Oxo cubes are another one of those products that our customers ask us for all the time. “Stock cubes just aren’t the same in Germany”, they’ll say. So once again, it’s Dalriata to the rescue! This simple yet essential kitchen staple has been a trusted ally in British and Irish kitchens for generations, and everybody’s familiar with the little cube-shaped flavour bombs wrapped in silver foil.
Surprisingly, despite their popularity in the UK, Oxo cubes were invented by a German! Yes, just like Marmite, they are a creation of the one and only Justus von Liebig. Oxo started life as a liquid beef extract, but this was too expensive for many potential customers, so in 1910 they launched the solid version we’re all so familiar with today. The name, of course, comes from the word ox.
Oxo’s popularity really took off when it was issued to British armed forces in the First World War. After returning home, the soldiers kept buying it, and it soon became a ubiquitous household staple.
Oxo cubes make it easy to get a rich, tasty beef stock every time. Simply dissolve a cube in 200 ml of boiling water, and voilà, you have a rich and tasty broth ready to be used in all kinds of culinary applications. They are incredibly convenient, especially when you’re in a hurry to prepare a meal or don’t have homemade stock readily available.
The taste of Oxo cubes is rich and savoury in a way that German equivalents just don’t seem to be able to achieve. Full of umami, they provide a warm, meaty essence that can significantly elevate the taste of your dishes. The richness of Oxo cubes makes them ideal for soups, stews, casseroles, and gravies. Try adding a beef Oxo cube to your shepherd’s pie for a really satisfying, hearty flavour that’s perfect for a cosy night in.
