It’s In Almost Every Kitchen in Texas and It Might Disappear Soon
It is one of the most popular kitchen utility items in history. There is a good chance that you have some of this product in your kitchen right now.
Sadly, it might be going away forever.
This item was invented in 1946 by Earl Tupper. Tupper previously worked in the plastics industry and developed a process for creating durable, airtight polyethylene containers.
By now, you have guessed that we're talking about Tupperware. Just a week ago, a month after releasing a bleak financial report, Tupperware told the Securities Exchange that it has "substantial doubt about its ability to continue operating.
Most analysts believe Tupperware will not survive 2023.
This is hard to believe. Tupperware surged during the Covid epidemic as more people were cooking at home. During its heyday, Tupperware deployed a very successful sale model with representatives holding parties in customers' homes to demonstrate and sell the parties.
Tupperware parties were all the rage. I never went to a Tupperware party, but my mom told me things could get wild. I wonder what they were keeping in those containers?
Tupperware became very popular in Texas. It could be used to preserve a variety of popular Texas foods, including:
Barbeque: Texas is famous for its barbeque, and Tupperware was perfect for keeping smoked meats fresh and moist.
Tex-Mex: Guacomole is notoriously hard to keep. Tupperware's airtight lids were perfect for guac. It also preserved homemade salsa and dips.
Pecans: Texas is a leading producer of pecans. Tupperware was great at keeping pecans fresh and protecting them from moisture and bugs.
Chili: Texas chili is a flavorful dish. It loses its flavor if it is not stored in an airtight container. Tupperware is perfect.
Tamales: Some of the best tamale makers in Texas understand how to prep tamales for storage in Tupperware containers.
It's sad to see Tupperware disappear from Texas kitchens, but it is partly their fault. Tupperware has not kept up with the times. Good Housekeeping does not rate Tupperware among their best.
Today, people need microwave safety, and this generation is worried about plastic exposure. Maybe what we all need is one last Tupperware party.
We can make it a wake.