Yes, King syrup is still made today. King syrup is a popular pancake syrup brand that has been around since the early 1900s. It is made by the A.J. King Company, which was founded in 1909 in Norfolk, Virginia. King syrup comes in a few different varieties, including original, sugar free, and low sodium. It can be found in grocery stores across the United States and Canada. King syrup has a distinctive flavor and thickness that makes it a staple breakfast condiment for many households.
History of King Syrup
King syrup has a long history dating back over 100 years. Here are some key facts about the history of King syrup:
- A.J. King founded the company in 1909 in Norfolk, Virginia.
- The original King syrup recipe was created by A.J. King himself.
- King syrup was originally only available regionally in Virginia and the Carolinas in the early 1900s.
- The company opened its first manufacturing plant in Norfolk in 1913.
- King syrup first became available nationwide in the United States in 1917.
- The iconic yellow tin can packaging for King syrup was introduced in the 1920s.
- A.J. King served as president of the company for over 50 years until 1961.
- The company moved its headquarters to Chesterfield, Virginia in 1969.
- International expansion began in the 1990s, with King syrup being made available in Canada.
- King syrup celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009.
So in summary, King syrup has been made continuously by the A.J. King company for over 100 years since its founding in 1909, making it one of the oldest pancake syrup brands still on the market today.
King Syrup Ingredients
The original King syrup recipe contains just a few simple ingredients. Here is an overview of what’s in King syrup:
- Corn syrup – Thick, sweet syrup made from cornstarch that provides the signature thickness and viscosity of King syrup.
- High fructose corn syrup – Sweeter type of corn syrup that provides added sweetness.
- Water – Thins out the consistency.
- Salt – Small amount to balance out sweetness.
- Natural and artificial flavors – Provide the distinctive maple flavor.
- Preservatives – Help maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
- Coloring – Caramel color provides the golden syrup hue.
So in essence, King syrup gets its classic syrupy texture and maple flavor from a combination of corn syrup, flavorings, and caramel coloring. The specific proportions and exact recipe is proprietary to the King company.
Where King Syrup is Produced
While King syrup originated in Virginia in 1909, today it is produced in manufacturing facilities in multiple locations throughout the United States. Here is an overview of where King syrup is made today:
- Norfolk, Virginia – The original King plant still produces syrup in Norfolk where the company first started.
- Chesterfield, Virginia – Home to the company headquarters and a major manufacturing plant.
- West Memphis, Arkansas – Large production facility that makes King syrup for nationwide distribution.
- Chaska, Minnesota – Plant that manufactures King syrup sold in the Midwest region.
- Fontana, California – Facility in southern California producing syrup for the west coast.
So King syrup is made in strategic locations positioned across the U.S. to facilitate efficient distribution logistics. The multiple facilities provide sufficient production capacity to supply grocery retailers, restaurants, and food service operators across North America.
Varieties of King Syrup
While the original King syrup recipe remains a beloved classic, the company now produces it in a few different varieties:
- Original – The classic King syrup recipe made with corn syrup, fructose, and signature maple flavor.
- Sugar Free – Uses sugar substitutes like sucralose instead of corn syrup to reduce calories.
- Low Sodium – Contains 50% less sodium than regular King syrup.
- Lite – A lower-calorie version sweetened using a sugar and sucralose blend.
- Butter Flavored – Has a buttery, brown sugar taste.
- Maple Cinnamon – Maple syrup blended with cinnamon spices.
This range of options allows consumers to choose the King syrup that suits their dietary preferences and flavor needs. The original thick, viscous syrup still remains the top seller, however.
How King Syrup is Packaged
That classic King syrup comes in a yellow tin can is almost as iconic as the syrup itself. Here is some background on King syrup packaging:
- The first King syrup tin cans were prototyped in the 1920s.
- The small 12 oz cans were originally made using soldered side seams.
- During WWII rationing, King syrup was bottled in glass until tinplate was available again.
- Modern King tins are made by mechanical sealing, eliminating lead solder.
- The tin cans are coated internally to prevent chemical reactions with the syrup.
- A plastic cap and shrink wrap band are added for tamper evidence.
- Larger 1 gallon jugs for restaurants use HDPE plastic jugs.
- Bulk sizes up to 55 gallons are packaged in lined steel drums.
So while the iconic packaging has evolved with technology, King syrup has been sold in a tin can for the vast majority of its 100+ year history, which consumers immediately recognize when shopping.
How Much King Syrup is Sold Each Year
As one of the leading brands, King syrup has a substantial share of the pancake syrup market. Here are some facts on King syrup’s annual sales volume:
- Over 9.5 million gallons of King syrup are sold per year.
