FOOD NEWS
The Secret Symbolism Behind Lea & Perrins Paper Packaging
By Kalea Martin
Perhaps the most well-known brand of Worcestershire sauce, Lea & Perrins, is easy to spot on a shelf as it is wrapped in paper, but this signature look is not featured on bottles in the U.K. Though the products are the same, the American packaging, ironically, is the one that most resembles the condiment's earlier designs.
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce was first bottled in 1835 and began exporting overseas in 1837. Unfortunately, as they were being transported by ship, many bottles ended up breaking during the voyage, so the company started wrapping each bottle in paper to prevent breakage.
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce was introduced to the U.S. in 1839, and throughout the 1870s, many businesses were trying to piggyback off the product's success. To set their product apart, Lea & Perrins decided to continue manufacturing America-bound bottles with paper even after it was no longer needed, and Heinz kept the iconic design after purchasing the brand in 2005.