Lunchbox Envy 56: Spreads
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Mar 9, 2026 They debate what counts as a spread and survey global favorites from kaya and yuzu marmalade to Nutella’s origins. They trace marmalade’s history back to Catherine of Braganza and explore luxury marmalades and awards. The conversation covers Marmite’s production and cultural reach, raw spreadable meats like met and pâté varieties, plus quick rillettes and compound butter hacks.
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Practical Definition Of A Spread
- A spread is best defined by use: something you spread onto foods like bread, biscuits, pancakes and waffles rather than its ingredients.
- ScienceDirect groups jams, chutneys, dairy spreads, edible oils, nut butters and yeast-extracts under spreads, emphasising texture and breakfast use.
Kaya Toast And Onsen Egg Breakfast
- Kaya toast is a Singapore/Malaysia breakfast of white toast, cold butter and coconut pandan jam, often dipped in a very soft boiled egg with soy and white pepper.
- Rosie recounts doing a culinary holiday in Malaysia where kaya toast and onsen-style eggs created a sweet, salty, buttery experience.
Nutella's Origin And Scale
- Nutella evolved from 19th‑century gianduia (hazelnut+cocoa) and wartime cocoa shortages led Pietro Ferrero to sell a hazelnut-heavy paste in loaf form, later reformulated into the spreadable Nutella brand in 1964.
- Today Nutella is ~13% hazelnut and 57% sugar, yet consumes about 25% of global hazelnut production.