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Coordinates: 37°42′40″N 122°08′42″W / 37.711°N 122.145°W / 37.711; -122.145 (Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory)
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{{Short description|American confectioner founded in 1852}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2010}}
{{redirect|Ghirardelli|the company's founder|Domingo Ghirardelli|the San Francisco landmark|Ghirardelli Square|the surname|Ghirardelli (surname)}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
| name = The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
| logo = [[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Logo.svg|200px]]
| logo = Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = Subsidiary
| type = Subsidiary
| genre =
| genre =
| foundation = [[San Francisco]], [[United States of America]] (1852)
| foundation = {{start date and age|1852}}<br>[[San Francisco]], [[California]], US
| founder = [[Domingo Ghirardelli|Domenico (Domingo) Ghirardelli]]
| founder = [[Domingo Ghirardelli|Domenico "Domingo" Ghirardelli]]
| location_city =
| location_city =
| location_country =
| location_country =
| location = [[San Leandro, California]], United States of America
| location = [[San Leandro, California]], US
| locations =
| locations =
| area_served =
| area_served =
| key_people =
| key_people =
| industry =
| industry =
| products = [[Chocolate]] products
| products = [[Chocolate]] products
| services =
| services =
| market cap =
| revenue =
| market cap =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| assets =
| equity =
| equity =
| owner =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| parent = [[Lindt & Sprüngli]]
| parent = [[Lindt & Sprüngli]]
| divisions =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| subsid =
| homepage =
| homepage = [https://www.ghirardelli.com/ www.ghirardelli.com]
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| intl =
| intl =
}}
}}


The '''Ghirardelli Chocolate Company''' is a [[United States]] division of [[Switzerland|Swiss]] confectioner [[Lindt & Sprüngli]]. The company was founded by and is named after [[Italy|Italian]] [[chocolatier]] [[Domenico Ghirardelli]], who, after working in South America, moved to California. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest [[chocolate]] company in the United States, after [[Baker's Chocolate (brand)|Baker's Chocolate]] and [[Whitman's]].
The '''Ghirardelli Chocolate Company''' is an American [[confectioner]], wholly owned by Swiss confectioner [[Lindt & Sprüngli]]. The company was founded by and is named after Italian [[chocolatier]] [[Domenico Ghirardelli]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=International Directory of Company Histories|last=Woodward|first=A|publisher=St. James Press |year= 2011 |pages= 218–222}}</ref> who, after working in South America, moved to California. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest [[chocolate]] company in the US, after [[Baker's Chocolate]] and [[Whitman's]].


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:The California Miner's Almanac - 1864 - Ghirardelli Chocolate.jpg|thumb|1864 advertisement from ''The California Miner's Almanac'']]
[[File:The California Miner's Almanac - 1864 - Ghirardelli Chocolate.jpg|thumb|1864 advertisement from ''The California Miner's Almanac'']]

=== Origins ===
=== Origins ===
In 1817, [[Domenico Ghirardelli]] was born in [[Rapallo]], [[Italy]], to an "exotic foods importer" and his wife. Domenico received his first education in the chocolate trade when he was apprenticed to a local candymaker as a child. By the time he was 20, Ghirardelli sailed to [[Uruguay]] with his wife to work in a chocolate and [[coffee]] business. A year later, Ghirardelli moved to [[Lima, Peru]], and opened a confectionery store. In 1847, nine years later, [[James Lick]] (Ghirardelli's nephew) moved to San Francisco with 600&nbsp;pounds of Ghirardelli's chocolate, 13 cents in his pocket, and a dream. Ghirardelli remained and continued to operate his store in Peru.<ref name="history1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/history.aspx|title=The Ghirardelli Story — A Rich Heritage|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref>
In 1817, [[Domenico Ghirardelli]] was born in [[Rapallo]], [[Italy]], to an "exotic foods importer" and his wife. Domenico received his first education in the chocolate trade when he was apprenticed to a local candymaker as a child. By the time he was 20, Ghirardelli had sailed to [[Uruguay]] with his wife to work in a chocolate and [[coffee]] business. A year later, Ghirardelli moved to [[Lima]], [[Peru]], and opened a confectionery store. In 1847, nine years later, [[James Lick]] (Ghirardelli's neighbor) moved to San Francisco, California, with {{cvt|600|lb|sigfig=2}} of Ghirardelli's chocolate. Ghirardelli remained and continued to operate his store in Peru.<ref name="history1">{{cite web |url= http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/history.aspx|title=The Ghirardelli Story — A Rich Heritage|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate | website= ghirardelli.com |access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090120124102/http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/history.aspx|archive-date=2009-01-20}}</ref>


