Aunt Jemima

Aunt Jemima

Aunt Jemima

Aunt Jemima is a brand of pancake mix, syrup, and other breakfast foods that was originally created in 1889 by the Pearl Milling Company. The brand has gone through several changes over the years, including its name and image.

History

The original Aunt Jemima pancake mix was created by Chris L. Rutt and Charles G. Underwood, who were looking for a way to make a quick and easy pancake mix that could be sold in bulk. They decided to market their product under the name "Aunt Jemima" and used the image of a stereotypical "mammy" character on the packaging.

Over the years, the Aunt Jemima brand has gone through several changes. The character on the packaging was eventually changed to a more modern, less offensive image, and the brand was purchased by Quaker Oats in 1926. In 2020, the brand was retired and replaced with the new Pearl Milling Company brand, in an effort to move away from racist stereotypes.

Products

The Aunt Jemima brand offered a variety of breakfast products, including pancake mix, syrup, and frozen breakfast items. Its pancake mix was known for its convenience and ease of use, as it only required the addition of water.

Controversy

The Aunt Jemima brand has been criticized for its use of racist stereotypes, particularly the character of Aunt Jemima herself. The brand has faced numerous protests and calls for boycotts over the years, and in 2020, amid a nationwide reckoning on racial justice, the brand was officially retired.

Legacy

Despite the controversy surrounding the brand, Aunt Jemima remains a well-known and recognizable name in the world of breakfast foods. Its pancake mix and syrup products continue to be sold under the new Pearl Milling Company brand, which aims to honor the legacy of the original product while moving away from its racist past.

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