Cenovis is a dark brown food paste from Switzerland consisting of yeast extract, onions, carrots and spices.
In contrast to comparable yeast extracts, the Swiss Cenovis, similar to Thomy mustard, was sold in tubes early on and is somewhat lighter and more liquid.
[3] In 1915, Cenovis Nahrungsmittelwerke GmbH was founded in Munich as a brewer's yeast and malt factory,[4] which also produced by-products of these products and other foods such as oatmeal and baking powder, making it one of Maggi's main competitors.
[5] The German Cenovis vitamin extract was available from around 1920 in jars labeled "unbegrenzt haltbar" (unlimited shelf life).
[12] Cenovis yeast extract was developed during times of economic crisis, aimed at replacing meat products like sausages.
However, unlike Vegemite, which has become a staple in the harsh environment of the Australian outback, Cenovis has seen a decline in sales in Switzerland.
[13] On 29 February 2008, Michel Yagchi transferred the brand, acquired in 1999, to Gustav Gerig AG, an Aargau company, and the product thereby returned to its canton of origin.
[17] The company presents the following story behind Cenovis: "In 1931, a brewer recycled the yeast used for the fermentation of beer: vegetal substances very rich in vitamin B1.