About Brown and Polson
Brown & Polson is Britain's original patent cornflour brand, with a heritage stretching back to 1840 in Paisley, Scotland. Founded when two muslin manufacturers—John Polson & Co and William Brown & Son of Glasgow—collaborated to open their first factory at Thrushcraigs, Paisley, the company would revolutionize British cooking forever. The game-changing moment came in 1853 when John Polson Jr., the founder's son, began experimenting with Indian corn (maize). He soon patented a process to extract pure starch—what we now call cornflour. In 1854, he marketed this fine, white, tasteless powder as a foodstuff, and it quickly became a staple in British kitchens for thickening sauces, soups, gravies, and desserts. Royal recognition came swiftly. By 1853, Brown & Polson had been named official starch manufacturers to Queen Victoria—a prestigious Royal Warrant that would feature on their packaging for decades and cement their reputation for quality. The company grew to become Britain's largest manufacturer of starch products, employing almost 1,200 workers at its peak. Founder John Polson was notably progressive for his era, implementing a profit-sharing scheme in the 1870s and building cottages and recreational facilities including bowling greens and tennis courts for his workforce. After ownership by American company CPC (1935), Bestfoods/Unilever (2000), and finally Premier Ambient Products (2003), the Brown & Polson brand now belongs to Premier Foods Group. Production at the historic Paisley site ceased in 2002, but the iconic cornflour remains a British kitchen cupboard essential. Available at UK supermarkets including Asda and independent grocers, Brown & Polson Original Patent Cornflour continues a 170-year legacy of culinary excellence.
