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{{Short description|British food brand known for its pickled chutney}}
[[Image:Branston Pickle jar 1.jpg|thumb|A jar of Branston Pickle]]
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
'''Branston''' is a well known [[United Kingdom]] brand of savoury foods. They are most well known for their original '''Branston Pickle''', a jarred [[Pickling|pickled]] [[relish]] first made in [[1922]] in the [[Branston]] [[suburb]] of [[Burton upon Trent]] by [[Crosse & Blackwell]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{infobox brand
| name = Branston
| logo = [[File:Branston Logo.jpg|180px]]
| image = [[File:Branston Pickle jar 1.jpg|180px]]
| caption = A jar of Branston Pickle when it was sold under the Crosse and Blackwell brand
| type = Pickle, sauces
| currentowner = [[Mizkan]]
| origin = England
| introduced = 1922
| discontinued =
| related =
| markets =
| previousowners = [[Crosse and Blackwell]]<br/>[[Nestlé]]<br/>[[Premier Foods]]
| trademarkregistrations =
| ambassadors =
| tagline = Bring out the Branston
| website = {{url|https://bringoutthebranston.co.uk/}}
}}


'''Branston''' is an English food [[brand]] best known for the original '''Branston Pickle''', a sweet pickle first made in 1922 in the village of [[Branston, Staffordshire|Branston]] near [[Burton upon Trent]], [[Staffordshire]], by [[Crosse & Blackwell]].<ref name="Ruddick 2012">{{cite web|last=Ruddick |first=Graham |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9642506/Branston-Pickle-sold-to-Japans-Mizkan-in-92.5m-deal.html |title=Branston Pickle sold to Japan's Mizkan in £92.5m deal |publisher=The Telegraph |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=26 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Ayto 2012">{{cite book | last=Ayto | first=J. | title=The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink | publisher=OUP Oxford | series=Oxford Quick reference collection | year=2012 | isbn=978-0-19-964024-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoicAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA43 | access-date=26 October 2017 | page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=van Wyk | first=B.E. | title=Culinary Herbs and Spices of the World | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=2014 | isbn=978-0-226-09183-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WEPbAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA36 | access-date=26 October 2017 | page=36}}</ref> The Branston factory proved to be uneconomical, and production was moved to Crosse & Blackwell subsidiary, E Lazenby & Sons in [[Bermondsey]], London, where it invested in new buildings in 1924 and 1926, which remained in use until 1969.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bourke | first=Joanna | title=London Square buys former Branston pickle Bermondsey site for flats | website=Evening Standard | date=6 December 2016 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/london-square-buys-former-branston-pickle-bermondsey-site-for-luxury-flats-a3413351.html | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Exploring">{{cite web|title=Crosse and Blackwell / E Lazenby & Sons|url=http://www.exploringsouthwark.co.uk/crosse-and-blackwell/4591741699|website=Exploring Southwark|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192807/http://www.exploringsouthwark.co.uk/crosse-and-blackwell/4591741699|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In [[2004]] the brand was bought by [[Premier Foods]] and production was moved to [[Bury St Edmunds]] in [[Suffolk]]. Since its introduction, it has gone on to be the brand leader, selling over 28 million jars a year in the UK.<ref>[http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/brands/branston.cfm Premier Food web site](accesed 21 february 2007)</ref>


