Crescent Foods

Crescent Foods, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Spice and flavorings manufacturing
Founded	1883 in Seattle, Washington, United States
Defunct	1989
Fate	Acquired by McCormick & Company
Successor	McCormick & Company (retail spice division)
Headquarters	Seattle , United States
Area served	Western Hemisphere
Key people	Dick Weaver (Vice President)
Products	Spices, flavorings, Mapleine flavoring

Crescent Foods, Inc. was a spice and flavorings manufacturer headquartered in Seattle, Washington, established in 1883 and later acquired by McCormick & Company in 1989.

Early background

The origins of Crescent trace back to a spice enterprise in Seattle that endured both the Great Seattle fire and the economic downturn of 1893. The company experienced revitalization beginning in 1897, coinciding with the Alaska gold discovery which elevated Seattle's status as a principal entry point for the Klondike Gold Rush.

Mapleine

Introduced in 1908 at the Puyallup Fair, Crescent’s signature product was Mapleine, a maple syrup imitation flavoring, which was also exhibited at the 1909 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition. During the Great Depression, Mapleine became especially popular as a cost-effective alternative to real maple syrup, attracting consumers mindful of their budgets. This product significantly contributed to Crescent’s widespread brand recognition throughout the Western Hemisphere.

In 1909, Mapleine became central to an early enforcement action under the Pure Food and Drug Act when authorities seized a shipment due to deceptive labeling. This incident served as a foundational case influencing subsequent Supreme Court decisions regarding food labeling regulations.

Centennial milestone, 1983

As the company neared its 100th anniversary, it engaged Archie Satterfield to compile a book derived from interviews with company owners and veteran employees. Dick Weaver, then Vice President, remarked, "Archie delivered precisely what we sought: a restrained historical account intended for gifting and public relations purposes."

Acquisition

The retail spice division of Crescent Foods was purchased by McCormick & Company in 1989. Production of Mapleine flavoring continues under the Crescent brand managed by McCormick.

External links

• Crescent brand Mapleine at McCormick & Company
• Crescent Mfg. Co. in 1916 at 93 Yesler Way. Seattle Municipal Archives.
• Guide to the Collection on the Crescent Manufacturing Company