Folgers Coffee: A History of America's Iconic Brew

For over 170 years, Folgers has been a staple of the North American morning routine. From its humble beginnings during the California Gold Rush to its status as a global household name, the brand has evolved alongside the changing habits of coffee drinkers. Today, as part of the food and beverage division of The J.M. Smucker Company, Folgers continues to roast its coffee in New Orleans, maintaining a legacy of accessibility and consistency.

Key Facts

• Founded: 1850 in San Francisco, California.
• Current Owner: The J.M. Smucker Company (acquired in 2008).
• Core Markets: North America, with distribution in Asia, Canada, and Mexico.
• Famous Slogan: "The Best Part of Wakin' Up is Folgers in Your Cup."
• Production: Coffee is roasted in New Orleans.

The Origins of J.A. Folger & Co.

The story of Folgers began in 1850 with the establishment of the Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills in San Francisco. At the time, Californians typically purchased green coffee beans, which they had to roast and grind themselves. William H. Bovee, the mill's founder, recognized a market opportunity to provide pre-roasted and ground coffee ready for brewing.

Among Bovee's early hires was 15-year-old J.A. Folger, a carpenter from Nantucket Island. Folger had arrived in California during the Gold Rush, fleeing the economic decline of Nantucket's whaling industry as kerosene replaced whale oil. This shift in energy sources actually benefited the coffee trade, as many repurposed Nantucket ships began transporting coffee from South America to San Francisco.

After working for Bovee for nearly a year, Folger bought a stake in the company. While mining for gold, he acted as a salesman, carrying coffee and spice samples to grocery stores. By 1865, he became a full partner, and by 1872, he bought out his partners to rename the business J.A. Folger & Co.

Growth and Corporate Evolution

Following the death of J.A. Folger in 1889, his son, James A. Folger II, took over the presidency at age 26. The company experienced exponential growth in the early 20th century, largely thanks to salesman Frank P. Atha, who expanded the brand's reach by opening and managing a plant in Texas.

By the mid-20th century, under the leadership of Peter Folger, the brand became a dominant force in North America. To optimize shipping routes from Central America, the company began constructing a plant in New Orleans in 1960. In 1963, Procter & Gamble (P&G) acquired the company and simplified the branding by removing the apostrophe from the name.

The brand changed hands again in November 2008. After P&G initially considered a spinoff, The J.M. Smucker Company acquired Folgers using a Reverse Morris Trust—a rare financial technique used to facilitate the acquisition—making Folgers a subsidiary of Smucker.

Product Range and Branding

Folgers is instantly recognizable by its traditional dark red background and white lettering. The brand uses a color-coding system to help consumers identify roast types: green backgrounds signify decaf, while black backgrounds indicate the Noir dark roast line.

The product lineup is extensive, catering to various tastes and brewing methods:

• Ground Coffees: Including 100% Colombian, Black Silk, Breakfast Blend, and the premium 1850 brand launched in 2018.
• Specialty Roasts: Such as Simply Smooth (designed to be gentler on the stomach) and Simply Gourmet flavored coffees.
• Convenience Options: Folgers Crystals (freeze-dried instant coffee), Coffee Singles, K-cup pods, and cappuccino mixes.

A Legacy of Advertising

Folgers is perhaps most famous for its marketing. Since 1984, the brand has used a signature jingle written by Susan Spiegel Solovay and Bill Vernick, with music by Leslie Pearl. This melody has been performed by legendary artists including Aretha Franklin and Randy Travis.

Other notable campaigns include the "Mrs. Olson" commercials (1965–1986), featuring a Swedish neighbor who recommended Folgers, and the "Peter Comes Home For Christmas" spot, which became a holiday staple until the late 1990s. In the 1970s and 80s, the brand also ran "blind taste test" ads, suggesting that high-end restaurants were secretly using Folgers Crystals.

Cultural Impact and Historic Landmarks

The brand's ubiquity has led to several appearances in popular culture. In the film The Big Lebowski, a Folgers coffee can is used as a budget-friendly urn for human ashes. Similarly, the TV show Seinfeld referenced the longevity of Folgers Crystals, with a character noting that the freeze-dried coffee "lasts forever."

Physically, the brand's history is preserved in San Francisco at 101 Howard Street. The five-story brick Folger Coffee Company Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2011, the building was purchased by the University of San Francisco.

Category	Details
Founded	1850 (as Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills)
Headquarters History	San Francisco, CA (101 Howard St)
Current Parent Company	The J.M. Smucker Company
Key Product Lines	Ground, Instant (Crystals), K-Cups, 1850 Premium
Primary Roasting Site	New Orleans, LA

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Folgers coffee today?

Folgers is currently owned by The J.M. Smucker Company, which acquired the brand from Procter & Gamble in November 2008.

Where is Folgers coffee roasted?

Folgers roasts its coffee in New Orleans, a location chosen in 1960 to take advantage of shipping routes from Central America.

What is the significance of the "1850" brand?

Launched in 2018, 1850 is a premium brand that pays homage to the year the company's precursor was first established in San Francisco.

Why did the name change from Folger's to Folgers?

When Procter & Gamble acquired the company in 1963, they removed the apostrophe. This was partly due to trademark practices where brand names act as adjectives rather than possessive nouns.

What are Folgers Crystals?

Folgers Crystals are a line of freeze-dried instant coffees available in both regular and decaf varieties, known for their long shelf life.