There are occasional moments in my day where I feel time unexpectedly slip, and today was one of them. Standing in Tesco, I spotted a familiar little tin on the baking supplies shelf: Borwick’s Baking Powder, priced at just 95p, quietly unchanged while the world around it has rushed on.

Borwick’s Baking Powder has been a staple of British kitchens since the mid-19th century. First produced in the 1840s, long before electric mixers and glossy cookbooks, it helped generations of home bakers coax lightness into cakes and scones cooked in wood and coal-fired ovens. By the time the 1940s arrived, Borwick’s was already old-fashioned, in the best possible sense, as a trusted cupboard essential.

What struck me most was the tin itself. The design you can buy today looks remarkably similar to those from over a century ago. Original Borwick’s tins regularly appear on eBay for £15 or more, but if you are watching the pennies, this modern version does the job beautifully. Tucked into your kitchen cupboard, it would pass perfectly for something lifted straight from a 1940s wartime home.

Here are some advertising images below for “Borwick’s Baking Powder” from 1892 through to 1947 I found that you might like to see! I LOVE old advertising ads and signs!

A Brief History Timeline of Borwick’s Baking Powder

1840s
Borwick’s Baking Powder is first produced in Britain, at a time when home baking relied on skill, experience and often unreliable raising methods. Baking powder quickly proves revolutionary for everyday cooks.

Mid–Late 1800s
Borwick’s becomes a trusted household name. Its distinctive tin design begins to take shape, practical, recognisable, and reassuringly plain.

Early 1900s
The brand is firmly established in British kitchens. Borwick’s tins are commonly found in pantries and baking cupboards across the country, used for cakes, breads, and puddings.

1939–1945 (Second World War)
During rationing, Borwick’s remains an important baking staple. Reliable raising agents help home cooks make the most of limited ingredients, and the tin would have been a familiar sight in 1940s kitchens.

Late 20th Century
While many brands modernise or disappear, Borwick’s retains its traditional look, becoming quietly nostalgic even while still in everyday use.

Today
Still available in UK supermarkets for under £1, Borwick’s Baking Powder continues to use packaging that closely echoes its Victorian and early 20th-century designs. Original tins are now sought-after collectibles, while the modern version remains a practical and affordable link to the past.

For a full, in-depth timeline of George Borwick and the evolution of Borwick’s Baking Powder, please visit >>> https://letslookagain.com/2016/07/george-borwick-sons/

Question: “Do you remember this tin from your childhood kitchen? Or did your mum bake with Borwick’s during the war years? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!”

Hope you’ve enjoyed this, much love C xxxx