The Chocolate Connoisseur July 31st, 2007
The Hershey chocolate company as known today was founded in 1894. The founder was Milton Hershey, an already known candy manufacturer. Mr. Hershey started his business making caramel candies and then decided to coat the caramels with chocolate. In approximately 1900, the idea and inspiration for creating other chocolate treats was born and the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As the business grew, Mr. Hershey moved his business to a large facility located in southern Pennsylvania, which is now known today as Hershey, Pennsylvania.
One of the best-known products from the Hershey line of chocolates is the Hershey Kisses. The recognizable foil-wrapped Kiss became a trademark product in 1924. Other products were introduced throughout the years. In 1925 Mr. Goodbar was created; in 1926 Hershey’s chocolate syrup was produced; the idea of chocolate chips for baking was bought to the consumer’s attention in 1928; followed in 1938 by the introduction of the Krackel bar. The Hershey Company provided chocolate to another company then known as the H.B. Reese Company. This company made peanut butter cups, which were coated with chocolate. At that time they were called Penny Cups. The Reese Peanut Butter Cup has been enjoyed for more than 75 years and after the death of Mr. Reese in 1956 Mr. Hershey purchased the company. From 1968 onwards, The Hershey Company has acquired many other companies including Delmonico Foods, Roundtree Mackintosh, Y and S Company, responsible for providing Twizzler’s licorice, and Ronzoni’s Foods, to name but a few.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur July 26th, 2007
A chocolatier named Joseph Draps created Godiva Chocolate more than 75 years ago. It was said that Draps used the name Godiva to honor the legendary Lady Godiva. The Godiva chocolates are decadent assortments of chocolates that are exquisitely handmade to create edible masterpieces. Some of the chocolate pieces are made by molding the chocolate, while others are coated by passing through a layer of flowing chocolate to cover an amazing mixture of goodness for the center of the chocolate. The practice at Godiva is to provide hand-decorated pieces of chocolate for chocolate fanciers. Skilled chocolate makers produce many tons of chocolates per day.
Marketing of Godiva Chocolates
The Godiva Chocolates are world known and enjoyed. The packaging for the Godiva brand is well recognized with its signature gold boxes referred to in the company as ballontins. The main manufacturer is located in Brussels, Belgium. The Godiva Chocolate Company does not make chocolate novelties such as heart shaped boxes or roses as it prides itself on producing and selling European style chocolates. In 1966 Godiva chocolates were introduced in the United States. There are approximately 200 Godiva stores throughout the United States and an additional 1000 outlets in major departments stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomindales. The second manufacturing plant is located in Pennsylvania. This plant supplies more than 3000 places throughout the North American market. Godiva chocolates are usually available in Duty Free stores in major airports around the world.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur July 18th, 2007
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company first opened in 1852 and has been in consistent operation since that year. The name is often incorrectly pronounced; the proper pronunciation of Ghirardelli name is “Gear-ar-delly”. The first factory opened on Greenwich and Powell Streets in San Francisco. The Ghirardelli Company operates a factory, chocolaterie, café and soda fountain in San Francisco. There is an area referred to as Ghirardelli Square where all the company businesses are located. The company has a rich legacy of chocolate making with the founders of the company being Domenico Ghirardelli, although he later changed his first name to Domingo.
During the Gold Rush, Mr. Ghirardelli discovered that the miners were willing to spend their hard-earned money on the luxury of chocolate. The first store was opened in Stockton, California. In the late 1800s, Ghirardelli hired local artists to create posters to advertise his chocolate products. This strategy proved to be lucrative as it brought many consumers into his shop. In 1892 Mr. Ghirardelli retired from the chocolate business, leaving the company in the hands of his three sons. Two years later, Mr. Ghirardelli died at the age of 77 in Italy.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 12th, 2007
A chocolate factory is a place where large amounts of chocolate are manufactured, usually for resale in retail outlets. Most chocolate manufacturers have a chocolate factory where their products are made.
A chocolate factory can be a small, family-run business where specialties are produced in smaller amounts, typically to be sold in the family-run store to the public. In larger conglomerates, such as Hershey’s Chocolates or Ghirardelli Chocolates, the production floor is a large environment making vast amounts of chocolate and novelties. The companies that have factories employ large numbers of people to help in the management and operations of huge companies to cover all elements of the producing and packaging of the chocolates in the chocolate factory. Most large companies have more than one factory, usually strategically positioned throughout the world or across the country to help distribute their products all over the world to meet the demands of chocolate consumers.
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The Chocolate Connoisseur May 15th, 2007
Purchasing chocolate online is a great way to enjoy some of the world’s finest chocolate, which is sometimes very difficult to purchase locally. Along with having a great variety of chocolate to choose from, there are often excellent discounts and promotions available as well. With just one click of your mouse you will find yourself in the wonderful world of luscious chocolate. Whether the chocolate your purchase is a gift or for yourself, the endless variety will keep you glued to your computer. There is gourmet food and chocolate available online, such as strawberry Bavarian mousse made with strawberries, real cream and vanilla on rich chocolate cake and finished with a wonderful strawberry glaze and apricot jelly.
When someone discovers shopping for food and chocolate online, they are very amazed at the variety of gifts, food and merchandise available. Think of your computer as a worldwide grocery store, with access to virtually any national specialty chocolate item. You have the ability to shop all over the world without ever leaving the privacy of your own home, which is extremely convenient. You can shop at four in the morning wearing only your pajamas, on your lunch break at work, or even from a hotel room when you are traveling. There is no fighting traffic, looking for a place to park, no fighting crowds or standing in line waiting for a sales person to serve you and no dragging screaming kids around a store. Because online shopping has grown in popularity, many price-comparison websites make it very easy to find lower prices on merchandise and chocolate products. Many also offer rebates or specials on shipping costs.
When shopping for merchandise and chocolate online, there are a few general tips that make shopping easier and safer. Be sure to shop only at reputable, familiar, secured web sites. To tell if you are looking at a secured website, check the bottom right-hand corner of the browser screen for a padlock. A locked padlock means a secured website and an unlocked padlock means an unsecured site. Make sure your login account information is confidential and extremely strong. Never use your name as the username, or your birthday or social security number as your password. A good password needs at least eight characters, such as numbers, letters, different capitalizations and special characters. This way it is extremely difficult for anyone to figure out your password. Never click on unfamiliar links and have an anti-virus program running which is up-to-date. Be sure the site you order your chocolate from has a money back or replacement guarantee. The next time you want to purchase chocolate online, get into something comfortable, put your feet up and enjoy yourself.
