Cenovis facts for kids
Cenovis on bread, with jar in the background
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| Type | Spread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Region or state | Rheinfelden |
| Created by | Alex Villinger |
| Invented | 1931 |
| Main ingredients | Yeast extract |
Cenovis is a dark brown food spread from Switzerland. It is made from yeast extract, onions, carrots, and spices. You might find it similar to other spreads like English Marmite or Australian Vegemite.
Cenovis is full of vitamin B1, which is good for you! People often use it to add flavor to soups, sausages, and salads. But the most popular way to enjoy Cenovis is to spread it on a slice of buttered bread. You can also mix it into butter to use as a spread or a filling for croissants and buns.
The company doesn't say if the Swiss Cenovis was inspired by an older German version. Unlike similar yeast spreads, Swiss Cenovis was sold in tubes early on. It is also a bit lighter and more liquid.
Contents
Why Yeast is a Superfood
Since the early 1900s, many people have tried to turn brewer's yeast into food. This is because yeast is easy to find and very nutritious. Spreads like English Marmite (from 1902) and Australian Vegemite (from 1922) became very popular.
In 1912, a scientist named Casimir Funk discovered something important. He found an active ingredient that helps prevent certain sicknesses. He called it "vitamin." Yeast has a lot of thiamine (vitamin B1). This high vitamin content became a great way to advertise yeast spreads. It was even more exciting than its protein content, which people already knew about.
Cenovis Starts in Germany
In 1915, a company called Cenovis Nahrungsmittelwerke GmbH was started in Munich, Germany. It was a factory that used brewer's yeast and malt. They also made other foods like oatmeal and baking powder. This made them a big competitor to companies like Maggi.
The German Cenovis vitamin extract was available around 1920. It came in jars that said "unlimited shelf life." Cenovis products were linked to a health movement in Germany. In 1921, it was reported that Cenovis yeast extract was made from clean brewer's yeast. It had a texture like honey and tasted similar to meat extract, but even finer.
Swiss Cenovis is Born
Cenovis is very popular in Switzerland, especially in the French-speaking parts. It was first made in Rheinfelden, Switzerland, in 1931. A master brewer named Alex Villinger had the idea.
Since 1935, they have been making Cenovis extract along with brewer's yeast. In 1955, Cenovis became part of the Swiss Army's survival food. This means soldiers carried it with them! In 1965, a Swiss company bought all the rights to the Cenovis name and how it was made from the German company.
Cenovis Makes a Comeback
Cenovis yeast extract was created during tough economic times. It was meant to be a cheaper replacement for meat products like sausages. It's affordable, lasts a long time without needing a fridge, and is similar to Australia's Vegemite.
However, Cenovis sales in Switzerland started to go down. In German-speaking Switzerland, older people still liked it. But in French-speaking Switzerland, it became popular again after a relaunch in 1999. Michel Yagchi, with help from Didier Fischer and Frank Guemara, used modern marketing to make the brand exciting again.
In 2008, Michel Yagchi sold the brand to Gustav Gerig AG. This company is from the Aargau region, so Cenovis returned to its home area. Since 2008, Cenovis has been made by Sonaris AG in Arisdorf BL. Sonaris AG started in Rheinfelden AG in 1997. In 2008, Sonaris AG bought back the Swiss rights to the Cenovis brand. When sold internationally, especially in France, it uses the "Sonaris" brand name. In 2013, Cenovis AG and Sonaris AG joined together to become the Cenovis AG we know today.
The company shares a fun story about Cenovis:
"In 1931, a brewer found a way to reuse the yeast from making beer. This yeast was very rich in vitamin B1. After many tries, the product was perfected. A group of Swiss brewers then launched Cenovis. It was an instant hit! The famous spread was so good that from 1955, it was included in the food for Swiss soldiers... making them healthy and strong!"
See also
In Spanish: Cenovis para niños
