1815
The Firm Van Houten was founded in Amsterdam, Holland – by
Coenraad Johannes Van Houten.
In the 1820s chocolate drinking was not widely developed and the
taste quality was very poor. How to develop a chocolate drink where
the housewife should only add hot water or milk to a chocolate
basis? How to make the chocolate easy soluble?
1828
Van Houten invented the cocoa pressing method – which was granted a patent from the Dutch King William IV. Cocoa solids were separated from cocoa butter by means of pressing by treatment with alkali, acids were neutralized, fibres softened and broken up.
Result – light fluffy powder, full of flavour, extremely
digestible and easy soluble in milk or water
Other ground cocoa beans(=cocoa mass) mixed with sugar and with
added cocoa butter which had been obtained in making cocoa powder,
could be moulded into solid chocolate bars, and used to coat
chocolate candies.
1850
Van Houten builds a new factory in Weesp, the Netherlands. He starts exporting products to the UK, France and Germany.
1870
Expansion of the international business. Participation at
international exhibitions where Van Houten receives numerous awards
and gold medals.
End of 19th century The name Van Houten has become known world-wide
for the invention of cocoa powder for chocolate drinks – and has
become a brand!Van Houten is represented in many countries around
the globe: NL(Weesp), Germany (a new factory end of 19th in
Krefeld), UK, France, USA: New York and Chicago.
1900
Van Houten ranks among the 10 most famous brands in the U.S. Already from 1850s a forerunner in Marketing and PR with focus on advertisements in newspapers in its focal markets.
1914
About 90% turnover is achieved from outside the Netherlands.
1918-60
Van Houten builds new factories in Germany, France, the UK and Singapore.
1971
Take-over by the company Leonard Monheim, Aachen Germany. Closing of the Weesp factory.
1986
Van Houten is acquired by Jacobs Suchard AG.
1990
Van Houten is acquired by KJ Jacobs AG.
1998
Barry Callebaut acquires the vending mix activities of Van Houten.
2000
Integration of Van Houten into the Barry Callebaut Group.
2008
Van Houten celebrates 180 years of chocolate drink indulgence and experience!
Want to be part of the Van Houten history? Contact us to find out more about offering your customers the authentic chocolate drink.