Our Brands

Branston

Branston

Crosse & Blackwell first produced Branston Pickle in 1922. This classic British product is still made using the same secret recipe and traditional methods today.

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Sarson’s

Sarson’s

Since 1794 Sarson’s vinegar has been brewed and mature in vats using a traditional process.

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Haywards

Haywards

Haywards has been producing the UK’s favourite pickled vegetables since 1868. The Haywards portfolio includes Pickled Onions, Mixed Pickles and Piccalilli.

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Dufrais

Dufrais

The UK’s leading producer of specialty vinegars, Dufrais are renowned for their distinctive, delicate, and fresh fruity flavours.

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Mizkan

Mizkan

The Mizkan Group has been producing authentic Japanese sushi seasonings and vinegars, for over 200 years.

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All About Mizkan

Mizkan Euro Ltd. is a subsidiary of the Japanese company Mizkan Group, one of the largest privately owned food companies and the number one manufacturer of sushi seasoning in the world. The group dates back to 1804 and is now under the eighth generation of Nakano family ownership. Mizkan Group acquired the much-loved British brands Sarson’s, Haywards and Dufrais in 2012, and Branston in 2013 to add to its portfolio of market leading Japanese products.

Mizkan News

Cooking causes quarrels for 37.6M Brits

– Making a mess while cooking is the number one reason for brawls – Nearly half of couples cook steak and chips to liven up their love life – Salad is named the number one dish Brits can make from

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TV chef Andy Bates creates five tasty recipes to celebrate launch of Branston Relish

Branston has teamed up with the star of Food Network’s Street Feasts, Andy Bates, to celebrate the launch of the condiment brand’s exciting new range of relishes this month. Bates, who is known for his modern twists on classic dishes,

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Recipe of the Day

Thai Beef Salad

Trim any fat from the steak and cut into strips. Mix together the lemon grass puree, ginger puree, coriander, fish sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and chilli sauce and pour over the stead. Turn the meat over until coated, then cover

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Mizkan History

  • 5000BC

    Vinegar is first mentioned in literature, originally made from date palm or raisin
    Date Palm

  • 4th century

    Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine notes the antibacterial effect of vinegar and uses it to treat respiratory diseases, skin disease and coughs

  • 11th century

    Balsamic vinegar is first produced in Italy

  • 1603-1868

    The first sushi ‘nare-zushi’, is introduced in Edo (the old name for Tokyo).

  • 1799

    Yohei Hanaya, the creator of Nigiri-sushi, is born in Fukui Prefecture

  • 1804

    Company Established

    Matazaemon Nakano, a Japanese sake producer, has the idea of brewing vinegar from sake lees (a by-product of Japanese sake brewing)

  • 1811

    The Mizkan Handa Plant begins operation

  • 1842

    The Birth of “Yamabuki”

    ‘Yamabuki’, a premium rice vinegar is introduced

  • 1887

    “Mizkan Logo” Registered

    The famous Mizkan mark is derived from Matazaemon Nakano IV's family crest.

  • 1895

    The Manor Vinegar Brewery (later to be bought by Mizkan), is established in Lozells, a suburb of Birmingham, England, in an old beer brewery.

  • 1896

    Mizkan begins to export from Japan to the U.S

  • 1942

    Nakano Biochemical Research Centre (now the Central Research Institute) Opened

  • 1950s

    The Manor Vinegar Brewery moves premises to Burntwood, Staffs

  • 1954

    Vinegar Bottling Began

  • 1964

    “Ajipon” was Introduced

  • 1968

    “Pure Food Campaign”

  • 1971

    “Beyond Vinegar Strategy”

    Originally dubbed the “Non-Vinegar Product Strategy”, calls for efforts to increase vinegar sales while further developing non-vinegar products

  • 1978

    Research Center Received Agricultural Chemistry Technology Award

  • 1979

    “Honteri” is Introduced in Japan

    The ease of use and availability of this mirin sweet seasoning met the needs of consumers perfectly.
    Hontori

  • 1981

    Major U.S. Vinegar Manufacturer “American Industries Co.” Acquired

  • 1986

    “SU-no-SATO” Japan’s First Comprehensive Vinegar Museum Opens.

  • 1988

    “Tsuyu” was Introduced in Japan

    Mizkan’s “Tsuyu” soup base, is introduced in Japan Sourced from the Group History in the Mizkan Group Company Profile.

  • 1990

    “Gomoku Chirashi” a ready-to-use pouch-packed chirashi sushi mixture is introduced in Japan.

  • 1992

    New Headquarter Building Completed

    The New Mizkan Headquarter Building is completed in the city of Handa, Japan.

  • 1994

    Mizkan Rice Vinegar is launched into the UK and Europe

  • 1998

    Nakano Europe Ltd. is established in Europe, initially selling imported Mizkan rice vinegar and seasoned rice vinegar

  • 2002

    Mizkan Group Corporation purchases Manor Vinegar Ltd. Nakano Europe Ltd begins to run the UK and European operation from its offices in Burntwood, Staffordshire. Mizkan acquires the Manor Vinegar Brewery from Greencore PLC.

  • 2003

    Kazuhide Matazaemon Nakano VIII takes over at the helmhelm of Mizkan

  • 2004

    Adoption of New Group Vision and Group Vision Symbol

    Nakano Europe Ltd changes its name to Mizkan UK Ltd. Mizkan Asia Pacific Pte.Ltd is established. Mizkan adopts a new corporate symbol

  • 2005

    Mizkan Rice Vinegars becomes widely available in UK supermarkets

  • 2007

    Mizkan donates three tonnes of wood to rebuild the famous 19th Century ship, the Cutty Sark, after having been badly damaged in a fire.

    Cutty Sark

  • 2010

    Mizkan UK Ltd changes its name to Mizkan Europe Ltd.

  • 2012

    Nakano UK Vinegar is established and acquires the strong and iconic vinegar brands Sarson’s and Dufrais as well as the beloved pickles brand Haywards and its production facilities from Premier Foods PLC and continues to develop its business foundation for further growth in the UK.
    Cutty Sark

  • 2013

    Nakano UK Vinegar acquires the Branston brand, spanning sweet pickles, relishes and table sauces. Nakano UK Vinegar purchases Mizkan Europe Ltd, consolidating the two companies.
    Branston

  • 2014

    Mizkan Europe Ltd, changes its name to Mizkan Euro Ltd.

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