As authors, we’re all about authenticity.
Being the stalwart troupers that we are, we’re here today to sample the infamous British delicacy of Marmite. We did this because we thought it would be great to have our protagonist love the stuff (she’s English).
Kids, don’t try this at home.
Transcript for FraeLea Conversations #8:
Frank: Hi, and welcome to FraeLea Conversations. I’m Frank and this is RaeLea. And, what are we doing today?
RaeLea: We are doing our unboxing of Marmite.
Frank: Of Marmite. And why are we doing that?
RaeLea: Because, we have to make it authentic. Our main protagonist, Ember, is so in love with Marmite that…
Frank: Can I interrupt you a little bit?
RaeLea: Yeah.
Frank: Alright, I’m going to back up and say that in Spark of Justice, in our Magic City Chronicles, there’s a protagonist, named Ember Wright. She’s from England and one of her little quirks is that she loves Marmite. So, that’s where you’re talking about authenticity. So, we’re going to be…
RaeLea: Okay. Right.
Frank: This is us being professionals, here.
RaeLea: (Laughs)
Frank: So, we have a box of Marmite that we ordered on Amazon. By all accounts, if you didn’t grow up with Marmite, you’re going to hate it. I did try a little bit of it years ago, and I did hate it. But, it’s been a long time so maybe I’m going to like it now. When I was growing up, I didn’t like sauerkraut, but now I love it, so…maybe it’s the same exact thing.
RaeLea: Oh, so I’ve got a little bit of anxiety here where, it’s going to be a love it or hate it and I’ve understood that it’s an acquired taste.
Frank: (opening up bubble wrap) We probably could have prepared this ahead of time, but we thought it would be a little more authentic if we’re opening this up.
RaeLea: Well, if I can get used to lutefisk, maybe I can get used to this.
Frank: I haven’t gotten used to lutefisk. So, this is Marmite and if you’re not familiar with it, we’re going to be terrible advertising agents for this, I have a feeling. It is a British…delicacy.
RaeLea: Delicacy.
Frank: There you go, we share a brain. And, nice jar, but it’s a yeast extract. It says, ‘Rich in B vitamins, 100% vegetarian’. Um, well, we’ll see here. So, it’s a brewer’s yeast, I think by-product, what my understanding was. And our character, Ember Wright, loves this stuff. Eats it like candy. We’ve got an Alpha Team member, Ian, who’s in Scotland, and he’s kinda told us about it, too. It’s kinda fun to have…
RaeLea: Apparently, there’s not a whole lot of people who can eat a half a jar.
Frank: (opens jar) Alright, it doesn’t smell too great.
RaeLea: (sniffs) Huh.
Frank: Alright, so we’re going to try some of it. (takes spoon) So, it’s kind of…oh…well, it’s kind of a molasses texture to it. So, apparently, Ian, our Alpha Member in Scotland, says that they like to put it on toast, very thin layer on toast. Or, his dad, he said, liked to eat it on cheese, not sure what kind of cheese.
RaeLea: They do have Marmite crackers, too.
Frank: Crackers and whatnot, so…cheers!
RaeLea: Cheers!
(clinks spoons)
Frank: Marmite! (eats) Mmm.
RaeLea: (eats – face scrunch) Oh, it’s so good.
Frank: Okay. I wish I would have taken a smaller helping, I got to be honest.
RaeLea: Oh, my.
Frank: It’s kind of like you took soy and tar…
Enya (Meepy): “Smells like poo.”
Frank: …and mixed the two together.
RaeLea: And that would be the winning…oh, a lot of soy. Soy sauce, or whatever.
Frank: Yeah, it’s very salty, soy taste. It’s actually not as bad as I was expecting it to be. Quite honestly. I don’t know, but if anyone wants an open jar of Marmite…
RaeLea: Free, giveaway!
Frank: …send us your address, we’ll mail it to you. I have a feeling we’re not going to be indulging in this. In Spark of Justice, when you get to that scene, if you haven’t already read that, as it hasn’t been published yet.
RaeLea: Where’s Lucky when you need her?
Frank: We won’t give you any spoilers, but, there’s kind of our little comedic relief in that part of the book. So, Marmite—Please don’t send us any! Until next time, I’m Frank, this is RaeLea, and you can see us on frhurt.com. Thanks for watching.