Manufacturer

Astor Company

Material

tin

Purpose

Cayenne is a hot-tasting red powder made from fruits or pods of a kind of capsicum plant, used as a food flavoring. It is made by powdering the dried fruits or by grinding and baking them into cakes. The cakes are then ground and sifted and sold in tins.

Creation Date

1850 – 1899

Date Details

Unfortunately one of the only dates that could be determined regarding this tin was the established date of the Astor Company based on the front panel of the tin of 1859. The Astor brand name still exists today and produces the same spice and oil food products but must be under a different company name. Regrettably, nothing more pertaining to the Astor Co. or the B. Fischer Distributing Company could be found. However, according to Kitchen Collectibles (Plante 12), the lift-top lid was discovered in 1868 and by the 1930's the spoon lift-top lid was being utilized on small, tins. As a result, it may be possible that this spice tin dates back to the 1870's when the lift top lid was introduced and probably did not date any later than the 1930's, but barring any further information, not more can be said of the date of this product or the tin.

Marks/Inscription

Distributed by B. Fischer Inc. of New York - Established 1859 - 2 ounces

Kitchen Artifact ID

K078