I think Malcolm has the phenomenon figured out. And to put it in a musical context, if you hear and love a version of a song, and you play it over and over, and then you hear someone else's version of the same song, you tend to think that the second person's version is just crap, and that you know this because you have heard *the real thing*. Even if you hear the first version performed live when you have listened to it on CD you can think that they have ruined their own song.

So, if you grew up with Vegemite like I did, then anything else would be a poor substitute, and vice versa. If you didn't grow up with either then you wonder what the fuss is all about. When you had Vegemite on toast almost every day of your life you get to know the flavour very well, like it is a part of yourself - well, it is isn't it, since we are what we eat!

Anyway, stop talking about Vegemite - you're making me hungry.

Helen