The Origins of OXO and Liebig’s Meat Extract
Explore the origins of OXO and its connection to the scientific legacy of Justus von Liebig.
This article traces the history of OXO, the life of Justus von Liebig, and the rise of Liebig’s Extract of Meat Company as a culinary and scientific milestone.
Source: By unknown author - Reclams Universum, 22. Jahrgang 1905, Heft 11, Gemeinfrei https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45444148
OXO (food) History
Source: By Stable MARK - own work
In 1840, Justus von Liebig pioneered concentrated meat extract, inspiring the birth of Oxo. The brand began with beef stock cubes and expanded to include herbs, spices, dried gravy, and yeast extract. Liebig's Extract of Meat Company (Lemco) introduced this innovation in 1866 in the UK, establishing Oxo as a household name for flavorful culinary essentials. The evolution from meat extract to versatile stock cubes marked Oxo's journey, remaining a go-to choice for enhancing flavors across kitchens worldwide.
Source: The Strand Magazine, 1876, Google Books
Source: by Stable MARK - own work
Justus Freiherr von Liebig
Source: Portrait gallery of eminent men and women of Europe and America - 1873, Google Books
Justus von Liebig (1803–1873) was a pioneering German scientist in organic chemistry and agricultural chemistry. His work revolutionized these fields, earning him acclaim as a foundational figure in chemistry. Notably, he devised a method for beef extract production, leading to the establishment of the Liebig Extract of Meat Company. This venture birthed the iconic Oxo brand beef bouillon cube. Liebig's contributions expanded scientific understanding while leaving a lasting culinary legacy, transforming the way people approach chemistry in both scientific and practical applications.
Source: Der Bazar - Illustrirte Damen Zeitung, 1873, Google Books
Liebig's Extract of Meat Company
Liebig's Extract of Meat Company, founded in the UK, emerged as the producer of LEMCO brand Liebig's Extract of Meat, originating Oxo meat extracts and beef stock cubes. Named after Justus von Liebig, the 19th-century German organic chemist, the company championed his method for industrial beef extract production. Their legacy spans culinary innovation, introducing Oxo as a household staple, stemming from von Liebig's groundbreaking work and paving the way for the widespread use of flavorful meat extracts in kitchens worldwide.
Source: Genealogisches Taschenbuch der Adeligen Häuser Österreichs, Band 1, 1905, Google Books
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