Product History
More than 130 years of joy in the making
Always on the pulse of time
With Backin, a ready-to-use baking powder, Dr. August Oetker set the stage for our product history in 1893. Gradually, a comprehensive range of products is developed internationally. It is synonymous with innovation, indulgence, and guaranteed success. The range includes powder products, baking ingredients, and flavorings. In the year 1970, Dr. Oetker was the first to introduce frozen pizza in Germany. Since the 1980s, the company has also supplied frozen pizza internationally.
It all started with the baking powder Backin
In 1893, after much experimentation, the pharmacist Dr. August Oetker succeeded in developing the decisive recipe. Backin was introduced to the market and remains a successful product. In 1903, Dr. August Oetker’s “process of producing durable baking powder or ready-to-bake flour” was then patented by the Imperial Patent Office as number 144289.
Baking powder Backin: 1893 to present day
Our pizza: It all began with the “Pizza alla Romana”
In 1970, Dr. Oetker launched “Pizza alla Romana,” Germany’s first frozen pizza. The product range grew steadily, and by 1981 the company’s first in-house pizza plant was opened in Germany. In 1985, the classic “Ristorante” pizza, which is still a favorite today, was introduced. The “Ristorante” pizza is an excellent example of our ability to recognize our customers’ preferences, and how we can meet them time and again with our innovative products - after all, only those who keep evolving can survive in the marketplace.
The Pizza Revolution: 1970 to present day
Over the years: our most famous and unusual products
Our first product. This innovative baking powder revolutionizes baking at home. Each packet is sized to the amount needed for 500 grams of flour. From the very beginning, suitable baking recipes have been included on the back of the product - another innovation.
Making pudding has never been easier. Varieties including vanilla and chocolate first appeared in 1894. Over the years, many other varieties, like strawberry, lemon, or raspberry, have been added. Then there are the true classics, such as almond or cream flavor.
This product is also one of our longest-selling items. Easy to use, it adds a delicious vanilla flavor to cakes and desserts.
For preserving and canning fruits and vegetables. Salicyl makes food last longer and thereby prevents food waste. In 1912, it was replaced by the product Preserving Aid, which can still be found in the product range today.
A classic from northern Germany. Today, Dr. Oetker offers this red fruit jelly in powder form and as a fresh product.
Still available today, our food starch makes baked goods fluffier and more digestible. It is a popular ingredient even for making baby food or hearty sauces and soups.
Baking aromas have been part of Dr. Oetker’s product range since the end of the 19th century. Over the decades, flavors like bitter almond, rum, or vanilla have been introduced. Even today, more exotic varieties like arrack (a spirit made from palm juice, sugar cane, or rice), rose, or aniseed have long been popular ingredients for baking at home.
The highly concentrated lemon flavor is essential for many pastries and is still bottled by hand today.
This is another classic product. Not only does it come in handy when baking, but it can also be helpful around the house.
Still a part of our assortment. Gelatin has long been an essential ingredient for many dishes and pastries.
Our specialty dessert product, and is one of our first alternatives to the classic cooked pudding.
This product can be used to make fruity jelly but can also be used with wine.
This is a delicious substitute for real honey.
The extra smooth pudding made with high quality ingredients. Gala is still in our product line today!
A classic Dr. Oetker invention. In 1912, Dr. Eduard Oetker, brother of the company’s founder, created this easy-to-cook jelly and named it Götterspeise (Food of the Gods). The term is said to be reminiscent of the ambrosia of Greek mythology. Today, the term "Götterspeise" is synonymous with jelly in Germany.
This replacement for the early Salycil was significantly more digestible and just as effective. This product is still part of our product range today.
Hard to believe, yet true. Our beloved ice cream powder has been part of the range since 1914 - with a few minor interruptions.
This tea is not real tea, but tea substitute. That said, Dr. Oetker continues to offer real teas in Brazil to this day.
Dr. Oetker sauce powders are the most popular topping for puddings. They remain in our assortment to this day.
This innovative product makes it easy to make delicious pancakes - just add milk to the powder and bake.
The specialty pudding with an exotic twist. Even the packaging has an elaborate design.
With its distinctive almond flavor, this pudding was around until 2009.
The pudding for fruit lovers! The extra fruity fresh recipe (including peach and lemon flavors) was a welcome change from the classic assortment.
This unique product intended for making starch-based puddings is only available for five years. However, the packaging design will always be remembered as a special one.
A seasoning product for savory cuisine. The concentrated seasoning gives stews, soups, and sauces an incredibly hearty flavor!
Dr. Oetker’s first packaged yeast product. It is available to consumers for only two years and doesn’t reemerge in the assortment until 1968.
After the war, Tortin tablets serve as a substitute for Backin. Although they can adequately replace baking powder in all flat doughs, they are not suitable for doughs that should rise a lot.
Another product born out of necessity was cocoa powder imported from England, which Dr. Oetker began offering its customers in the early post-war years.
This marks a whole new product category for Dr. Oetker - soft drinks! Bibex can be used to make a vitamin-packed lemonade, best served ice-cold.