In 2004, the pickle business was sold by [[Nestlé]] to [[Premier Foods]] and production was moved to [[Bury St Edmunds]] in [[Suffolk]].<ref>{{cite book | last1=Owen | first1=R. | last2=Dynes | first2=M. | title=Tuttle guide to the single European market: a comprehensive handbook | publisher=C.E. Tuttle | year=1992 | isbn=978-0-8048-1815-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q5wSAQAAMAAJ | access-date=27 October 2017 | page=163}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Pickle 'demand rises' after fire | website=BBC News | date=2 November 2004 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/3974043.stm | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> Premier Foods sold the brand to [[Mizkan]] in 2013,<ref>{{cite web | title=Branston sold by Premier Foods | website=BBC News | date=30 October 2012 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-20135080 | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> at which time it ceased to be labelled as Crosse and Blackwell because in Europe this name was sold separately to [[Princes Group]]. Over 17 million jars a year are sold in the UK.<ref name="Martin 2017"/>
⚫
==The original pickle==
Branston Pickle is made from a variety of diced vegetables, including swede ([[rutabaga]]), [[onion]]s, [[cauliflower]] and [[gherkin]]s pickled in a sauce made from [[vinegar]], [[tomato]], [[apple]] and [[Date_Palm#Fruit|date]]s with spices such as [[Mustard (condiment)|mustard]], [[coriander]], [[garlic]], [[cinnamon]], [[Black pepper|pepper]], [[cloves]], [[nutmeg]] and [[cayenne pepper]].


⚫
==Original pickle==
Branston Pickle is sweet and spicy with a [[chutney]]-like consistency, containing small chunks of vegetables in a thick brown sticky sauce. It is commonly served as part of a [[ploughman's lunch]], a common menu item in British [[pub]]s. It is also frequently combined with cheddar [[cheese]] in sandwiches, and most sandwich shops in the UK offer "cheese and pickle" as an option. It is available in the standard 'chunky' version, though there is also a 'sandwich' variety, where the vegetable chunks are smaller and easier to spread. In recent times, Premier Foods have also brought out a 'squeezy' variety in a plastic bottle. This version just consists of the sauce and does not contain any vegetable pieces. There was also a spicy type made for a short time, but this did not prove as popular and is now hard to find.
[[Image:Branston_smallchunk_pickle.jpg|thumb|150bx|Branston Pickle, small chunk variety, jar]]
[[File:Branston Pickle close-up.jpg|thumb|Branston Pickle]]
Branston Pickle is made from a variety of diced vegetables, including [[rutabaga|swede]], carrots, onions and cauliflower pickled in a sauce made from vinegar, tomato, apple and spices.<ref name="Martin 2017"/>
While not a [[chutney]], Branston Pickle is sweet and spicy with a "chutney-like" consistency, containing chunks of vegetables in a thick brown sticky sauce.<ref name="Martin 2017"/> It is commonly served as part of a [[ploughman's lunch]], a popular menu item in British [[pub]]s.<ref name="Kazmier 2016">{{cite web | last=Kazmier | first=Penny | title=In the U.K., the Branston Pickle adds crunchy, savory kick to sandwiches | website=Daily Herald | date=26 January 2016 | url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160119/entlife/160118954/ | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> It is also frequently combined with cheese in sandwiches, and many sandwich shops in the UK offer [[Cheese and pickle sandwich|cheese and pickle]] as an option.<ref name="Kazmier 2016"/> It is available in the standard 'chunky' version, a 'small chunk' variety, and a 'smooth' variety that is pureed, which makes it easier to spread onto bread; convenient squeeze-bottle packs are amongst the range. Branston also has flavoured pickles including Sweet Chilli and Beetroot flavoured pickle.<ref name="FoodBev Media 2015"/>


===Generic varieties===
==Brand extension==
Additional Branston products include [[mayonnaise]], [[tomato ketchup]], [[piccalilli]], [[brown sauce]], [[salad cream]], and [[baked beans]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Graeme | title=The £90m pickle: Branston sold to Japan firm | website=The Independent | date=30 October 2012 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/the-90m-pickle-branston-sold-to-japan-firm-8252771.html | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
As with any product that becomes popular, other manufacturers have developed their own brand of a Branston type pickle. Many supermarkets now have generic [[own brand]] versions. In order to prevent problems with the registered [[trade name]], the term "sweet pickle" has been adopted by most manufacturers.


