Folgers Coffee is a brand of ground coffee, instant and pods produced in the United States and sold there, as well as in Asia, Canada and Mexico. It is part of the food and beverage division of The J. M. Smucker Company.
The J. Smucker Company consistently offers delicious high quality coffee in a variety of formats, from liquid to whole or ground beans. But what is the history behind this iconic American coffee brand? Let's take a look at the fascinating story of Folgers Coffee. The history of Folgers Coffee dates back to the 17th century, when the Folger family left England in an attempt to search for gold. Who would have thought that almost 400 years later, the surname would be familiar thanks to one of America's favorite coffees? Folgers changed the way Americans drank their cup of coffee.
In 1850, the Folger Café was founded in San Francisco, California. This marked the beginning of Folgers' success in the United States. Frank Atha, a Folgers salesman, was able to hire two more salespeople and rent an office in Texas, and it wasn't long before Folgers was number one. The company's success allowed them to hire more staff, resulting in faster production and even more sales. In the early 19th century, commercially roasted coffee was available throughout New York City, but it was a luxury.
Until Folgers provided affordable coffee for purchase, ground coffee was unheard of at the wholesale level. In early 1963, Procter & Gamble acquired Folgers Coffee and began to market it nationally under the Folgers coffee brand. For 45 years, Procter & Gamble has owned Folgers, the number one selling packaged coffee brand in the United States. Folgers promoted their instant coffee in advertisements in the 1970s and early 1980s that took viewers to several “high-end” restaurants while a voiceover (by Bryan Clark) whispered to viewers that they had secretly traded the coffee used in the restaurant for Folgers and watched customers of restaurants to see if they could see whether or not they noticed the difference. In January 2020, Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble announced its intention to spin off or sell Folgers because the brand's annual growth was less than the corporate target of 4 to 6 percent. One of the most enduring and endearing brands in American history, Folgers Coffee has been serving great tasting coffee since 1850. Taste is just the beginning when it comes to Folgers' undeniable success. Check out these 10 things you might not know about this iconic American brand.
