Gulden's facts for kids
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| Owner | Conagra Brands |
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| Introduced | 1862 |
| Previous owners | International Home Foods |
Gulden's is a well-known American brand that makes mustard. It's one of the top three mustard makers in the United States, right after French's and Grey Poupon. Gulden's is also one of the oldest mustard brands that has been making products non-stop in the U.S. Today, a big food company called ConAgra Foods owns Gulden's.
The brand is famous for its spicy brown mustard. This special mustard is made with a mix of different mustard seeds and spices. The exact recipe for Gulden's mustard has been a secret for over 140 years!
Contents
The Story of Gulden's Mustard
Charles Gulden's Early Life
Charles Gulden was born in New York City on September 23, 1843. When he was 15 years old, he started working as an engraver. An engraver carves designs onto metal or wood. Two years later, he began working for his uncle, who owned a company called Union Mustard Mills.
Starting His Own Business
After serving in the Civil War for a short time, Charles Gulden returned to his uncle's shop. But he soon decided to start his own mustard company in 1862. He chose a spot on Elizabeth Street in New York City. This location was perfect because it was close to the South Street shipping docks. Being near the docks made it easy for him to get the mustard seeds, spices, and special vinegars he needed for his recipes.
Growing the Product Line
By 1883, Gulden's company had grown a lot. They offered 30 different kinds of mustard! They also sold other food items like olives, capers, and even ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Because his business was doing so well, Charles Gulden moved to a bigger, six-story building on the same street.
Charles Gulden was very creative, thanks to his earlier work as an engraver. He once had a clever idea: "What if we put a spoon with every bottle of our No. 6 mustard, for free?" Soon, Gulden's started adding nice, imported spoons to each bottle of their mustard.
Awards and Recipe Changes
Gulden's mustard won several awards over the years. It earned honors in 1869 and 1883. It also won awards at big events like the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. More recently, it won an award at the Napa Valley Mustard Festival in 2005.
However, the Gulden's mustard you buy today is not exactly the same as the mustard that won those early awards. For example, in the 1960s, the ingredients listed on the label were "Mustard seed, vinegar, spices, and salt." Today, an ingredient called Turmeric is also listed.
Changes in Ownership
Charles Gulden passed away in 1916. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. After his death, Gulden's was sold to a company called American Home Foods. Later, this company became International Home Foods in 1996. Then, in 2000, ConAgra bought International Home Foods, and they own Gulden's today.
Today, Gulden's mustard is made in Milton, Pennsylvania.
See also
