Bertman Original Ballpark Mustard facts for kids
Bertman Original Ballpark Mustard is a special brown mustard. It's made by the Bertman Foods Company in Cleveland, Ohio. This company has been making different kinds of mustards since 1925. Bertman's mustard is very famous in the Cleveland area. You can find it served at many sports stadiums there.
There's another mustard called Stadium Authentic Mustard. It uses a recipe similar to Bertman's original. But the real "Bertman Original" mustard is still made by the Bertman family business.
Bertman's Famous Spicy Brown Mustard
Bertman's spicy brown mustard has been a favorite at Cleveland sports stadiums for over 90 years. It was served at places like League Park, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, and Progressive Field. Joe Bertman created this mustard for League Park. He was known for making special food items for his customers. He first made the mustard in his garage in Cleveland. Sports fans know Bertman's mustard very well. An ESPN.com writer, Jim Caple, even called it the "signature concession item."
How Bertman Foods Started
Joseph "Joe" Bertman started his business when he was in his twenties. He began with a partner in a garage at his home in Cleveland. They processed and packaged spices and pickles there. Joe Bertman later bought out his partner. He then expanded his sales area from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After WWII, he had special rights to distribute many food products. He had a fleet of trucks and a big sales team.
The company moved to a new location in the mid-1930s. It also changed its name to Bertman Pickle Co.. Soon after, the company moved again. Later, it became the Bertman Foods Company. Today, it is located on Grand Avenue in Cleveland.
The company sold many items. These included pickles, salad dressings, spices, coffees, teas, and canned foods. They sold these to schools, hospitals, and other large food businesses. Joe Bertman's company supplied mustard to League Park. This was the home of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. They also supplied mustard to the Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Joe Bertman was good at creating products his clients needed. He invented his spicy brown mustard in 1921.
His family's mustard is still served at major sports places in Cleveland today. The Stadium Authentic Mustard brand is sold in stores and online. It is served in over 150 stadiums across the United States. However, most Cleveland sports stadiums still sell the Bertman's Original brand.