The perfect topping for any fruit cake. Clear cake glaze – is still in our product range.
Surprising for many - we also had jam in our assortment. In 1955 we started with strawberry, apricot, cherry, raspberry, pineapple, orange, and blackcurrant.
Flana is one of our finest specialty puddings. Among the flavors were mocha and caramel.
The new decade starts with a trailblazing achievement - Dr. Oetker enters the field of innovative frozen foods! Among the first products are ice cream, vegetables, and fish. What began as a small range quickly grew into a large assortment, offering the perfect product for every taste.
An innovative product: pudding without cooking! And ready to eat in just one minute. Galetta has become popular as a quick snack and makes a great addition to a camping trip. The instant pudding even comes along on expeditions, as sources in the Dr. Oetker company archives prove. Whether in the Himalayas, in the jungles of Central Africa, or the Arctic, Galetta was there!
For the easy production of jams, marmalades and jellies, Dr. Oetker introduced Gelfix in 1961. Its base is the vegetable gelling agent pectin.
This creamy dessert is an intensely fruity experience. The refreshing dessert is available in tangerine and lemon flavors. The key component is a gelatin capsule with lemon oil, which only dissolves when boiled and releases the refreshing effect.
This is guaranteed to thicken the cream! Cream stiffener is the practical way to quickly turn liquid whipped cream into a delicious companion for cakes and puddings.
The cheesecake aid is another innovative product from Dr. Oetker, available today! It binds the moisture contained in the cream cheese and makes the curd mass firm and stable, leaving you with a fluffy, juicy treat that is time-saving and guaranteed to succeed.
This Dr. Oetker invention was made available as an instant jelly in 1967 – making jelly had never been easier!
The deliciously fluffy fruit cream based on yogurt is an instant hit with consumers when it is launched. One of the many products we still offer today.
A fruity dessert, wine cream is made with real white or red wine and is a highlight at any party!
This innovative product from Dr. Oetker makes it even easier to make yeast pastries and doughs quickly. In 1968, one bag of the yeast cultures lasted up to 12 months unrefrigerated from the time of production – guaranteed!
The convenience revolution! In 1970, Dr. Oetker became the first to bring frozen pizza to German supermarkets. It all started with the “Pizza alla Romana,“ topped with mortadella, peppers, and provolone cheese – and immediately became a huge success. Many more varieties followed. It captures the taste of Italy - after all, it was licensed for production there until the beginning of the 1980s!
Baking made easy! After a long period of development and extensive market research, Dr. Oetker launches its first modern baking mixes - and customers are thrilled! Among the first mixes are Königskuchen (King Cake), Cheesecake, Sacher Torte, Frankfurter Kranz, Marble Cake, and Nut Cake.
Craving a quick pudding, jelly, or other desserts? With our range of chilled desserts, this finally became a reality. A wide selection has been available in refrigerated aisles since 1972. Just the thing for a quick treat between meals!
In the 1970s, consumers started becoming more calorie-conscious. Responding to this demand, Dr. Oetker launched an alternative to classic whipped cream in 1972. This lighter whipped cream only has to be mixed with water and can replace whipped cream on cakes or puddings without sacrificing any taste.
The quick milk dessert available in a variety of flavors. Paradise Cream remains one of our most popular products. Between 1974 and 1980, we sold over 175 million units! The dessert cream is very versatile and can be combined in different ways or enjoyed on its own.
The “fine cuisine secret.” This is how Dr. Oetker advertised its French-style crème fraîche back in 1979. It quickly became popular among amateur chefs and is still synonymous with this kind of dairy product in Germany today.
Dr. Oetker launched its first muesli range in two varieties. The fruit muesli contains an extra-large proportion of fruit - chunks of apple, pear, and plum. The gently roasted crunchy muesli, on the other hand, adds just the right crunch to the breakfast table. At the same time, muesli bars are introduced for healthy enjoyment on the go.
Following the successful launch of muesli, Dr. Oetker expands its range to include breakfast cereal aimed primarily at children. The “Torelli’s” and “Teddy’s” products feature a playful design and are enjoyed by more than just kids. Later, classic corn flakes were also added to the range.
The taste of an Italian restaurant at home! With the “Ristorante,” classic Italian pizza lovers will find the perfect pizza for them. Initially available in salami and ham, it quickly became one of the most popular frozen pizzas around – and not just in Germany. Currently, 21 varieties are offered in Germany!
It couldn’t be any easier! Microwavable cake mixes were all the rage in the late 1980s. Within minutes, you can have a homemade cake – even the baking pan made of paper comes with the mix. All you have to do is add the oil and the liquid. By the way, Dr. Oetker also offers pizza and pudding that can be prepared in the microwave!
Chinatown – The magic of Asia... straight from the freezer. With the Chinatown line, Dr. Oetker bundles its range of Asian-inspired frozen dishes. Consumers are offered a rich and exotic range from spring rolls to curries and sweet and sour dishes.
is a frozen pizza based on a traditional Italian style. This rustic pizza aims to bring the taste of rural Trattorias onto your plate. Varieties like pepperoni salami or cipole with extra onions make for a hearty treat.