⚫
In October 2005, [[Premier Foods]] launched Branston Baked Beans. The marketing and promotion of this product were aimed at challenging [[Heinz Baked Beans|Heinz]]'s dominance of the UK [[baked beans|baked bean]] market.<ref name="Pringle 2008">{{cite book | last=Pringle | first=H. | title=Brand Immortality: How Brands Can Live Long and Prosper | publisher=Kogan Page | series=Gale virtual reference library | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7494-5572-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ajCisTroX4C&pg=PA232 | access-date=27 October 2017 | page=232}}</ref> This marketing included an advert, featuring a Branston Bean Tin explaining how Branston Beans are very "saucy".<ref name="Pringle 2008"/> Promotional activities included a 'Great British Bean Poll' where members of the public across the country were invited to blind taste both 'the brand leader' (assumed to be Heinz) and Branston.<ref name="Pringle 2008"/> In the poll, 76% of participants picked Branston over Heinz. Heinz elected to change their recipe in the face of this aggressive activity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gill |first=Joe |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/541984/heinz-change-baked-beans-recipe-faces-branston-challenge/ |title=Heinz to change baked beans recipe as it faces Branston challenge |publisher=Brandrepublic.com |date=21 February 2006 |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref>
=== The Pickle Crisis of 2004 ===
At 3am on [[27 October]] [[2004]] a massive fire almost destroyed the entire Bury St Edmunds factory and cut the stocks of Branston Pickle in half <ref>
{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/3957303.stm |title=Blaze forces pickle plant closure|publisher=BBC News |date=2004-10-27 |accessdate=2007-01-30}} </ref>, thus reducing the supply of the product and in some instances increasing the price, rather conveniently for the manufacturers. The factory is now back in production and has recently launched Branston [[Tomato ketchup|Tomato Ketchup]] and [[Steak sauce|Brown Sauce]] along with a range of relishes and [[Baked Beans]].


Premier Foods also attempted to leverage the traditional Branston Pickle brand name by producing Branston Relishes in four different flavours: Hot Chilli & Jalapeño, Gherkin, Sweet Onion and Tomato & Red Pepper.<ref>{{cite book | title=Marketing | publisher=Haymarket Press | year=2005 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ePAdAQAAMAAJ | access-date=27 October 2017 | page=10}}</ref>
==Brand Extension==
⚫
At one stage [[Walkers]] Crisps (known as "chips" in the USA) produced a variety called "Cheese and Branston Pickle"<ref>[http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1560 Cheese and Branston flavour Walkers Crisps](accessed 21 February 2007) </ref>


Around November 2015, a sweet chili-flavoured pickle was launched, and the brand's rich and fruity sauce was re-launched, along with two new sauce flavours, rich and spicy and rich and smoky.<ref name="FoodBev Media 2015">{{cite web | title=Branston launches new flavoured pickle and table sauces | website=FoodBev Media | date=4 November 2015 | url=https://www.foodbev.com/news/branston-launches-new-flavoured-pickle-and-table-sauces/ | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Branston launched its tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and [[brown sauce]] lines in single-serving [[Packet (container)|sachet]] packaging.<ref>{{cite web | last=Panthaki | first=Fabian | title=Mizkan Expands Foodservice Offers From Branston, Sarson's | website=KamCity | date=27 October 2017 | url=https://www.kamcity.com/namnews/products-promotions/mizkan-expands-foodservice-offers-from-branston-sarsons/ | access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
[[Image:Branston_Beans_Advert.jpg|thumb|right|Branston Beans Advert]]


⚫
[[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]] once produced a variety of crisps called "Cheese and Branston Pickle".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1560 |title=Walkers Cheese and Branston Pickle Feathers Crisps |publisher=Taquitos.net |access-date=20 February 2014}}</ref>
⚫
In [[October 2005]], Premier Foods Plc launched Branston Baked Beans. The marketing and promotion of this product was aimed squarely at challenging Heinz's dominance of the UK baked bean market. This marketing included an advert, featuring a Branston Bean Tin explaining how Branston Beans are very "saucy." Promotional activities included a 'Great British Bean Poll' where members of the public across the country were invited to blind taste both 'the brand leader' (assumed to be Heinz) and Branston. 76% of participants picked Branston over the brand leader. Heinz was subsequently obliged to re-evaluate its advertising strategy in the face of this aggressive activity, although in public Heinz spokespeople dismissed the challenge as a 'non-starter'.


