ABOUT US

The Real Story of Cape Crystal Brands

Every great idea begins with a problem — and for Ed and Helen McCormick, it started in their own kitchen. Time and again, they found themselves frustrated by poor-quality ingredients: overpriced, inconsistent, or simply ineffective. They knew there had to be a better way.

So, in 2016, the couple rolled up their sleeves and launched Cape Crystal Brands. Drawing on Ed’s background as a longtime food science enthusiast and seasoned entrepreneur — and Helen’s keen eye for detail and operational leadership — the husband-and-wife team set out to make premium natural, modified organic, and specialty food ingredients accessible to everyone. Their mission was simple but ambitious: to ensure that both experimental home cooks and seasoned professionals could rely on affordable, high-quality hydrocolloids and modernist staples.

From the beginning, Cape Crystal stood apart. It wasn’t just about selling ingredients like gums, thickeners, and molecular gastronomy supplies; it was about teaching people how to use them. The company invested heavily in guides, FAQs, and interactive tools that explained how to apply hydrocolloids with confidence. This emphasis on education reflected an old-fashioned passion for quality combined with a modern commitment to innovation.

Over the years, Cape Crystal has continuously explored the cutting edge of culinary science — from modernist cuisine to molecular gastronomy — in order to bring the newest, most innovative ingredients to market. And just as importantly, it has built a loyal community of chefs, creators, and curious food lovers who trust the brand to deliver not only quality and value, but also reliability with every order.

Media Citations & Recognition

Edmund “Ed” McCormick and Cape Crystal Brands have been featured in more than 21 national media outlets for their expertise in food science, ingredient functionality, and clean-label innovation. Here are a few recent highlights:

• 📰 FOX News Digital – Expert insights on coffee foams and flavor chemistry (Oct 2025)
• 🗞️ New York Post – Quoted on salt-in-coffee trend and taste science (Oct 2025)
• 🍴 Food Republic – Commentary on emulsifiers and gut health (Sept 2025)
• 🏡 Homes & Gardens UK – Ingredient stability in home baking (Aug 2025)
• 🥄 The Takeout – Molecular gastronomy and texture innovation (July 2025)

For a full list of national coverage, visit our In the Press page.

Today, Cape Crystal Brands is recognized as both a trusted supplier and an educational hub. What began as one couple’s kitchen frustration has grown into a modern food science company with a clear mission: to make premium hydrocolloid and specialty ingredients accessible and affordable while inspiring creativity in kitchens everywhere. At Cape Crystal, the success of the cook has always been the true measure of the company’s own success.