This new line of muesli gives traditional muesli a makeover and focuses on a balanced and active lifestyle. To this day, Vitalis is at the heart of our muesli range and is constantly coming out with new, unusual varieties.
24 years after introducing the first frozen pizza in Germany, Dr. Oetker launches Ristorante Calzone – meaning “pants” in Italian – the first pizza of its kind in German freezers. It is also made from traditional rustic pizza dough. To this day, it can still be found in our range and continues to have a lot of fans.
The first version of the Vega Cream was introduced in the mid-1990s. At that time, however, it wasn’t vegan. It consisted of skimmed milk yogurt and high-quality vegetable fats and was a light alternative to the classic crème fraîche. Today, Vega Cream is 100% vegan.
The flavor adventure from the land of opportunity. Generous layers of extra cheese meet a crispy, fluffy, and extra-thick crust. Just the way they like it in America!
By the end of the 1990s, American cake classics were spilling over the pond as the hot trend, and American recipes were particularly in demand among the younger consumers. Dr. Oetker responded with the perfect baking mixes for muffins, brownies, cookies, and donuts. They are still as popular as ever.
Once again, an authentic, innovative product in the field of frozen pizza. “Die Ofenfrische” brings the raw dough pizza back into the freezer. In 1970, Dr. Oetker’s first pizza was delivered to consumers raw.
These unusual baking mixes hit the mark. Specialty creations such as Pyramid Cake, Kilimanjaro Cake, and Mole Cake were newly introduced. In particular, the last one found a loyal fan base and can still be bought in your local supermarket.
The hot little treat for between meals. The first variation of our popular snack was introduced in the form of “Schiffchen” (little ships). The light, crispy dough is covered with a hearty topping and a sour cream sauce. The snack comes in ham, minced bell pepper, tuna, and spinach varieties, with two pieces in each package.
This pizza takes you on a trip around the world! Whether to Greece, India, Mexico, or China - Culinaria offers various international cuisine-themed editions. With gyros, cashews and curry, chili beans, and tortilla chips or mung bean sprouts, these pizzas are served with a side of wanderlust.
Pizza fans have a burning passion for this one: Flambiata, a pizza baked in a wood-burning oven and then scorched over an open flame. The flavor? Smoky, savory, hearty, spicy. Available in pepperoni-smoked salami, smoked ham, barbecue chicken, grilled vegetables, and chili chicken.
Half of the fat, all the indulgence! The low-fat Ristorante variants came out in 2005 in the popular Salame and Speciale varieties. In 2006, it was named Product of the Year by consumers in a survey by the magazine Lebensmittel Praxis.
Bringing a French flair to the table. By taking over the popular product line, Dr. Oetker expands its assortment of frozen pizzas and snacks. Whether baguette or tarte flambée in the Alsatian tradition - always tastes like a French vacation.
A light and fluffy treat with a heavenly taste – Wölkchen is a foamy whipped dessert with fluffy cream topping. It’s a treat to indulge in one of these “little cups.”
In the mid-2000s, Dr. Oetker launched its product range with the funny cow logo – a total hit with children. The unique feature of the fresh pudding is its spots, which are created in a process patented by Dr. Oetker as a part of the filling process and therefore always look a little different. Over the years, the range was expanded repeatedly, adding ready-to-eat cakes, cereals, and more.
Dr. Oetker is one of the first companies to offer a frozen pizza with an organic seal. At first, it was available in the Biologica Special and Biologica Mozzarella varieties, but we didn’t stop there. Organically produced baking mixes, puddings, dessert products, baking ingredients, and mueslis were also made available from 2007. All products are marked with a hexagonal organic seal, which indicates compliance with the legal requirements for organic farming.
Dr. Oetker embraces a slower pace with this frozen pizza. The Tradizionale is a true pizza tradition. A crispy, fluffy base made with a dough that has rested for a long time. They say good things take time. This pizza is loaded with high-quality ingredients and is straight out of the Italian Trattoria!
Enjoying cake has never been so easy! With the ready-made cakes, you can indulge in a slice in no time. The cakes don’t just look homemade; they taste like it too and can be stored in their packaging for a long time. Perfect for a spontaneous cake party!
Creamy pudding meets fine mousse. Joined by the fine chocolate chips that give Marmorette its signature look. Since 2012, it has complemented our chilled desserts range and is popular with young and old alike.
It’s so large, it barely fits on a plate! With its unique shape, no two pizzas are ever alike, while the taste is consistently like your favorite Italian restaurant.
These mini cakes are great to have on hand whenever you have guests. Their size makes them a perfect accompaniment to coffee.
The hot new product from Italy! Dr. Oetker is the first company to launch a “Pinsa” in the German market. It differs from conventional pizza in its dough composition and longer resting time.
This new range offers classic pudding indulgence made with plant-based ingredients - guaranteed 100% vegan.
Ever heard of Dr. Oetker salt?
Odd Dr. Oetker products that came and went.