dishonourableaccount t1_j6iow44 wrote
Reply to comment by Buck_Thorn in TIL Margarine was originally named oleomargarine from Latin for oleum (olive oil) and Greek margarite ("pearl", indicating luster). by joshemerson
The white color makes sense if it was named after being pearl-like.
Buck_Thorn t1_j6ip6j3 wrote
That has nothing to do with it, though. It was because of the dairy farmers in the midwest. They didn't want people to think that it was actual butter.
> Dairy farmers also successfully lobbied for restrictions that banned the use of yellow dyes to make margarine look more appetizing. By 1900, artificially colored butter was contraband in 30 U.S. states. Several states took even more extreme measures to turn consumers away from margarine—they required the product to be dyed an unappealing pink color.
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/25638/surprisingly-interesting-history-margarine
JUYED-AWK-YACC t1_j6jhc6z wrote
I think they mean the natural white color is why we still call it margarine. Your facts are correct though. My wife did this as a kid in Iowa, where dairy ruled over all.
Buck_Thorn t1_j6jhqjk wrote
But it isn't white anymore. They have been coloring margarine yellow for many years now.
Huh? Why is this being downvoted without any comments? Is margarine still white in some places? If I'm wrong, tell me, don't simply downvote and leave.
JUYED-AWK-YACC t1_j6lnanf wrote
Yeah so what? We all know what color margarine is.
Buck_Thorn t1_j6lpmlj wrote
Apparently we don't all agree on what color margarine is. That is the current discussion if you'd care to join in.
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