A treat fit for a queen: Discover the reason behind Cadbury's purple packaging
By
- Replies 1
For over a century, chocolate enthusiasts worldwide have savoured the distinct taste of Cadbury's delectable treats. Yet, it's not just the mouth-watering flavours that have captivated consumers.
Something about the iconic purple packaging sets Cadbury apart from its rivals and leaves people wondering: What's the story behind this vibrant hue?
Prepare to have your mind blown as we delve into Cadbury’s rich history and intriguing origins.
The captivating tale of Cadbury's iconic purple packaging traces back to 1854 when the confectionery giant was bestowed with a royal warrant by Queen Victoria.
This prestigious honour declared Cadbury as the royal household’s official cocoa and chocolate maker.
With such a longstanding and esteemed connection to the monarchy, it was only fitting for Cadbury to choose a colour that would pay homage to the beloved Queen Victoria herself.
In 1914, the company introduced its now-iconic purple packaging.
The significance of purple in Cadbury's history goes beyond mere aesthetics. Queen Victoria favoured the colour, and Cadbury incorporated it into their packaging as a tribute to her.
In fact, Cadbury's advertisements from the Victorian era feature depictions of Queen Victoria herself enjoying Cadbury's Cocoa while seated on a train.
This association with royalty and the queen's favourite colour cemented Cadbury's purple as a symbol of prestige and quality.
Originally, Cadbury Dairy Milk was wrapped in a pale mauve shade with a red script, but it wasn't until 1920 that the full Dairy Milk range embraced the iconic purple and gold colour scheme.
The decision to adopt purple and gold across their product line further solidified Cadbury's visual identity and made their chocolates easily recognisable on sweet shop shelves.
However, the story of Cadbury's purple packaging goes beyond aesthetics and royal tributes.
The Cadbury family, who were devout Quakers or members of the Religious Society of Friends, played a significant role in philanthropy during the late Victorian era. This era was marked by growing social and economic divisions caused by the industrial revolution.
While prosperity flourished, many workers lived in abject poverty, a reality vividly depicted in the literary works of authors like Charles Dickens.
As proponents of social welfare, the Cadbury family believed that beverages like tea, coffee, and cocoa could serve as alternatives to alcohol, which was seen as a cause of poverty and deprivation among the working classes.
In 1879, they built the Bournville factory and, with a vision rooted in altruism, established a 120-acre village with improved housing for their workers in 1893.
The impact of Cadbury's philanthropic efforts and its iconic purple packaging reverberated through the years, becoming intertwined with the brand's identity.
In 2013, Cadbury sought to trademark the specific shade of purple, known as Pantone 2865c.
However, a test case brought by their Swiss rival, Nestle, challenged this move. To Cadbury's dismay, the Court of Appeal ruled against them, allowing any supermarket or competitor to use ‘Cadbury purple’ on their own products.
This unexpected turn of events opened the floodgates for potential copycats trying to capitalise on the success of Cadbury's beloved Dairy Milk bar and other popular treats like Crispello and Heroes.
While the legal battle did not end in their favour, Cadbury remains synonymous with purple in the hearts and minds of chocolate lovers worldwide.
The captivating tale of Cadbury's purple packaging serves as a testament to the brand's rich heritage, royal connections, and commitment to social responsibility.
It's a visual feast that continues to delight and tantalise chocolate enthusiasts, reminding us that sometimes, the stories behind our favourite treats are just as sweet as the chocolates themselves.
So, the next time you unwrap Cadbury chocolate, take a moment to appreciate the vibrant purple packaging and the fascinating history it represents. We also recommend checking out this article, where we share how the iconic Cadbury wrappers are getting a ‘makeover’.
Do you know other interesting stories behind popular packaging? Share them with us in the comments below!
Something about the iconic purple packaging sets Cadbury apart from its rivals and leaves people wondering: What's the story behind this vibrant hue?
Prepare to have your mind blown as we delve into Cadbury’s rich history and intriguing origins.
The captivating tale of Cadbury's iconic purple packaging traces back to 1854 when the confectionery giant was bestowed with a royal warrant by Queen Victoria.
This prestigious honour declared Cadbury as the royal household’s official cocoa and chocolate maker.
With such a longstanding and esteemed connection to the monarchy, it was only fitting for Cadbury to choose a colour that would pay homage to the beloved Queen Victoria herself.
In 1914, the company introduced its now-iconic purple packaging.
The significance of purple in Cadbury's history goes beyond mere aesthetics. Queen Victoria favoured the colour, and Cadbury incorporated it into their packaging as a tribute to her.
In fact, Cadbury's advertisements from the Victorian era feature depictions of Queen Victoria herself enjoying Cadbury's Cocoa while seated on a train.
This association with royalty and the queen's favourite colour cemented Cadbury's purple as a symbol of prestige and quality.
Originally, Cadbury Dairy Milk was wrapped in a pale mauve shade with a red script, but it wasn't until 1920 that the full Dairy Milk range embraced the iconic purple and gold colour scheme.
The decision to adopt purple and gold across their product line further solidified Cadbury's visual identity and made their chocolates easily recognisable on sweet shop shelves.
However, the story of Cadbury's purple packaging goes beyond aesthetics and royal tributes.
The Cadbury family, who were devout Quakers or members of the Religious Society of Friends, played a significant role in philanthropy during the late Victorian era. This era was marked by growing social and economic divisions caused by the industrial revolution.
While prosperity flourished, many workers lived in abject poverty, a reality vividly depicted in the literary works of authors like Charles Dickens.
As proponents of social welfare, the Cadbury family believed that beverages like tea, coffee, and cocoa could serve as alternatives to alcohol, which was seen as a cause of poverty and deprivation among the working classes.
In 1879, they built the Bournville factory and, with a vision rooted in altruism, established a 120-acre village with improved housing for their workers in 1893.
The impact of Cadbury's philanthropic efforts and its iconic purple packaging reverberated through the years, becoming intertwined with the brand's identity.
In 2013, Cadbury sought to trademark the specific shade of purple, known as Pantone 2865c.
However, a test case brought by their Swiss rival, Nestle, challenged this move. To Cadbury's dismay, the Court of Appeal ruled against them, allowing any supermarket or competitor to use ‘Cadbury purple’ on their own products.
This unexpected turn of events opened the floodgates for potential copycats trying to capitalise on the success of Cadbury's beloved Dairy Milk bar and other popular treats like Crispello and Heroes.
While the legal battle did not end in their favour, Cadbury remains synonymous with purple in the hearts and minds of chocolate lovers worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Chocolate lovers are only just discovering why Cadbury's packaging is purple.
- The purple packaging was introduced as a tribute to Queen Victoria in 1914, as purple was her favourite colour.
- Queen Victoria gave Cadbury a royal warrant in February 1854, making the company the official cocoa and chocolate maker for the monarch.
- Cadbury Dairy Milk started out in a pale mauve with a red script before the entire Dairy Milk range became purple and gold in 1920.
The captivating tale of Cadbury's purple packaging serves as a testament to the brand's rich heritage, royal connections, and commitment to social responsibility.
It's a visual feast that continues to delight and tantalise chocolate enthusiasts, reminding us that sometimes, the stories behind our favourite treats are just as sweet as the chocolates themselves.
So, the next time you unwrap Cadbury chocolate, take a moment to appreciate the vibrant purple packaging and the fascinating history it represents. We also recommend checking out this article, where we share how the iconic Cadbury wrappers are getting a ‘makeover’.
Do you know other interesting stories behind popular packaging? Share them with us in the comments below!