America's Oldest Brands and Businesses

Making muffins with KA Flour. Recipe below.

By Lori Benton

If you've ever used King Arthur Flour to bake a cake or a loaf of bread, then you've purchased flour from one of the oldest companies in the United States.

Founded in 1790 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Henry Wood, the company first imported its flour from England. As the business grew it changed hands and names. From Henry Wood & Company, it became Sands, Taylor & Wood Company in the 1890s. It was during this time a new brand of premium flour was introduced. One of the owners had recently attended a musical of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and left the performance inspired. The Boston Food Fair, September 10, 1896, saw the introduction of King Arthur Flour, and customers have been enjoying the flour ever since, along with other retail food products bearing the King Arthur name.

The company has since relocated to Norwich, Vermont, where its main store, The Baker's Store, is located, and changed its name to The King Arthur Flour Co., Inc., to reflect its principal brand. In addition to The Baker's Catalogue, the company has published four cookbooks, including King Arthur 200th Anniversary Cookbook and the King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion.

Visit King Arthur Flour on line: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/ and don't miss the recipe for Peachy-Almond muffins at the end of the post, the ingredients for which are pictured in the photo above. 

More early American companies, businesses, and brands still in use or operation (with links for further exploring):

~ Oldest plantation: Shirley Plantation, Charles City, Virginia. Original land grant given in 1613. Eleven generations of the same family have lived and worked this plantation, still in operation today.
~ 1667 Seaside Inn & Cottages Kennebunk Beach, Maine
~ 1673 White Horse Tavern Newport, Rhode Island
~ 1742 (or earlier) Towle Silversmiths
~ 1780 Baker's Chocolate
~ 1784  D. Landreth Seed Co of Pennsylvania
~ 1787 Hayes Coffee
~ The Old Farmer's Almanac, the longest continuously published periodical in the US, was first published 1792, during George Washington's first term as President.
~ Crane & Co. making fine paper since 1801
~ 1806 Colgate: soap, starch, and candles first. Then came the toothpaste!
~ 1818 Remington America's oldest gun maker 

Just Peachy-Almond Muffins 

(muffins pictured were made with King Arthur Flour)

Just Peachy-Almond Muffins, by Lori Benton

1 16 oz can sliced peaches, drained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Chop peaches; drain, and set aside. Combine flour, salt, soda, and sugar in a mixing bowl; make a well in center of dry ingredients. Add eggs and oil; stir until dry ingredients are moistened. Add peaches and remaining ingredients; stir until blended.

Spoon batter evenly into greased or paper-lined muffin pans, filling two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes for 6 jumbo muffins, 20-25 minutes for 12 regular-sized muffins, or 18 minutes for 36 miniature muffins.

Enjoy these muffins with a nice cup of tea! Make it historical and try some of these blends.

Guest Review by Diana L. Flowers of Rita Gerlach's "Beside Two Rivers"

Beside Two Rivers 

by Rita Gerlach
Book 2 in the Daughters of the Potomac Series 

Abingdon Press 2012

5 stars  *****

Riveting Historical Fiction!

In “Beside Two Rivers,” Rita has penned a gripping, beautiful, emotionally charged literary saga--that takes us from the waters of the Potomac River in Maryland, to the lush, green, sheep-filled hills of England.

Darcy Morgan lives with her kind aunt and uncle, and remembers little of her mysterious childhood, and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of her parents. Filled with an adventurous spirit, Darcy loves her life along the beautiful Potomac River, filled with forests, bubbling creeks, and a vast array of wildflowers and raspberry bushes. Always giving vent to her exploring nature, she wanders too far out in the river and is swept away to certain death, until she is rescued by a handsome stranger, Ethan Brennan.

Ethan has come to Maryland from England to purchase a stallion, accompanied by his lady friend, Miss Roth, who clearly makes it known to Darcy that she and Ethan have an understanding. Ethan is quite taken with the lovely Darcy, however, and is shrouded in secrets concerning her that he cannot reveal. As he returns to his home in England, he takes Darcy's broken heart with him for she has quickly fallen in love with him.

Soon Darcy is summoned to her grandmother's home in England--Havendale, a place that is permeated with secrets. Who is the mysterious vagabond with the familiar eyes that Darcy keeps seeing around her grandmother's property?...and who is the beautiful lady living at Ethan's home?...who remains isolated within its walls. What evil and treachery wind its way around Darcy and Ethan, and will it prevent them from ever being together?

In this exciting, heart-pounding sequel to Before The Scarlet Dawn, Rita Gerlach has once again written a literary masterpiece, and is now among the top ten of my favorite authors! As always, Rita surrounds the reader with such beautiful imagery one is immediately drawn into another place and time, not wanting to come back until that last satisfying page is read.

Filled with the message of God's love and forgiveness, romantic tension, and heart palpitating excitement, this is one not to miss. Because it is a sequel, I would recommend (though not necessary), reading the first book as well, to get a better feel for all the characters in the book. And as with all of Rita's books, make sure to keep the tissues nearby...you're going to need them!

Fabulous, Rita Gerlach!

Thank you, Net Galley, and Abingdon Press, for providing a copy for review.  

Guest Bio: Diana L. Flowers is Senior Reviewer on Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help.  An avid reader, Diana's reviews have been quoted on numerous Christian fiction blogs.  Diana helps manage her husband's business and is a mother and grandmother. 

Rita's website: http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com

Before the Scarlet Dawn, book 1  
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Scarlet-Dawn-Daughters-Potomac/dp/1426714149/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316017147&sr=1-4

Beside Two Rivers, book 2
http://www.amazon.com/Beside-Two-Rivers-Daughters-Potomac/dp/1426714157/ref=la_B00279KETE_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348261739&sr=1-1

Beyond the Valley, book 3 (pre-order, release Feb. 2013)
 http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Valley-Daughters-Potomac-3/dp/1426714165/ref=la_B00279KETE_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1348261739&sr=1-4