Crisco
Crisco is an American brand of shortening and other cooking oils originally introduced in 1911 by Procter & Gamble.
Crisco is an American brand of shortening and other cooking oils originally introduced in 1911 by Procter & Gamble. It was the first shortening made entirely from vegetable oil and became widely known as an alternative to lard for baking and frying. The brand is now owned by B&G Foods.
History
Crisco was introduced in 1911 by Procter & Gamble. It was developed from hydrogenated vegetable oil and became one of the best-known branded shortenings in the United States.
Product development
The original Crisco was made from cottonseed oil processed by hydrogenation, which turned liquid oil into a solid fat. Over time, the formula and product range changed, including the addition of oils and cooking spray.
Marketing and cultural impact
Crisco was promoted as a substitute for animal fats such as lard. It became a staple in many American kitchens and is especially associated with baking traditions, including pie crusts.
Ownership
Procter & Gamble created and originally owned the brand. Crisco was later sold to other companies, and B&G Foods became the owner in 2020.
Key facts
- Crisco debuted in 1911 as the first shortening made entirely from vegetable oil.
- The original product used hydrogenated cottonseed oil.
- The name is commonly explained as short for "crystallized cottonseed oil".
- Crisco was marketed as an alternative to lard and butter for cooking and baking.
- B&G Foods acquired the Crisco brand in December 2020.
Crisco is sold in North American grocery markets and is familiar to Canadian readers as a baking and frying shortening, especially in older recipes and pie-making traditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Crisco?
When was Crisco first introduced?
Who originally made Crisco?
What was Crisco originally made from?
Who owns Crisco now?
References
- Crisco — https://crisco.com/our-heritage/Supports: Brand history and heritage; original all-vegetable shortening positioning.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CriscoSupports: Introduction date, original producer, original vegetable-oil formulation, current owner, and product expansion.
- Live Science — https://www.livescience.com/history-of-crisco.htmlSupports: Historical account of Crisco as the first solid shortening made entirely from plant oil and its hydrogenation-based development.
- NPR — https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/01/09/144918710/the-forgotten-fascinating-saga-of-criscoSupports: Historical context on Crisco's rise, vegetable-oil formulation, and trans-fat reformulation.