ReaLemon facts for kids
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The logo of ReaLime (2016)
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| Owner | Mott's, part of Keurig Dr Pepper |
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| Introduced | ReaLemon in 1934, ReaLime in 1944 |
| Previous owners | Irving Swartzburg (inventor), Borden, Eagle Family Foods |
ReaLemon is a popular American brand of lemon juice. It first appeared in 1934. Today, it is made and sold by Mott's, which is part of Keurig Dr Pepper.
ReaLime is a brand of lime juice. It started in 1944. ReaLime is made in the same way as ReaLemon. Mott's also makes and sells ReaLime.
Both ReaLemon and ReaLime are made by adding clean water to juice concentrate. This makes the juice the same strength as natural lemon or lime juice. These juices are used in many recipes. ReaLemon is also used in drinks. They even have some uses outside of cooking!
Contents
The Story of ReaLemon and ReaLime
How It All Started
ReaLemon was created in 1934 by a person named Irving Swartzburg. He began his business by selling bottled lemon juice to places like hotels and bars. This juice was made from squeezed lemons. The name "ReaLemon" started to be used in the early 1940s.
ReaLime, the lime juice version, came out later in 1944. It is also made from lime juice concentrate.
Changes in Ownership
In 1962, a big U.S. company called Borden bought the rights to ReaLemon and ReaLime. At that time, ReaLemon was very popular. It made up about 90% of all bottled lemon juice sold in the United States.
By the early 1970s, ReaLemon still had a huge share of the market. But then, other companies started making their own bottled lemon juice. This caused ReaLemon's market share to drop a little.
The Lemon-Shaped Bottle Case
ReaLemon became successful in Europe. So, Borden introduced it in the United Kingdom in 1975. Another company, Reckitt & Coleman, made a popular lemon juice called Jif. Jif was famous for its lemon-shaped bottle.
Borden then planned to sell ReaLemon in a similar lemon-shaped package. This led to a lawsuit. Reckitt & Coleman said that Borden was copying Jif's packaging. They believed it would confuse customers.
The case was called "The Jif Lemon case." In 1990, a court decided that Jif's packaging was well-known. The court ruled that customers would likely think ReaLemon was Jif Lemon if they saw it on a store shelf. This decision helped protect Jif's unique packaging.
New Owners for the Brands
In 1998, a company called Eagle Family Foods bought ReaLemon and ReaLime from Borden. Then, in 2001, Mott's bought the brands from Eagle Family Foods. Mott's was part of Cadbury Schweppes at the time. Today, Mott's is part of Keurig Dr Pepper.
In 2001, both ReaLemon and ReaLime were leaders in the bottled lemon and lime juice market. They each had about 48% of the market share.
How ReaLemon and ReaLime Are Made
The Production Process
ReaLemon is a "reconstituted" product. This means it's made by adding filtered water to concentrated lemon juice. To keep it fresh, a preservative called sulphites is added. A little lemon oil is also added to make the flavor better. Once bottled, the liquid is similar in strength to fresh lemon juice.
ReaLime is made in a similar way. It also uses sulfites as a preservative and lime oil for flavor. As of 2016, Mott's was responsible for making and selling both products.
Packaging and Safety
ReaLemon comes in plastic bottles. These bottles often have a picture of a lemon on top and a yellow cap. ReaLime uses the same bottle shape but has a lime picture and a green cap. ReaLemon is also sold in small squeeze packs that look like whole lemons. You can also find ReaLemon in single-serving packets.
In 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checked a processing plant. They found that some lemon and lime juice was not stored in perfectly clean conditions. The FDA told the company that they needed to make sure the juice was safe for everyone. The company managers were advised to reduce any tiny organisms to protect customers.
Ways to Use ReaLemon and ReaLime
Cooking and Baking Uses
About two to three tablespoons of ReaLemon lemon juice is like the juice from one average-sized lemon. Both ReaLemon and ReaLime are great for many recipes. You can use them in baking, grilling, and to make marinades for meat. They are also good for salad dressings.
ReaLemon can be added to hot tea or used to make lemonade. It's also an ingredient in many cooked dishes and baked goods, like pies. Lemon juice can even stop peeled or sliced potatoes from turning brown. You just soak the potato slices in a mix of lemon juice and water. Remember, both ReaLemon and ReaLime need to be kept in the refrigerator after you open them.
Other Clever Uses
ReaLemon and other lemon juices can be used around the house. They work as a natural cleaner and deodorizer. This is because lemon juice is very acidic.
ReaLime can also be used to help whiten yellowing fingernails. You can soak your fingernails in a mix of ReaLime, salt, and warm water for about ten minutes.
See also
- Jif – a brand of lemon juice also made from reconstituted lemon juice concentrate
