Colman's
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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. Colman's tangy flavour comes from a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba).
Jeremiah Colman began making mustard at a water mill near Norwich in the village of Bawburgh. He founded The J. & J. Colman company in 1814, at the Stoke Holy Cross mill on the River Tas, 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 today.
From 1855 the firm introduced its distinctive yellow packaging and bull's head logo, and in 1866 was granted the Royal Warrant as manufacturers of mustard to Queen Victoria. Her Majesty’s household still uses Colman’s today.
The Colman family's pioneering achievements in social welfare are part of Norwich's history. In 1857 a school was opened for the employees' children, while in 1864 the firm employed a nurse to help sick members of staff - a social revolution at the time.
In 1903 the firm took over rival mustard maker Keen Robinson & Company (makers of Keen's Mustard), through which it also acquired the Robinsons 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 Ltd. As well as mustard, it applies its name to condiments, sauces and other foodstuffs. The Robinsons brand was bought by Britvic.
In 1973 Colmans opened The Mustard Shop in Norwich to mark the 150th anniversary of Jeremiah Colman taking his nephew James into partnership. Now relocated to the Royal Arcade, The Mustard Shop has become a tourist attraction, alongside being a 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. (Unilever UK Export)
Colman's maintains links with Norwich. The founding family are commemorated in street-names such as Colman Road (part of the A140 inner ring road), on which is situated Colman's First and Middle Schools. The company has sponsored Norwich City Football Club in the past, with the Colman's name appearing on the shirts.
[edit] Product Range
- Colman's English Mustard 50g
- Colman's English Mustard 100g
- Colman's English Mustard 170g
- Colman's English Mustard Squeeze 150g
- Colman's Mustard Powder
- Colman's Wholegrain Mustard 150ml
- Colman's Dijon Mustard 150ml
- Colman's Mild Mustard
- Colman's Condiments
- Colman's Pour overs
- Colman's Dry Sauces
- Colman's Special Sauces
