Knorr (, , ) is a German food and beverage brand. It has been owned by the British company Unilever since 2000, when Unilever acquired Best Foods, excluding Japan, where it is made under licence by Ajinomoto. It produces dehydrated soup and meal mixes, bouillon cubes and condiments. It was known as Royco in Indonesia, Kenya, and the Netherlands, and as Continental in Australia and New Zealand. Knorr is also produced in India and Pakistan. History Knorr was founded in 1838 by Carl Heinrich Theodor Knorr (1800–1875). Knorr headquarters are in Heilbronn, Germany. Products previously sold under the Lipton brand are now being absorbed into the Knorr product line. With annual sales topping €3 billion, Knorr is Unilever's biggest selling brand. An Israeli company, based in Haifa, Israel Edible Products, produces kosher soups for Knorr that are sold in Israel and the United States. Bouillon cubes In 1912, the first Knorr bouillon cube was introduced. Carl Heinrich Knorr began experimenting with drying vegetables and seasoning to preserve nutrition and flavour, which led to Knorr's first launch of dried soups across Continental Europe in 1873. The bouillon cube is typically made from vegetables and meat. Worldwide Knorr is available around the world. By 2000, the Knorr brand expanded to nearly ninety countries, from eight countries in 1957. In Japan, Knorr is owned by Ajinomoto. In the UK, the brand is known for its association with restaurateur Marco Pierre White. In Switzerland, the small red imp-like figure on packaging is known as "Knorrli" and was first used as a brand mascot in 1948. See also Aromat Bouillon cube Broth List of dried foods References External links Unilever brands Ajinomoto brands German brands Dried foods Products introduced in 1838 Companies based in Baden-Württemberg Companies based in Heilbronn