Lessons for stupid Singaporeans #1

Maggi is a Nestle brand of instant soups, stocks and noodles. It was founded by the Maggi family in Switzerland in the 19th century, and merged with Nestle in 1947.

The alimentary company came into existence in 1872 in Switzerland, when Julius Maggi took over his father's mill. It quickly became a pioneer of industrial food production, aiming at the improvement of the nutrition of worker families. It was the first to bring protein-rich legume meal to the market, which was followed by ready-made soup based on legume meal in 1886.

In German-speaking Europe, "Maggi" is still synonymous with the brand's "Maggi-Wurze" (Maggi spice), a dark sauce which is very similar to Asian soy sauce. It was also introduced in 1886, as a cheap substitute for meat extract. It has since become a well-known part of everyday culinary culture in Switzerland and especially in Germany.

Before Maggi finally became a mere brand, it also introduced the bouillon cube or 'Maggi cube' in 1908, which was another meat substitution product. In West Africa, Maggi cubes are used as part of the local cuisine.

Today Maggi is particularly well known in India, Jamaica, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore for its instant noodles, to the extent that "Maggi noodles" are synonymous with instant noodles in those countries. A popular dish served in the latter two countries is known as Maggi goreng (fried Maggi noodles).

In the German and Dutch languages lovage has come to be known as "Maggi herb" (Ger. Maggikraut or Du. maggikruid) because of a supposed resemblance to the taste of Maggi sauce.