Cacao
Pioneers
Since
1828

VH history

Cacao
Pioneers
Since
1828

For making the rich taste of cocoa accessible to everyone to the patent they claimed for the vertical cocoa press: the Van Houten Family sparked nothing less than a revolution - one of a kind, true in its kind. Their innovative Dutching process created the lovely, full-bodied, chocolatey taste of cocoa we still enjoy today. Today still, Van Houten is the best that goes farthest.
van houten

Van Houten revamp

VHP rebrand

Milestones in the Van Houten legacy

milestones van houten
Van Houten Drinks

1806

Caspardus Van Houten starts a coffee & spice shop in Amsterdam

Van Houten Cocoa Drinks

1815

Start of cacao and chocolate production in Amsterdam under the Van Houten company name

vh cocoa tree
press van houten

1828 

Van Houten patents the hydraulic cocoa press and reduces cocoa butter by nearly half for a lighter, more nutritious and dissolvable cocoa powder.

1835

Second generation: Caspardus’ son Coenraad enters the company.

Coenraad cup
cocoa powder

1846

Coenraad patents Dutching cocoa for powders with a rich, chocolatey taste. They are mixed with alkaline salts, which makes them blend more easily with water.

CHocolate drinks

1864

The third generation enters and the official name becomes C. J. Van Houten & Zoon.

van houten en zoon logo
pack in tin

1865

Van Houten packs its cocoa in tins: a revolution bringing great convenience.

Van Houten USA 1889

1889

Van Houten brings its rich cocoa flavours to the USA and becomes one of the hottest brands on the market. 

van houten history
globe world

1917-60

Van Houten opens new production facilities around the world.

1998

Barry Callebaut acquires Van Houten's vending business.

barry callebaut
UTZ VH

2018

All Van Houten drinks are UTZ certified and are made with 100% sustainable cocoa.

The Originals of Van Houten

Today, Van Houten is back. Committing to its original mission to create a richer life for everyone, it reconnects with its tradition of bringing the best cocoa powders to chefs and bar tenders. Now they can spoil their customers with the rich taste and colours of chocolate with Van Houten's cacao. 

Discover our products

Caramel Aura EZ Melts

Caramel Aura EZ Melts

Caramel Aura is real caramelized white chocolate. No color or flavor added. 

Caramel Aura obtains its signature golden hue and decadent flavor thanks to meticulously selected specialty ingredients: caramelized milk and caramelized sugar. Fine-tuned processing enhances its creaminess, warm caramel notes and rich color, resulting in a memorable flavor-forward experience.

  • range
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    28%
  • Min. % Dry milk solids
    32%
Ruby Chocolate Ice Cream Coating

Ruby Chocolate Ice Cream Coating

Ruby chocolate, a true gift from mother nature, is now available in an Ice Cream Coating.  Its fresh and tangy flavor delivers a new taste experience that consumers will love, with the novel ice cream coating crack of texture. 
Ruby provides new pairing horizons for the ice cream market and new tasting experiences in ice cream consumption.

HOW CAN RUBY ICE CREAM COATING BE USED?
It can be used to enrobe or dip ice cream cones or bars

HOW DOES IT WORK IN MANUFACTURING?
It works similar to a white ice cream coating in manufacturing. No additional support is required.

  • range
  • Fluidity
    4
  • Cocoa intensity
    2
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    38%
Ruby Chocolate Ice Cream Coating

Ruby Chocolate Ice Cream Coating

Ruby chocolate, a true gift from mother nature, is now available in an Ice Cream Coating.  Its fresh and tangy flavor delivers a new taste experience that consumers will love, with the novel ice cream coating crack of texture. 
Ruby provides new pairing horizons for the ice cream market and new tasting experiences in ice cream consumption.

HOW CAN RUBY ICE CREAM COATING BE USED?
It can be used to enrobe or dip ice cream cones or bars

HOW DOES IT WORK IN MANUFACTURING?
It works similar to a white ice cream coating in manufacturing. No additional support is required.

  • range
  • Fluidity
    4
  • Cocoa intensity
    2
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    38%
Enrobing 36% milk couverture

Enrobing 36% milk couverture

Milk couverture perfect for chocolate fountains. 

Van Leer
  • Van Leer
  • range
  • Fluidity
    4
  • Min. % Dry cocoa solids
    36%
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