Ghost of a flea: The secret of Worcestershire Sauce

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November 03, 2009

The secret of Worcestershire Sauce

After more than 170 years, the original recipe for Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce has been revealed. It was found in notes dating from the mid-1800s that were dumped in a skip by the sauce factory.

Brian Keogh, a former Lea and Perrins accountant, discovered the notes, which were neatly written in sepia ink in two leather-bound folios, and rescued them.

Vinegar, molasses, sugar, salt, anchovies, tamarind extract, onions and garlic. And under spice and flavouring: Cloves, soy sauce, lemons, pickles and peppers.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at November 3, 2009 08:47 AM

Comments

A key spice is the foul-smelling Ayurvedic resin from asafoetida

Posted by: jdpercifield at November 3, 2009 10:13 AM

Gross.

Posted by: agent bedhead at November 3, 2009 01:20 PM

Thanks Flea
I've tried to make my own, with tamarind extract made from scratch. Never thought of anchovies.

Posted by: doug newton at November 3, 2009 03:12 PM

And that is why you should never throw anything out. Good thing someone was around to rescue the notebooks.

Posted by: cm at November 3, 2009 07:12 PM