The Secrets of Granny's Cupboards

The Secrets of Granny's Cupboards

I freely admit I've been looking for Little Lockdown Projects to keep the photographic inspiration alive and kicking. Today I decided to explore our kitchen and bathroom to see how many traditional products we were still using that my maternal Granny used to use. I chose my maternal Granny because she was a dreadful hoarder. I suppose some of it was because of WWII rationing, but when she died we found dozens of tins of Heinz Macaroni Cheese, bags of sugar, home made damson jam......yum yum to the last of those! I won't revisit her speciality - stale date and walnut cake. So here's some close up product shots of what we still use that she used to use (not stuff she bought I hasten to add, she died in 1976). These were shot on my constant companion, the Pentax MX-1 compact, now nicely brassing on the corners just like Pentax promised it would.

Can I have my 15 minutes of fame for this one?



One of the 57 Varieties



Marmite, of course....



The original powder can still be bought, but ready mixed these days is more convenient



The original and best?



What else would a Limey spread on toast?



This predates most cordials and may even have been the first type to be made?



Sadly now longer made, but we have one Strawberry flavour left



These used to be popular as a drink as well as a stock



Although slightly altered a few years ago, Pear's soap remains sublime. Remember the Pears Cyclopaedia and the Miss Pears competition?



Although I think the most noxious components of Wright's Coal Tar Soap have long gone, the superb aroma remains totally authentic



Not for the squeamish, the sharp, strong taste of Euthymol is unique amongst toothpastes. As far as I can tell, this has never changed



So, 12 really old products that are still around. Interesting.