=== The move to California ===
=== The move to California ===
In 1849, Ghirardelli received news of the [[California Gold Rush|gold strike]] at [[Sutter's Mill|Sutter’s Mill]] and sailed to California. After doing some prospecting, Ghirardelli opened a general store in [[Stockton, California]], offering supplies and confections to fellow miners in town. Ghirardelli's tent-based store was one of the first shops set up in the area.<ref name="history1"/>
In 1849, Ghirardelli received news of the [[California Gold Rush|gold strike]] at [[Sutter's Mill]] and sailed to California. After doing some prospecting, Ghirardelli opened a general store in [[Stockton, California]], offering supplies and confections to fellow miners. Ghirardelli's tent-based store was one of the first shops set up in the area.<ref name="history1"/>


Several months later, Ghirardelli opened a second store on the corner of Broadway and Battery in San Francisco, which became, in 1852, his first establishment in that city.<ref name="history1"/><ref name="foodser">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/foodservice/|title=Foodservice|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref>
Several months later, Ghirardelli opened a second store on the corner of Broadway and Battery in San Francisco, which became, in 1850, his first establishment in that city.<ref name="history1"/><ref name="foodser">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/foodservice/|title=Foodservice|website=ghirardelli.com|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|access-date=2008-09-09}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Ghirardelli had a general store in [[Hornitos, California]], between 1856 and 1859, during a gold rush,<ref name="pnwphotoblog" /> where he perfected his chocolate recipes. The remains of the store can still be seen in town.<ref name="pnwphotoblog">{{Cite web|url=http://pnwphotoblog.com/hornitos-california/ |title= Hornitos California| website= pnwphotoblog.com |date= 14 January 2015|publisher= | language=en-US}}</ref>


===Early history in San Francisco===
===Early history in San Francisco===
[[File:Early Ghirardelli Advertisement.jpg|thumb|right|1871 Ghirardelli Advertisement]]
[[File:Early Ghirardelli Advertisement.jpg|thumb|left|1871 Ghirardelli advertisement]]
[[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate can photographed March 23 2013-8588.jpg|thumb|ritht|200px|A can of chocolate from the 20th century]]
[[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate can photographed March 23 2013-8588.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A can of chocolate from the 20th century]]
A fire on May 3, 1851<ref>http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/25161702?uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=56227869213</ref> destroyed Ghirardelli's San Francisco business, and a few days later, his Stockton store also burned down. However, in September of the same year, Ghirardelli used his remaining assets to open the Cairo Coffee House in San Francisco. This business venture proved unsuccessful, and Ghirardelli opened a new store, named "Ghirardely & Girard", on the corner of Washington and Kearny Streets in San Francisco. Soon afterward, Ghirardelli was making enough money to send for his family, who were still living in Peru. He changed the company's name to "D. Ghirardelli & Co." and, in 1852, imported 200&nbsp;pounds of cocoa beans.<ref name="history1"/> The company was incorporated in 1852 and has been in continuous operation since.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/|title=About Ghirardelli|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref>
A [[San Francisco Fire of 1851|fire on May 3, 1851]],<ref>{{cite journal|title=Capturing California|journal=California History|volume=81|issue=3/4|pages=126–136|jstor = 25161702| last1 = Paddison|first1 = Joshua| year=2003|doi=10.2307/25161702}}</ref> destroyed Ghirardelli's San Francisco business, and a few days later, his Stockton store also burned down. However, in September of the same year, Ghirardelli used his remaining assets to open the Cairo Coffee House in San Francisco. This business venture proved unsuccessful, and Ghirardelli opened a new store, named Ghirardely & Girard,<ref name="ghirardelli/history">{{cite web |title=Ghirardelli History |url=<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20180515181156/https://www.ghirardelli.com/san-francisco-heritage -->https://www.ghirardelli.com/about-ghirardelli-history |website=Ghirardelli Chocolate Company |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> on the corner of Washington and Kearny Streets in San Francisco. Soon afterward, Ghirardelli was making enough money to send for his family, who were still living in Peru. He changed the company's name to D. Ghirardelli & Co. and, in 1852, imported {{cvt|200|lb}} of cocoa beans.<ref name= "history1"/> The company was incorporated in 1852 and has been in continuous operation since.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/ |title= About Ghirardelli| website= ghirardelli.com |publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|access-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>


