Tien Chu
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Tien Chu Ve-Tsin Chemical Limited (Chinese: 天厨味精; pinyin: Tiānchú Wèijīng), also transliterated as Tian Chu or Tianchu,[1] is a Chinese manufacturer of honey by-products and food chemicals and additives including monosodium glutamate (MSG).[1]
History
[edit]The company was founded in Shanghai in 1921 by Chinese chemist and industrialist Wu Yunchu.[1] By 1923, through Wu Yunchu's research and experimentation, the company became a primary manufacturer of monosodium glutamate (MSG).[2][3][4][5]
In 1937, a factory was established in Hong Kong in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, and was Hong Kong's sole MSG manufacturer.[1]
In 1981, Shanghai Industrial Holdings was established in Hong Kong, and Tien Chu became a subsidiary of the group.[5] Tien Chu was awarded a gold prize at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.[1]
In 1999 the factory in To Kwa Wan was shut down and demolished, and was replaced by residential buildings.[6]
The "Tianchu" brand, which originated from monosodium glutamate, eventually grew to be a comprehensive brand for five food categories: condiments, organic foods, health foods, ready-to-eat foods, and snack foods.[1] Its products are sold in over 40 countries.[1]
In the 21st century, the Hong Kong-based Tianchu company developed into a diversified conglomerate comprising real estate, investment, and food manufacturing.[1] It also greatly expanded into the mainland China market.[1] In 2003, it established Hangzhou Tianchu Miyuan Health Products in a joint venture with Hangzhou Miyuan Health Products.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The Tien Chu (Hong Kong) Company Limited. "香港天廚". www.tienchu.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-08.
- ↑ "品牌历史-冠生园食品" [The History of Foshou Gourmet Powder]. www.gsygroup.com. Archived from the original on 2022-08-27.
- ↑ Farmer, Hugh (9 May 2016). "The Tien Chu (HK) Company Ltd – founded by Wu Yunchu aka P. N. Woo – 'Father of Monosodium Glutamate' – initial notes". IndustrialHistoryHK.org. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ "天厨味精二夺世博会大奖" [Tianchu MSG wins World Expo Grand Prize for the second time]. archives.sh.cn (in Chinese). 25 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022.
- 1 2 "Hong Kong Top Brands: Tien Chu". Hong Kong Brand Development Council. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ↑ Woo, Richard (1 December 1999). "To Kwa Wan's $6b project begins". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
External links
[edit]- Tien Chu – Official website
