Bird's Custard is the brand name for the original powdered, egg-free imitation custard powder, now owned by Premier Foods. Custard powder and instant custard powder are the generic product names for similar and competing products. The product is a powder, based on cornflour, which thickens to form a custard-like sauce when mixed with milk and heated.
History
Bird's Custard was first formulated and cooked by Alfred Bird in 1837 at his chemist shop in Birmingham.[1] He developed the recipe because his wife was allergic to eggs,[2] the key ingredient used to thicken traditional custard. The Birds continued to serve egg-based custard to dinner guests, until one evening when the egg-free custard was served instead, either by accident or design. The dessert was so well received by the other diners that Alfred Bird put the recipe into wider production.[1]
John Monkhouse (1862–1938) was a prosperous