- Estimated annual revenues for King syrup are over $60 million.
- King syrup accounts for approximately 18% of the U.S. pancake syrup market.
- Over 1 billion yellow King syrup tins have been sold over the life of the brand.
- On average, over 700,000 King syrup tins are sold each day.
- The highest sales volume is seen in November-December during peak pancake breakfast season.
So King syrup continues to maintain a strong market presence against competitors like Aunt Jemima and private label brands. Its nostalgia and brand recognition amongst consumers keep it a popular choice.
How King Syrup is Used
King syrup is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways, beyond just pouring it over pancakes and waffles. Here are some of the most popular uses for King syrup:
- Topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast, crepes
- Sweetener and flavoring for oatmeal or cereal
- Ingredient in dessert recipes like banana pudding or pecan pie
- Sweet glaze or sauce for grilled meat like ribs, pork, chicken
- Mix into smoothies or milkshakes
- Drizzled over ice cream sundaes
- Combined with peanut butter as a dip for fruit
- Ingredient in barbecue sauce, salad dressing, or cocktail recipes
The mildly sweet maple taste complements both sweet and savory foods. Professional chefs also use King syrup for its superior ability to caramelize when cooking. So beyond breakfast, King syrup can add flavor to many types of dishes and beverages.
Where to Buy King Syrup
King syrup is sold at most major grocery retailers in the breakfast aisle. Here are the types of stores that carry King syrup:
- Grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, etc.
- Membership clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Mass merchandisers like Walmart, Target, Kmart, etc.
- Convenience stores and gas stations
- Small independent grocery stores and bodegas
- Some dollar stores
- Online from retailers like Walmart.com and Amazon.com
King syrup can be purchased year-round in stores across the U.S. and Canada. The 12 oz yellow tins are the most common size sold in grocery stores. Larger containers and bulk sizes for food service are available through restaurant and catering supply distributors.
How King Syrup Compares to Other Brands
King syrup is often compared to its main competitors Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth’s. Here is how King stacks up:
| Brand | Ingredients | Taste | Thickness | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Syrup | Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, salt, natural and artificial flavors, preservatives, coloring | Maple flavor | Very thick and viscous | Yellow tin can |
| Aunt Jemima | Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, cellulose gum, salt, natural and artificial flavor, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, caramel color, sodium hexametaphosphate | Maple flavor | Moderately thick | Plastic bottle |
| Mrs. Butterworth’s | High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, natural and artificial flavors, potassium sorbate, sodium hexametaphosphate | Buttery flavor | Very thick and viscous | Unique bottle shape |
As you can see, while the ingredients are similar, King syrup stands out with its signature thick, viscous pouring consistency and distinctive packaging in the iconic yellow tin. The maple taste profile is regarded by some as more authentic than the more artificial maple flavors of competitors.
Nutrition Facts for King Syrup
Like most pancake syrups, King syrup is high in sugar and carbohydrates. However, here are the nutrition facts per serving (1/4 cup or 60mL) of original King syrup:
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Potassium: 30mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugars: 41g
- Protein: 0g
As you can see, nearly all the calories come from carbohydrates and sugar. There are no significant sources of protein, vitamins, or minerals. The sugar free King syrup offers a lower calorie option.
Interesting Facts About King Syrup
Here are some fun trivia facts about King syrup’s history and place in pop culture:
- Elvis Presley was a fan – he famously liked peanut butter and banana sandwiches with King syrup.
- King syrup was featured in the film Forrest Gump during a breakfast scene.
- The original King syrup tin featured an image of King George VI of England.
- A.J. King patented the first syrup pump dispenser in 1938.
- During WWII, King syrup was designated as an “essential commodity” and production continued.
- Beyoncé famously used a King syrup tin as a purse in 2006.
- A 12 foot tall King syrup tin is a landmark in Virginia.
- November is designated as National Pancake and King syrup Month.
King syrup has clearly made its mark beyond just being a popular grocery item thanks to its nostalgia factor and iconic branding. It remains a staple American pantry item to this day.
Conclusion
So in summary, King syrup is an enduring American brand that has been produced continuously since 1909. Its signature flavors, thickness, and packaging in tin cans have made it a beloved icon amongst pancake syrups for over a century. King syrup maintains a substantial share of the pancake syrup market to this day thanks to its brand recognition and versatility as a condiment. It can be found in grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada and used on everything from breakfast foods to barbecue. So when it comes to the question “Do they make King syrup?”, the answer is a definitive yes – the company continues to produce millions of gallons per year to satisfy loyal customers who won’t use anything else on their pancakes.