A British classic
Bovril drink has been exported to countries around the world for many years – as well as expatriates looking for a taste of home in countries like France and Spain. Bovril ‘beef tea’ is extremely popular in Malaysia, Singapore and China where generations of people have grown up with the iconic British drink.
Bovril drink was invented in 1886 by Scotsman John Lawson Johnston and was originally formulated to feed Napoleon’s troops on the Russian front. By 1888 over 3000 bars and public houses were serving Bovril in Britain and ‘beef tea’ became a popular drink amongst football fans during the early 20th century. By 1994 enough Bovril ‘beef tea’ was being sold to make over 90million mugs. To this day, Bovril drink remains popular with the family, with over 3million jars being sold – or 900 tons of the beef tea per year!
Did you know?
- The name Bovril comes from an unusual word Johnston found in a book. 'Vril' was 'an electric fluid' and he combined it with the first two letters of the Latin word for beef 'Bos'.
- In 1909 the first Bovril electric advertising sign was erected in London's Piccadilly Circus.
- The Rangers Football Club's Govan Stand became known as the Bovril Stand because of the large and distinctive advertisement displayed on its roof.
