegemite. This snack is often at the heart of heated debates regarding its tastiness; however, Vegemite has been hiding at the heart of something else for quite some time. Dry communities in Australia have secretly been producing moonshine with Vegemite as one of the key ingredients.
Vegemite: From a Wartime Solution to a Moonshine Recipe
Vegemite was created in Australia during World War I when supplies of Marmite, the popular British counterpart, virtually disappeared. Vegemite quickly took over the continent and can still be found on the shelves of many Australian homes. As it turns out, there is another use for Vegemite that many consumers never thought of. Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion told the BBC that Vegemite is a “precursor to misery”, being purchased in bulk to make moonshine in dry communities. One key ingredient in Vegemite is Brewer’s yeast; this is what makes Vegemite so nutritious, but it is also a key ingredient in beer and ale. Dry communities throughout the continent have turned to Vegemite as a cheap and homegrown solution to the alcohol ban.
High Addiction Rate Led to the Creation of Dry Communities in Australia
There are 19 communities in Queensland that have banned or limited alcohol. These limitations came in response to the high addiction rates and alcohol abuse problems in these communities. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Australian government was considering removing the ban in 2013 when they became aware of the growing production of homemade moonshine. While the ban was not removed, addiction has continued to be a real problem in many indigenous communities in Australia. Some students have even been showing up to class with moonshine hangovers. These dry communities, rather than seeing a decrease in alcohol consumption, have experienced an increase in Vegemite-based moonshine production. Australian officials are deciding how to respond and the public is starting to wonder; will they restrict Australian’s ability to purchase Vegemite?
Will Vegemite Disappear from Dry Communities?
The homemade moonshine in dry communities is causing a lot of concern, but is banning Vegemite the solution? Australian government officials are ensuring the public that the moonshine production is limited to a few dry communities in a large continent and is not of concern to the larger Australian population. Government officials are searching for a solution to the alcohol issues in these isolated communities. According to The Australian, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters in Brisbane that, “The last thing I want to do is have a Vegemite watch.” So fear not, Vegemite lovers. While the Australian government searches for an answer to moonshine production, Vegemite will still appear in stores near you and on the Vegemite website.
Photo Credit: Gordon Wrigley
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Dry Communities in Australia are Making Moonshine out of Vegemite
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