Key dates

But it was not until 1580 that cocoa reached Europe and the first chocolate makers began to set up along the Iberian Peninsula. Their recipe for the cocoa drink was kept secret for a long time until the Netherlands and the Flemish Kingdom eventually discovered it. It was not before the beginning of the 17th century that Europe finally discovered the virtues of cacao beans and it was only in 1671 that the first Parisian “Drinking Chocolate House” opened.
It was not until 1674 that the “chocolate bar” from Great Britain finally caught on. But there was still a long way to go and it was as late as 1850 that chocolate ceased to be a product solely reserved for the aristocracy and started to enjoy widespread public distribution.
 

A new industry started to replace the handmade production market, with Menier et Poulain leading the way in France. Other large names started to appear over the years: Van Houten who introduced a manufacturing process for chocolate powder in 1825, Peter from Switzerland who introduced milk into chocolate in 1875, Caffarel from Italy who created Gianduj, Neuhaus from Belgium who invented praline and the box of chocolates as we know it today, and finally Suchard who made the bar of milk chocolate the popular success it is today.

Bonnat came onto the scene in 1884 and the famous French praline was only the beginning of what has turned out to be a long story full of chocolate delights and surprises. It is worth noting that Chocolatier Bonnat was the first chocolatier to make Chartreuse chocolates. Bonnat remains the exclusive supplier today.

Despite the fact that chocolate traditions began over 5 centuries ago the love, passion and pleasure which kindled desires then, still live on today. Chocolate – the perfect partner for all gourmet discoveries.