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 came out in 1934. Today, it's made by Mott's, which is part of Keurig Dr Pepper. ReaLime is a brand of lime juice. It started in 1944 and is also made by Mott's.
Both ReaLemon and ReaLime are made by adding filtered water to juice concentrate. This makes them a natural-strength juice. Irving Swartzburg created ReaLemon in 1934. He started using the "ReaLemon" name in the early 1940s.
In 1962, a company called Borden bought the rights to the ReaLemon brand. Later, in 1998, Eagle Family Foods took over the brand. Finally, in 2001, Mott's bought both ReaLemon and ReaLime.
People use both products in many different recipes. ReaLemon is also used in some drinks. These juices also have some uses outside of cooking.
Contents
The Story of ReaLemon and ReaLime
ReaLemon was invented in 1934 by Irving Swartzburg. He began by selling bottled lemon juice to hotels and bars. The name "ReaLemon" became official in the early 1940s. ReaLime, the lime juice version, came out ten years later in 1944.
The company Borden bought ReaLemon and ReaLime in 1962. They paid about $12.4 million for the ReaLemon-Puritan Company. At that time, ReaLemon was very popular. It made up about 90% of all bottled lemon juice sold in the United States.
By 1970, ReaLemon still had a huge share of the market, about 92%. But then, other companies like Golden Crown started selling their own lemon juice. This caused ReaLemon's share to drop a bit.
ReaLemon's Journey to the UK
After doing well in Europe, Borden brought ReaLemon to the United Kingdom in 1975. It was sold in 250 ml bottles. By 1980, ReaLemon made up about 25% of the lemon juice market in the UK.
Another company, Reckitt & Coleman, made a popular lemon juice called Jif. Jif came in a special lemon-shaped bottle. When ReaLemon started planning to use similar lemon-shaped packaging, Reckitt & Coleman sued them. They said ReaLemon was copying Jif's look to confuse customers.
This legal case was called "The Jif Lemon case." It was decided in 1990. The court ruled that Jif's lemon-shaped packaging was well-known. People would likely think ReaLemon was Jif if it looked the same. So, the court sided with Jif, even though Jif had not officially registered their plastic lemon packaging.
Who Owns ReaLemon Now?
Eagle Family Foods bought ReaLemon and ReaLime from Borden in 1998. Then, in 2001, Mott's bought both brands from Eagle Family Foods. Mott's was part of Cadbury Schweppes at the time. Now, Mott's is part of Keurig Dr Pepper.
The purchase cost about $128 million. In 2001, ReaLemon and ReaLime were very successful. They held about 48% of the market for lemon and lime juices. This made them a top seller.
How ReaLemon and ReaLime Are Made
ReaLemon is made from lemon juice concentrate. This concentrate is carefully prepared to be a consistent strength. Water is then added to it, making it a 100% lemon juice product. When bottled, filtered water is used to bring it back to the strength of natural lemon juice. Mott's currently makes and sells both ReaLemon and ReaLime.
Both brands come in unique bottles. ReaLemon bottles have a yellow cap and a lemon shape at the top. ReaLime bottles have a green cap and a lime shape at the top. ReaLemon has also been sold in small, lemon-shaped squeeze packs. You can also find ReaLemon in single-serving packets.
In 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave a warning to the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. This was about issues found at a processing plant in Texas. The FDA found that some lemon and lime juice was kept in unclean conditions. This could have been a health risk for people buying the juice. The company was told to reduce germs to keep customers safe.
Ways to Use ReaLemon and ReaLime
Cooking and Baking Uses
About two to three tablespoons of ReaLemon juice is like the juice from one average lemon. Both ReaLemon and ReaLime are used in many recipes. You can use them for baking, grilling, or in marinades and salad dressings.
ReaLemon is great in hot tea, lemonade, or hot lemonade. It's also used in cooked dishes and baked goods like pies. Lemon juice can even stop peeled or sliced potatoes from turning brown. Just soak the potato slices in a mix of lemon juice and water. Remember to put ReaLemon and ReaLime bottles in the refrigerator after you open them.
Other Clever Uses
ReaLemon and other lemon juices can be used to clean and freshen your home. This works because lemon juice is very acidic. ReaLime can also be used on your fingernails. If your nails are yellow, you can soak them in a mix of ReaLime, salt, and warm water for ten minutes to help whiten them.
See also
- Jif – a brand of lemon juice made from reconstituted lemon juice concentrate