==External links==
==Sale to Mizkan==
[[File:Branston Depot - the original home of Branston Pickle - geograph.org.uk - 208273.jpg|thumb|left|Branston Depot - the original factory of Branston Pickle; on Burton Road, Branston, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire]]
⚫
*[http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/brands/branston.cfm Branston Pickle on the Premier Foods website]
In late 2012, it was announced that as part of an aggressive debt reduction strategy, Premier Foods would be selling the Branston brand to Japanese food manufacturer [[Mizkan]] Group for £92.5 million, joining [[Sarson's]] vinegar and [[Haywards (pickles)|Hayward's pickled onions]] as recent Premier Foods to Mizkan brand acquisitions.<ref name="Ruddick 2012"/> The Bury St Edmunds plant continues to manufacture Branston products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20135080 |title=BBC News - Branston sold by Premier Foods to Japan's Mizkan |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=20 February 2014}}</ref>
*[http://www.recipezaar.com/26952 Recipe for Branston Pickle]


{{Clear}}
== Notes ==

<references/>
==See also==
{{Portal|Food}}
* [[Anglo-Indian cuisine]]
* [[List of brand name condiments]]
* [[List of chutneys]]
* [[Major Grey's Chutney]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="Martin 2017">{{cite book | last=Martin | first=K. | title=Famous Brand Names and Their Origins | publisher=Pen & Sword Books Limited | year=2017 | isbn=978-1-78159-015-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c76wDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 | access-date=27 October 2017 | pages=8–9}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Branston Pickle}}
*{{Official website|http://www.bringoutthebranston.co.uk/}}
⚫
* [http://www.mizkan.co.uk/our-brands/ Branston Pickle on the Mizkan website]
* [https://www.facebook.com/bringoutthebranston Branston Pickle Facebook Page]
* [https://twitter.com/BranstonUK Branston Pickle Twitter Account]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Branston (Food)}}
[[Category:Food brands of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:English brands]]
[[Category:1922 establishments in England]]
[[Category:British condiments]]
[[Category:British condiments]]
[[Category:Premier Foods brands|Branston]]
[[Category:Mizkan brands]]
[[Category:Brand name condiments]]
[[Category:Brand name condiments]]
[[Category:British cuisine]]
[[Category:Brown sauces]]

Latest revision as of 11:02, 24 December 2024

A jar of Branston Pickle when it was sold under the Crosse and Blackwell brand
Product typePickle, sauces
OwnerMizkan
CountryEngland
Introduced1922
Previous ownersCrosse and Blackwell
Nestlé
Premier Foods
TaglineBring out the Branston
Websitebringoutthebranston.co.uk

Branston is an English food brand best known for the original Branston Pickle, a sweet pickle first made in 1922 in the village of Branston near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, by Crosse & Blackwell.[1][2][3] The Branston factory proved to be uneconomical, and production was moved to Crosse & Blackwell subsidiary, E Lazenby & Sons in Bermondsey, London, where it invested in new buildings in 1924 and 1926, which remained in use until 1969.[4][5]

In 2004, the pickle business was sold by Nestlé to Premier Foods and production was moved to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.[6][7] Premier Foods sold the brand to Mizkan in 2013,[8] at which time it ceased to be labelled as Crosse and Blackwell because in Europe this name was sold separately to Princes Group. Over 17 million jars a year are sold in the UK.[9]

Original pickle

[edit]
Branston Pickle

Branston Pickle is made from a variety of diced vegetables, including swede, carrots, onions and cauliflower pickled in a sauce made from vinegar, tomato, apple and spices.[9] While not a chutney, Branston Pickle is sweet and spicy with a "chutney-like" consistency, containing chunks of vegetables in a thick brown sticky sauce.[9] It is commonly served as part of a ploughman's lunch, a popular menu item in British pubs.[10] It is also frequently combined with cheese in sandwiches, and many sandwich shops in the UK offer cheese and pickle as an option.[10] It is available in the standard 'chunky' version, a 'small chunk' variety, and a 'smooth' variety that is pureed, which makes it easier to spread onto bread; convenient squeeze-bottle packs are amongst the range. Branston also has flavoured pickles including Sweet Chilli and Beetroot flavoured pickle.[11]