The next year, in 1853, the business relocated to the corner of Jackson and Mason Streets. By 1855, a larger manufacturing facility was needed, and so the factory was moved to the corner of Greenwich and Powell Streets, while the office remained at the previous location. During this time, the company sold liquor, but dropped their line of alcoholic products sometime after 1871.<ref name="Langley">Langley, Henry G., The San Francisco Directory, D. Hicks & Co., 1871. Advertisement pp. 19.</ref> By 1866, the company was importing 1000 pounds of cocoa seeds a year. By that time, the company not only sold chocolate, but also coffee and spices to the United States, [[China]], [[Japan]], and [[Mexico]]. In 1885, the company imported 450,000 pounds of cocoa seeds.<ref name="history1"/>
The next year, in 1853, the business relocated to the corner of Jackson and Mason Streets. By 1855, a larger manufacturing facility was needed, and so the factory was moved to the corner of Greenwich and Powell Streets, while the office remained at the previous location. During this time, the company sold liquor, but dropped their line of alcoholic products sometime after 1871.<ref name="Langley">{{cite book| editor-last= Langley| editor-first= Henry G.| title= The San Francisco Directory| publisher= D. Hicks & Co.| year= 1871| page= 19}}</ref> By 1866, the company was importing {{cvt|1,000|lb}} of cocoa seeds a year. By that time, the company not only sold chocolate, but also coffee and spices to the United States, [[China]], [[Japan]], and [[Mexico]]. In 1885, the company imported {{cvt|450,000|lb|sigfig=2}} of cocoa seeds.<ref name="history1"/>


In 1892, Ghirardelli retired as head of the company and was replaced by his three sons. Two years later, on [[17 January 1894]] Ghirardelli died at the age of 77 in Rapallo, Italy.<ref name="history1"/>
In 1892, Ghirardelli retired as head of the company and was replaced by his three sons. Two years later, on January 17, 1894, Ghirardelli died at age 77 in Rapallo, Italy.<ref name= "history1"/>


===1900-present===
[[File:Ghirardelli Square 1.jpg|thumb|right|Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco]]
[[File:Ghirardelli Square 1.jpg|thumb|left|Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco]]
By 1900, Ghirardelli's company was selling only chocolate and mustard, having sold its coffee and spices businesses. Further expansion over the years into different buildings allowed the company to expand into new markets and grow financially. In 1965, San Francisco declared [[Ghirardelli Square]] (where many of the Ghirardelli buildings were constructed) an official city landmark. Two years later, production facilities moved to [[San Leandro, California]].<ref name="history1"/>
By 1900, Ghirardelli's company was selling only chocolate and mustard, having sold its coffee and spices businesses. Further expansion over the years into different buildings allowed the company to expand into new markets and grow financially. In 1965, San Francisco declared [[Ghirardelli Square]] (where many of the Ghirardelli buildings were constructed) an official city landmark. Two years later, production facilities moved to [[San Leandro, California]] ({{Coord|37.711|-122.145|display=inline,title|name=Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory}}).<ref name="history1"/>


