Gourmet Garden
Global market leader in chilled convenient packaged herbs.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
* | $114m Valuation: $114m | Acquisition | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Gourmet Garden, operating under the Botanical Food Company, provides a solution for home cooks frustrated with the short shelf life of fresh herbs. Its origins trace back to the late 1980s, when two Australian food-scientist brothers developed the 'Eva Fresh' technology, a method to extend the natural life of fresh herbs without using heat treatment or acidification, which can diminish flavor. The technology was initially acquired by Berri, a fruit juice manufacturer. In the early 1990s, herb and spice expert Jane Parker began working with farmers in Biloela, Queensland, to trial culinary herb crops. By the late 1990s, Berri and Parker's farmers joined forces, planting the first seeds in 1998 and establishing a pilot processing facility.
The company officially launched in Australia in 1998 with a range of 10 cold-blended pastes. This marked the beginning of its expansion, entering the UK market in 1999, the US in 2002, and Canada in 2004. In April 2016, the global flavor company McCormick & Co. acquired Botanical Food Company for approximately $114 million. At the time of the acquisition, Gourmet Garden had around 200 employees, and its products were exported to 15 countries, with the United States being its largest market. The business model is centered on the retail sale of these convenient herb products to consumers through grocery stores, positioned as a practical alternative to fresh herbs.
Gourmet Garden's product line addresses the common issue of fresh herb wastage. The core offerings include stir-in pastes, lightly dried herbs, and skillet sauces, all designed for convenience and to retain the flavor, color, and aroma of fresh ingredients. The company boasts a vertically integrated supply chain, processing herbs within hours of harvest to ensure quality. Its product lineup features items like Ginger Stir-In Paste, Lightly Dried Basil, and various skillet sauces, available in major retail outlets.
Keywords: long-life fresh herbs, convenient herbs, stir-in paste, lightly dried herbs, skillet sauces, Botanical Food Company, McCormick & Company, Australian food technology, herb preservation, retail food products, packaged herbs, cooking ingredients, fresh flavor, food waste solution, grocery products, international food brand, Queensland agriculture, Jane Parker, Eva Fresh technology