Go! Home About Us Our Brands Mizkan Brand History News Contact Us Mizkan Brand History Mizkan Brand History 5000BC Vinegar is first mentioned in literature, originally made from date palm or raisin 4th century Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine notes the antibacterial effect of vinegar and uses it to treat respiratory diseases, skin disease and coughs 11th century Balsamic vinegar is first produced in Italy 1603-1868 The first sushi ‘nare-zushi’, is introduced in Edo (the old name for Tokyo). ••• 1799 Yohei Hanaya, the creator of Nigiri-sushi, is born in Fukui Prefecture ••• 1804 Company Established Matazaemon Nakano, a Japanese sake producer, has the idea of brewing vinegar from sake lees (a by-product of Japanese sake brewing) ••• 1811 The Mizkan Handa Plant begins operation 1842 The Birth of “Yamabuki” ‘Yamabuki’, a premium rice vinegar is introduced ••• 1887 “Mizkan Logo” Registered The famous Mizkan mark is derived from Matazaemon Nakano IV's family crest. 1895 The Manor Vinegar Brewery (later to be bought by Mizkan), is established in Lozells, a suburb of Birmingham, England, in an old beer brewery. 1896 Mizkan begins to export from Japan to the U.S 1942 Nakano Biochemical Research Centre (now the Central Research Institute) Opened ••• 1950s The Manor Vinegar Brewery moves premises to Burntwood, Staffs 1954 Vinegar Bottling Began ••• 1964 “Ajipon” was Introduced ••• 1968 “Pure Food Campaign” ••• 1971 “Beyond Vinegar Strategy” Originally dubbed the “Non-Vinegar Product Strategy”, calls for efforts to increase vinegar sales while further developing non-vinegar products 1978 Research Center Received Agricultural Chemistry Technology Award ••• 1979 “Honteri” is Introduced in Japan The ease of use and availability of this mirin sweet seasoning met the needs of consumers perfectly. 1981 Major U.S. Vinegar Manufacturer “American Industries Co.” Acquired ••• 1986 “SU-no-SATO” Japan’s First Comprehensive Vinegar Museum Opens. ••• 1988 “Tsuyu” was Introduced in Japan Mizkan’s “Tsuyu” soup base, is introduced in Japan Sourced from the Group History in the Mizkan Group Company Profile. ••• 1990 “Gomoku Chirashi” a ready-to-use pouch-packed chirashi sushi mixture is introduced in Japan. 1992 New Headquarter Building Completed The New Mizkan Headquarter Building is completed in the city of Handa, Japan. ••• 1994 Mizkan Rice Vinegar is launched into the UK and Europe 1998 Nakano Europe Ltd. is established in Europe, initially selling imported Mizkan rice vinegar and seasoned rice vinegar 2002 Mizkan Group Corporation purchases Manor Vinegar Ltd. Nakano Europe Ltd begins to run the UK and European operation from its offices in Burntwood, Staffordshire. Mizkan acquires the Manor Vinegar Brewery from Greencore PLC. 2003 Kazuhide Matazaemon Nakano VIII takes over at the helmhelm of Mizkan 2004 Adoption of New Group Vision and Group Vision Symbol Nakano Europe Ltd changes its name to Mizkan UK Ltd. Mizkan Asia Pacific Pte.Ltd is established. Mizkan adopts a new corporate symbol ••• 2005 Mizkan Rice Vinegars becomes widely available in UK supermarkets 2007 Mizkan donates three tonnes of wood to rebuild the famous 19th Century ship, the Cutty Sark, after having been badly damaged in a fire. ••• 2010 Mizkan UK Ltd changes its name to Mizkan Europe Ltd. 2012 Nakano UK Vinegar is established and acquires the strong and iconic vinegar brands Sarson’s and Dufrais as well as the beloved pickles brand Haywards and its production facilities from Premier Foods PLC and continues to develop its business foundation for further growth in the UK. 2013 Nakano UK Vinegar acquires the Branston brand, spanning sweet pickles, relishes and table sauces. Nakano UK Vinegar purchases Mizkan Europe Ltd, consolidating the two companies. 2014 Mizkan Europe Ltd, changes its name to Mizkan Euro Ltd. Mizkan Euro Ltd. PO Box 145 Birmingham B24 8 WR Tel: 0800 157 7032 (9:30am to 5:00pm, Mondays to Fridays) By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more by reading our cookie policy. Your privacy is important to us. You can find out more by reading our notice for consumers and customers of Mizkan Euro on the fair processing of personal data. You can also read Mizkan Euro’s Standard Terms And Conditions Of Purchase and the Terms And Conditions Of Sales. You can also read about our social media house rules. Home About Us Our Brands News Contact Us Modern Slavery Statement