8 Oldest Chocolate Brands in the World

Chocolate is a very popular snack food in America, and it’s also one of the most widely consumed foods in the world. Chocolate can be used in so many different ways, and it’s often considered a luxury. It’s usually eaten with other foods, such as fruit or nuts, but sometimes it’s eaten alone as a dessert.

There are many different types of chocolate products available for purchase today. From dark to milk chocolate, there are many different types of chocolate that you can choose from when you’re looking for something sweet! Not only do these chocolates taste great, but they also have many health benefits associated with them too!

A lot of people are interested in finding out which are the oldest chocolate companies. The fact is, there’s more to chocolate than just the taste — it’s also a product from a company that has been around for centuries.

This article will tell you which old-school chocolate brands have been around for at least a century.

9. Hershey’s

photo source: harrisburgmagazine.com

Hershey’s Chocolate is one of the oldest and most well-known brands of chocolate in America. It was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, who started out as a candy maker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Hershey’s is known for its many different products, including Hershey bars, Kit Kat bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Twizzlers licorice. It also makes products such as chocolate milk and yogurt. In fact, Hershey’s is one of the largest manufacturers of dairy products in the world.

Did You Know?

Everyday, about 80 million pieces of Hershey’s kisses are produced.

8. Nestle

photo source: nestle.com

Although Nestle started as early as 1866, its contributions to the chocolate industry  began in 1875 when they started to supply condensed milk to Daniel Peter, who also   developed chocolates at that time.

Nestle Chocolate is a Swiss company that has been making chocolate since 1866. They are one of the world’s largest food companies, with products like KitKat and Aero. Their chocolate bars have won awards for their quality and taste, and they’ve been featured on shows like “Good Morning America.”

Nestle Chocolate has been making a variety of products for over 140 years, including chocolate bars, ice cream, and even baby formula!

Did You Know?

Nestle has operations in more than 80 nations and has its headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.

7. Neuhaus

photo source: neuhauschocolates.com

Neuhaus Chocolate is a specialist chocolatier that produces high-quality, fair-trade chocolate products.

Neuhaus Chocolate is a family-owned business that has been in operation since the late 1800s. The company’s founder, Jean Neuhaus, started his journey as a pharmacist. He really wanted to be a doctor but failed several times, and then moved on to opening a shop that sold chocolate.

Since then, Neuhaus Chocolate has continued to grow and expand its product line to include more than just chocolates.

Did You Know?

All Neuhaus chocolates have been produced solely in Belgium for more than 100 years, ever since Jean Neuhaus Jr. created the Belgian praline in 1912.

6. Ghirardelli

photo source: amazon.com

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a San Francisco-based company that has been producing chocolate in the United States since 1852. Its most famous product is the dark chocolate square, which is the company’s top seller. The company also produces milk chocolate, white chocolate, and other specialty products.

The company was founded by chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli in 1852. He came to America from Italy to seek his fortune, but he eventually decided to stay after seeing how well his candies sold.

Did You Know?

The first store of Ghirardelli is located in Peru.

5. J.S. Fry & Sons

photo source: Wikimedia

S. Fry & Sons Chocolate has been making the finest chocolates in London since 1847.

Their chocolate is made in the old-fashioned way, using the best ingredients to create a rich and creamy treat that’s perfect for sharing. The company has grown over the years, but they still keep their focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

The British Cocoa & Chocolate Firm was formed in 1919 after the company combined with Cadbury’s chocolate. The Fry’s division moved to Somerdale, Keynsham, a small town west of Bristol, starting in 1923 under the direction of Egbert Cadbury. Even though Somerdale stopped using Fry’s after 1981, the plant continued to play a significant role in the production of Cadbury’s goods.

4. Lindt and Sprungli

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Lindt has been on the market since 1845, making them one of the most trusted names in chocolate. Their pieces are made with pure ingredients like milk and sugar that come from Switzerland. They also use no artificial flavors or preservatives, which means you can feel good about eating them.

The tiny but renowned chocolate business established by Rodolphe Lindt in Berne in 1879 was purchased at the same time by Johann Rudolf Sprüngli-Schifferli. For 1.5 million Gold Francs, he purchases both the business and the brand (equivalent to approximately CHF 100 million today).

3. Whitman’s 

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Whitman’s is the second oldest American chocolate company. The company was founded in 1842 by Stephen J. Whitman on the Philadelphia waterfront. Due to the shop’s location, Whitman’s confections were popular with traveling sailors and their wives.

To keep up with the popular European treats of the time, the sailors brought Whitman imported nuts, fruits, and cocoa. 

Whitman made many innovations in the company’s early years, which helped fuel its growth. In 1854, Whitman’s Choice Mixed Sugar Plums became the first-ever prepackaged confection in what is now known as a “trademarked” package. 

Additionally, Whitman’s became known for its print-advertisements, which were a novel idea at the time. 

Eventually, Whitman’s grew into one of the largest and most-recognized chocolate brands in America.

Throughout its history, Whitman’s has been owned by different companies, including Pet, Inc. (evaporated milk) and Russell Stover. Today, Whitman’s is owned by Lindt & Sprüngli, which acquired Russell Stover in 2014. 

Did You Know?

Whitman’s introduced its iconic Whitman’s Sampler in 1912; this was the first use of cellophane in the candy industry. 

2. Cailler

photo source: cailler.ch

Cailler Chocolate Company is a family-owned business that has been making chocolate since 1819. The company was founded in Switzerland by François-Louis Cailler and is owned by Nestle today.

The company’s products are sold throughout Europe and North America. The company has been featured in many publications over the years, including The New York Times and Le Monde.

The company’s primary focus is on producing high-quality chocolate products with a focus on taste, texture, and quality of ingredients. Their products are sold worldwide through a network of retailers and distributors.

1. Baker’s Chocolate Company

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Baker’s Chocolate Company is a family-owned and operated business that has been making chocolate for more than 200 years. Baker’s Chocolate Company was founded by James Baker, who started the company in 1780, making it the oldest chocolate company in the world.

Today, Baker’s Chocolate Company is one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate confections in the world. They produce candy bars, truffles, ganaches, and other items made with chocolate with the help of Kraft Heinz.