Founded in Norwich in 1814, Colman’s has been at the heart of British dinner times for over 200 years.
Colman’s is the original brand of English mustard. Founded in Norwich in 1814, the mustard has been popular for 200 years, making it one of the oldest brands in the Unilever portfolio. As well as the classic mustard, Colman’s produces a wide range of sauces such as mint sauce.
Colman’s has a proud tradition and rich heritage spanning these past two centuries - few brand names can boast such a firm link with a product in the way that Colman’s has become synonymous with mustard.
In 1814, Jeremiah Colman first advertised his mustard in the Norwich Chronicle. He made his mustard at a water mill just south of Norwich, and in keeping with the day, the business was family-run. Norwich is a town steeped in Colman’s history, particular in the family’s pioneering achievements in social welfare: in 1857 a school was opened for the employees' children, while in 1864 the company employed a nurse to help sick members of staff - a social revolution at the time.
Unilever take great pride of our Norfolk roots and place in the community, still sourcing Colman’s mustard (and mint leaves) from many of the same farms, and in some cases, the same families - some of our current farmers are 5th generation Colman’s mustard seed growers.
The familiar bull's head logo has been part of much of the brand’s long-standing history, first appearing on the company's English Mustard in 1855. Introduced as the firm's trademark, the bull's head remains a symbol of both the tradition and quality that has always been part and parcel of Colman’s, from the early 1800s to today.
The distinctive red and yellow livery too is a historic mark and was introduced to the label in 1866. In that same year, the ultimate seal of approval came when the company was granted the Royal Warrant as manufacturers to Queen Victoria - the Warrant which can still be seen on all Colman's products today.
The welfare benefits introduced by Jeremiah Colman parallel with Lord Lever’s work in the village of Port Sunlight, the birthplace of Unilever, later in the 19th century, making the purchase of the Colman’s brand by Unilever in 1995 a natural next step in its journey. Today, Colman’s not only provides the UK’s favourite range of mustards, but there are also condiments like mint, apple and tartare sauce in both the UK and Ireland, plus a wide selection of casserole mixes and pour over sauces, all designed to help family meals taste great.
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