Cerealine facts for kids
American Hominy Co. advertisement for Toasted Cerealine Flake
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| Place of origin | United States |
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| Region or state | Columbus, Indiana |
| Created by | James Vannoy circa 1884 or 1887 |
| Main ingredients | Corn grits |
Cerealine was a popular American breakfast cereal from the 1800s. It was also known as malt flakes. This cereal was special because it was the very first dry breakfast food sold in American stores.
Cerealine was made from corn grits shaped into uncooked flakes. It was a bit like corn flakes, which came out later in 1898. But unlike corn flakes, Cerealine was not toasted. It was first used by companies that made beer.
Later, a version called Toasted Cerealine Flakes became very popular. People often just called it Cerealine. This cereal was made by the Cerealine Manufacturing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. Later, the American Hominy Company took over.
Contents
What is Cerealine?
Cerealine was a type of cereal made from corn grits. Grits are small pieces of corn. For Cerealine, these grits were flattened into thin, uncooked flakes.
It was different from many cereals today because it wasn't cooked before you bought it. You would prepare it at home. This made it one of the first "ready-to-eat" style cereals, even if it needed a little cooking.
The Story of Cerealine
Corn flakes, called cerealine, were used for making beer as early as the mid-1800s. A company in Aurora, Indiana, called T. & J.W. Gaff & Co., built the Cerealine Mill in Columbus, Indiana, in 1867.
Their Cerealine Manufacturing Company later moved to Indianapolis. The old mill building in Columbus is still there. It was fixed up and is now used as a cafeteria and meeting place. The area around the Cerealine Works was even called Cerealinetown before it became part of Indianapolis.
Who Invented Breakfast Cerealine?
The idea for white-corn cerealine flakes as a breakfast cereal came from a mill worker named James Vannoy. He worked in Columbus, Indiana. He likely invented it by accident around 1884 or 1887.
In 1902, Vannoy's obituary (a notice about his death) said he found a way to roll the corn grain into "thin layers or flakes." He told his boss, Joseph F. Gent, about his discovery. At first, Gent didn't think it was important. But later, Gent got a patent for the discovery. Soon, Cerealine was being sold everywhere!
Cerealine's Popularity
By 1897, Cerealine was a well-known breakfast food. A report from the Illinois Farmer's Institute mentioned it. It said that "Some mills make hominy of white corn, roll it into broad, flat flakes, called cerealine, which are used here as a breakfast dish...."
Cerealine became one of the three most popular cereals of its time. The others were cracked wheat and oatmeal. Back then, stores often bought cereal in large barrels. They would scoop it out and sell it to customers by the pound. Later, Toasted Cerealine Flakes were sold in packages, just like cereals today.
The American Hominy Company
In 1902, the Cerealine Manufacturing Company joined with several other companies. These included Indianapolis Hominy Mills and others from Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Iowa. They all came together to form a new company called the American Hominy Company. This new company was based in Indianapolis.
In 1907, a trade magazine reported that the company was bringing back Toasted Cerealine Flakes. The article said it would sound "familiar to the man who has a good memory." It mentioned that the "new" flaked corn product was selling well. The article also said that if "Toasted Cerealine Flakes" was "half as good as the old article," it would be very popular.
Cerealine was an important part of breakfast history. It helped pave the way for many of the dry cereals we enjoy today.
Images for kids
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American Hominy Co. advertisement for Toasted Cerealine Flake
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Cerealine trading card ("Marguerite"), late 19th century, Moss Engraving Co.
