A.1. Sauce

A.1. is a classic condiment that has graced dining tables for over 200 years. With its rich, well-balanced flavor, combining sour, sweet, and savory notes, it's popularly served with steak, roasted meats, grilled pork, sausages, ham, and bacon. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the story of this legendary sauce, which began at the royal table.

Royal Origins: A Sauce for King George IV (1820 AD)

The story of A.1. Sauce begins in 1820 in an English royal palace, created by Henderson William Brand, personal chef to King George IV of the United Kingdom.

Legend has it that King George IV grew tired of the usual steak sauces Henderson prepared. Thus, the chef created a special recipe just for the King, blending tomatoes, oranges, raisins, vinegar, salt, and spices to form a rich-flavored sauce.

After tasting this new sauce, His Majesty was exceedingly pleased and declared it A1, a term of commendation meaning "first class" at the time. From that moment on, this sauce became known as A.1. Sauce.

From Royal Court to Global Market: Widespread Popularity (1835 - 1960 AD)

In 1835, Henderson left his royal chef position to open his own shop in London, where he began selling A.1. Sauce under the brand Brand's International Sauce. It quickly gained immense popularity, especially among the British aristocracy.

In 1862, Henderson exhibited his sauce at the International Exhibition in Hyde Park, further boosting its recognition. He advertised that the sauce complemented a wide range of foods, from beef, pork, chicken, and lamb to fish and even lobster, and that it was a favorite of King George IV. In 1865, A.1. Sauce was officially appointed as a sauce for the British Royal Household.

Decades later, GF Heublein & Bros. acquired Henderson's sauce recipe for production in the United States, adapting its flavor to be richer and spicier to suit American tastes. After its launch, it rapidly gained popularity.

Adapting to Modern Tastes: From Steak Sauce to All-Purpose (1960 - Present)

In 1960, Americans developed a strong interest in beef consumption. Consequently, the company initiated a new marketing strategy, rebranding the sauce as A.1. Steak Sauce in the US market. They began promoting it as an ideal accompaniment for beef, noting its perfect flavor pairing and how the vinegar's acidity helped tenderize the meat.

However, over time, consumer preferences began to shift, and Americans started consuming less beef. Thus, in 2014, the company dropped the word Steak, reverting to just A.1. Sauce. This change aimed to advertise the sauce as a versatile, all-purpose condiment that could be used in a wide variety of dishes, not just limited to beef.

Over the years, A.1. Sauce has undergone countless adaptations to meet evolving consumer tastes, with various forms such as A.1. Bold & Spice, A.1. Sweet Hickory, and A.1. Thick & Hearty.

Currently, A.1. Sauce production in the United States is managed by Kraft-Heinz, while in the UK, it is overseen by Brand & co, a subsidiary of Premier Foods in the United Kingdom.