When Henry J. Heinz founded his Company in the late 1869, among his product line of pure, quality products were horseradish, pickles, and various sauces. The Company also manufactured vinegar to preserve the appearance and flavor of its processed pickles and other condiments. Soon thereafter, Heinz® became the country’s first manufacturer to package vinegar in individual bottles for home use. Vinegar was also a necessary ingredient in the making of Heinz® Ketchup, first introduced in 1876.

More than 100 years later, Heinz continues the tradition of processing high quality vinegar for consumers who expect the best for their cooking and pickling needs. Sourced from corn and grapes, Heinz® Vinegar always delivers consistent, good-tasting flavors for the foods you love to eat!

In the early 1880’s, Heinz packaged its vinegar in the ever popular “paneled” bottle, with a Keystone label and a guarantee of pure, natural vinegar on the label. Vinegars were also sold to grocers in paraffin-lined oak casks. Each cask carried an end label guaranteeing the quality of the vinegar and listing numerous awards.

In the early 1900’s, Heinz sales representatives held samplings in many grocery stores on Saturdays. Homemakers tasted various types of vinegars -White, Apple Cider, Pickling, Wine and Malt - and selected the variety they would buy. At the same time, many homemakers tasted commercially processed vinegar for the first time. Previously, all vinegar was fermented in barrels or crocks that were stored in barns or basements. According to a 1901 H.J. Heinz Company employee newspaper:

“The old vinegar barrel lying in the cellar, or at the side of the barn for three or four years, has been supplanted by appliances that retain the natural flavor of the fruit and keep it free from impurities of all kinds. Cleanliness, purity and wholesomeness – the secret of H.J Heinz Company’s great success in making vinegar.”

Today, as one of the world’s largest and oldest producers of vinegar, Heinz manufactures more than 7.5 million gallons of vinegar annually to supply American households with its popular and versatile food product.