Colman's

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Colmans English Mustard jar

Colman's is a UK manufacturer of mustard, based in Norwich, Norfolk. Colman's of Norwich was founded in 1814 and is one of the oldest existing food brands. Colman's is now owned by Unilever.

Prior to setting up the J & J Colman Company, Jeremiah Colman began making his mustard at a water mill near Norwich in the village of Bawburgh.

The J & J Colman company was started in 1814 by Jeremiah Colman, at Stoke Mill water mill on the River Tas at Stoke Holy Cross, four miles south of Norwich. By 1865 production had transferred to a large factory at Carrow on land bought from the Norfolk Railway Company to the south of Norwich, where the firm still operates.

From 1855 the firm introduced its distinctive yellow packaging and bull's head logo, and in 1866 was granted the Royal Warrant as manufacturers to Queen Victoria, which it still retains.

In 1903 the firm took over rival mustard maker Keen Robinson & Company (makers of Keen's Mustard), through which it also acquired the Robinson's Lemon Barley Water brand and baby food business. In 1938 it merged with Reckitts to form the Reckitt & Colman household products conglomerate (now Reckitt Benckiser).

The Colman's part of the business was demerged in 1995 and Colman's became part of Unilever UK. As well as mustard, it applies its name to condiments, sauces and other foodstuffs. The Robinsons brand was bought by Britvic.

Colman's operates the "Mustard Shop" at 15 Royal Arcade in central Norwich – a museum, tourist attraction and marketing outlet. The company formerly maintained a large collection of antique silver mustard pots.

Colman's is one of the british icon brands sold around the world through network of distributors managed by Unilever's own export department based in Crawley, UK

Jif Lemon and Lime juice is produced in Norwich, famous for 'Pancake Day' (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK. Since 2006 Jif Pan cake mix was introdued and in 2007 Jif introduced a American Style Pan cake mix.