Atora facts for kids

Atora is a well-known British brand. It sells pre-shredded suet. Suet is a hard fat found around the kidneys of animals like cattle and sheep.

In British cooking, suet often needs to be shredded for dishes. For example, it's used in pie crusts, steamed puddings, and dumplings. Atora makes cooking easier by providing suet that's already shredded. This saves time and effort in the kitchen.

Atora also offers a "vegetable suet" version. This is made from vegetable fat, so it's suitable for people who prefer not to eat animal products.

The Story of Atora

How Atora Began

A long time ago, people usually bought suet in big blocks from grocery stores. They had to cut it up themselves at home. But in 1893, something new came along: the first pre-shredded suet.

This clever idea came from Gabriel Hugon. He was a Frenchman living in Manchester, England. He saw his wife struggling to cut suet in their kitchen. This inspired him to create suet that was already shredded and ready to use.

What Does "Atora" Mean?

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

To show this connection, before the Second World War, Atora used a unique way to transport its suet. They used painted wagons pulled by six pairs of strong Hereford bulls to deliver the product around the country.

Who Owns Atora Now?

Changes in Production

For many years, Atora suet was made in a factory in Manchester. However, in 1974, the production moved. It went to a new site in Greatham, near Hartlepool. Production at the Greatham factory stopped around 2002 or 2003.

Company Ownership Over Time

Over the years, the Atora brand has been owned by different companies. In 1963, a company called Rank Hovis McDougall bought Atora.

Later, in March 2007, Atora became part of Premier Foods. Premier Foods is a large British food company that owns many popular brands. So, today, Premier Foods is the owner of the Atora brand.