About Schwartz
Schwartz is one of the most recognisable herbs and spices brands in the United Kingdom, having been a kitchen staple in British homes since 1959. Now owned by McCormick & Company, the world's largest producer of herbs, spices, and seasonings, Schwartz has grown from a Canadian coffee company founded in 1841 to become synonymous with quality flavourings in the UK market. The brand's UK operations are headquartered in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, where a £1.5 million technical development centre opened in 2011. The Schwartz brand has a fascinating international heritage. Founded by William Henry Schwartz in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the company began selling coffee before William E. Schwartz revolutionised the Canadian market by introducing pure spices in 1880. He was the first person in Canada to sell pure, unadulterated spices rather than compound spices mixed with cornmeal or flour. This commitment to quality became the foundation of the Schwartz reputation, with the slogan "Say Schwartz and be Sure" reflecting their promise of purity. Schwartz entered the British market in 1959 through Jenks Brothers Foods as distributor. In 1967, a joint venture between WH Schwartz & Sons and Jenks Brothers created Schwartz Spices UK Limited. Following various ownership changes, McCormick & Company acquired the brand in 1984, adding Schwartz to their portfolio alongside other flavour brands including Cholula, Frank's RedHot, and French's. In the UK, McCormick products are sold under the Schwartz brand rather than McCormick. The Schwartz product range is extensive, covering herbs and spices, seasonings and blends, recipe mixes, pour-over sauces, and gravy mixes. Their herbs and spices collection includes individual jars of thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, coriander, and numerous others, as well as chillies, curry spices, and an organic range. Spice blends include favourites like Cajun seasoning, Moroccan spices, and garam masala. Mills and tubes offer convenient grinding options for fresh flavour. Recipe mixes are a popular Schwartz product category, designed to simplify home cooking. These sachets cover beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and vegetable dishes, from classic British casseroles to international cuisines. Collaborations with restaurant brands have expanded this range to include Pizza Express, Bella Italia, Rosa's Thai, Las Iguanas, and The Real Greek recipe mixes, bringing restaurant-style flavours to home kitchens. The Schwartz x Nadiya collaboration with Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain added another dimension to the range. Launched exclusively at Asda before wider distribution, these recipe kits, mixes, and seasonings retail from £1.19 to £3.00 and aim to make restaurant-quality cooking accessible at home. Limited edition seasonings and air fryer-specific seasonings demonstrate Schwartz's responsiveness to cooking trends. For those with dietary requirements, Schwartz launched their first gluten-free range to accommodate coeliacs and those avoiding gluten. The gluten-free recipe mixes include Chilli Con Carne with chilli powder, cumin, and cocoa powder; Spaghetti Bolognese with tomato, garlic, basil, and oregano; and Chicken Casserole with garlic, sage, and oregano. Gluten-free sauces including rich beef gravy and creamy cheese sauce complete the range. These products are available at Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's. Schwartz takes allergen labelling seriously, always declaring allergens in the ingredient statement rather than hiding them under "spices" or "natural flavours." This includes cereals containing gluten such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Most pure Schwartz herbs and spices are naturally gluten-free, though recipe mixes and blends should be checked individually. Most Schwartz herbs and spices are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, being plant-based ingredients by nature. However, some recipe mixes and sauces may contain dairy or other animal-derived ingredients, so checking individual product labels is recommended. The Schwartz website offers dedicated vegetarian and vegan recipe sections featuring their products. Schwartz sources ingredients directly from local farmers across over 40 countries, selecting optimal growing locations for each herb and spice. This global sourcing combined with UK-based technical development ensures consistency and quality across the range. The Haddenham facility employs 450 staff, including 75 in the dedicated technical development centre. Price-wise, Schwartz sits in the premium branded segment. A typical 37g jar costs around £1.85 at major supermarkets, while supermarket own-brands offer larger sizes for less. For example, Tesco's own-brand 45g jar costs approximately £1.10. Recipe mixes typically retail at £0.95-£1.00 each, with multi-buy offers like Tesco's "4 for £2.50" Clubcard deal offering value for regular users. When comparing Schwartz to alternatives, consumers note the brand's consistency and convenient packaging, though prices are higher than own-brand or Asian grocery store alternatives. Spice enthusiasts often recommend checking the "world foods" aisle where brands like Rajah, Natco, and East End offer larger quantities at lower per-gram prices. However, for convenience, consistent quality, and recipe mixes, Schwartz remains the go-to brand for many British home cooks. For professional chefs and catering businesses, Schwartz products are available through McCormick Flavour Solutions, offering larger formats and catering-specific products. This dual approach serves both home cooks and food service professionals with the same quality standards.