Atora facts for kids

Atora is a famous British brand. It sells a special kind of fat called suet. Suet comes from around the kidneys of animals. Atora makes suet that is already shredded. This makes it much easier to use in cooking.

People in Britain often use suet in many traditional dishes. These include pie crusts, steamed puddings, and dumplings. Atora uses suet from cows and sheep. They also make a "vegetable suet" version. This one is made from vegetable fat.

The Story of Atora

For a long time, people bought suet in big blocks. They had to cut it up themselves. But in 1893, something new happened. A man named Gabriel Hugon created the first shredded suet. He was a Frenchman living in Manchester, England.

How Atora Was Invented

Gabriel Hugon saw his wife having trouble cutting suet in the kitchen. This gave him an idea. He decided to make suet that was already shredded. This way, it would be much easier for everyone to use. His invention saved a lot of time and effort for cooks.

What Does "Atora" Mean?

Gabriel Hugon named his new product "Atora." He got the name from the Spanish word "toro." "Toro" means "bull" in Spanish.

The Bull Connection

To show the link to bulls, Atora used to do something special. Before World War II, they moved their suet around the country. They used wagons pulled by six pairs of Hereford bulls. These wagons were painted and helped deliver the product.

Who Owns Atora Now?

Atora has changed owners a few times over the years.

Factory Locations

In 1974, the place where Atora was made changed. Production moved from Openshaw, Manchester. It went to a new factory in Greatham, near Hartlepool. The factory in Greatham stopped making Atora around 2002 or 2003.

Brand Ownership Changes

In 1963, a company called Rank Hovis McDougall bought the Atora brand. Later, in March 2007, Atora became part of Premier Foods. Premier Foods is a big food company. They now own Atora and many other food brands.