Brand extension

[edit]

Additional Branston products include mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, piccalilli, brown sauce, salad cream, and baked beans.[12]

In October 2005, Premier Foods launched Branston Baked Beans. The marketing and promotion of this product were aimed at challenging Heinz's dominance of the UK baked bean market.[13] This marketing included an advert, featuring a Branston Bean Tin explaining how Branston Beans are very "saucy".[13] Promotional activities included a 'Great British Bean Poll' where members of the public across the country were invited to blind taste both 'the brand leader' (assumed to be Heinz) and Branston.[13] In the poll, 76% of participants picked Branston over Heinz. Heinz elected to change their recipe in the face of this aggressive activity.[14]

Premier Foods also attempted to leverage the traditional Branston Pickle brand name by producing Branston Relishes in four different flavours: Hot Chilli & Jalapeño, Gherkin, Sweet Onion and Tomato & Red Pepper.[15]

Around November 2015, a sweet chili-flavoured pickle was launched, and the brand's rich and fruity sauce was re-launched, along with two new sauce flavours, rich and spicy and rich and smoky.[11] In 2017, Branston launched its tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and brown sauce lines in single-serving sachet packaging.[16]

Walkers once produced a variety of crisps called "Cheese and Branston Pickle".[17]

Sale to Mizkan

[edit]
Branston Depot - the original factory of Branston Pickle; on Burton Road, Branston, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire

In late 2012, it was announced that as part of an aggressive debt reduction strategy, Premier Foods would be selling the Branston brand to Japanese food manufacturer Mizkan Group for £92.5 million, joining Sarson's vinegar and Hayward's pickled onions as recent Premier Foods to Mizkan brand acquisitions.[1] The Bury St Edmunds plant continues to manufacture Branston products.[18]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ruddick, Graham (30 October 2012). "Branston Pickle sold to Japan's Mizkan in £92.5m deal". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  2. ^ Ayto, J. (2012). The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink. Oxford Quick reference collection. OUP Oxford. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-19-964024-9. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. ^ van Wyk, B.E. (2014). Culinary Herbs and Spices of the World. University of Chicago Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-226-09183-9. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. ^ Bourke, Joanna (6 December 2016). "London Square buys former Branston pickle Bermondsey site for flats". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Crosse and Blackwell / E Lazenby & Sons". Exploring Southwark. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  6. ^ Owen, R.; Dynes, M. (1992). Tuttle guide to the single European market: a comprehensive handbook. C.E. Tuttle. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-8048-1815-5. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Pickle 'demand rises' after fire". BBC News. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Branston sold by Premier Foods". BBC News. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Martin, K. (2017). Famous Brand Names and Their Origins. Pen & Sword Books Limited. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-1-78159-015-7. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  10. ^ a b Kazmier, Penny (26 January 2016). "In the U.K., the Branston Pickle adds crunchy, savory kick to sandwiches". Daily Herald. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Branston launches new flavoured pickle and table sauces". FoodBev Media. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  12. ^ Evans, Graeme (30 October 2012). "The £90m pickle: Branston sold to Japan firm". The Independent. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  13. ^ a b c Pringle, H. (2008). Brand Immortality: How Brands Can Live Long and Prosper. Gale virtual reference library. Kogan Page. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-7494-5572-9. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  14. ^ Gill, Joe (21 February 2006). "Heinz to change baked beans recipe as it faces Branston challenge". Brandrepublic.com. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  15. ^ Marketing. Haymarket Press. 2005. p. 10. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  16. ^ Panthaki, Fabian (27 October 2017). "Mizkan Expands Foodservice Offers From Branston, Sarson's". KamCity. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Walkers Cheese and Branston Pickle Feathers Crisps". Taquitos.net. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  18. ^ "BBC News - Branston sold by Premier Foods to Japan's Mizkan". Bbc.co.uk. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
[edit]
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