[[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop Inside, SF, CA, jjron 25.03.2012.jpg|thumb|right|A selection of Ghirardelli chocolates in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Shop at [[Ghirardelli Square]] in [[San Francisco]], [[California]]]]
[[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop.jpg|thumb|Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, San Francisco]]
Since the 1960s Ghirardelli has also moved to focus on a restaurant division by selling ice cream [[sundae]]s, complete with their famous hot fudge chocolate sauce. In one of their earliest menus from the 1960s they featured five "[[Nob Hill, San Francisco|Nob Hill]] Sundaes" all named after different landmarks, historical aspects, or local figures from San Francisco ([[Twin Peaks (San Francisco)|Twin Peaks]], [[Golden Gate Bridge|Golden Gate Banana Split]], [[California Gold Rush|Strike it Rich]], [[Alcatraz|The Rock]], and the [[Emperor Norton]]).<ref>{{cite web| first= John |last= Lumea| url= http://www.emperornortontrust.org/blog/2016/5/22/the-emperor-norton-sundae-vintage-ghirardelli-menus-edition |title= The Emperor Norton Sundae: Vintage Ghirardelli Menus Edition| publisher= The Emperor Norton Trust| website= emperornortontrust.org| date= May 23, 2016| access-date= }}</ref> As of 2024, they feature 11 different sundaes (World Famous Hot Fudge, Ocean Beach, Chocolate Lovers, Gold Rush, Mint Bliss, Strawberry Passion, Non-Dairy Hot Fudge, Cookie Crumble, Lands End, Golden Gate Banana Split, and Treasure Island).
[[Image:Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop.jpg|thumb|Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, San Francisco]]

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was bought by the [[Golden Grain Macaroni Company]], maker of [[Rice-A-Roni]], in 1963. Later, in 1986, [[Quaker Oats]] bought Golden Grain, and thus Ghirardelli. In 1992, Quaker Oats sold the Ghirardelli Chocolate division to a private investment group. John J. Anton, from that group, became the president and CEO of the newly independent Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. [[Lindt and Sprüngli]], from [[Switzerland]], acquired Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in 1998 as a wholly owned subsidiary of its holding company.<ref name="history1"/>
In 1963, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was bought by the Golden Grain Macaroni Company, maker of [[Rice-A-Roni]]. Later, in 1986, [[Quaker Oats]] bought Golden Grain, and thus Ghirardelli.<ref>{{Cite web| last= Sherrod |first= Pamela |title= Quaker Oats to Purchase Golden Grain |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-14-8602120761-story.html| access-date=2020-06-19|website= chicagotribune.com|date= 14 June 1986 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1992, Quaker Oats sold the Ghirardelli Chocolate division to a private investment group. John J. Anton, from that group, became the president and CEO of the newly independent Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. In 1998, [[Lindt and Sprüngli]], from [[Switzerland]], acquired Ghirardelli Chocolate Company as a wholly owned subsidiary of its holding company.<ref name="history1"/>

In 2015, an independent laboratory tested 127 chocolate products for lead and cadmium, and found that 96 of them contained [[lead]] and/or [[cadmium]] above the safety threshold defined by [[1986 California Proposition 65|California's Proposition 65]]. Based on these results, [[As You Sow]] filed notices with over 20 companies, including Ghirardelli and [[Trader Joe's]], for failing to provide the legally required warning to consumers that their chocolate products contain cadmium, lead, or both.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.asyousow.org/environmental-health/toxic-enforcement/toxic-chocolate/ |title= List of toxic chocolate| website= asyousow.org| publisher= [[As You Sow]]| date= | access-date= }}</ref> The suit was settled in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2018/03/08/California-Superior-Court-settles-heavy-metal-chocolate-lawsuit| title=Mars, Hershey and others settle heavy metal chocolate lawsuit |last= Yu| first= Douglas |date= 2018-03-08|website= confectionerynews.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-29}}</ref>


== Production ==
== Production ==
[[File:Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop Inside, SF, CA, jjron 25.03.2012.jpg|thumb|right|A selection of Ghirardelli chocolates in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Shop at [[Ghirardelli Square]] in San Francisco, California]]
Ghirardelli is one of the few chocolate companies in the United States to control every aspect of its chocolate manufacturing process,<ref name="about"/> rejecting up to 40% of the cocoa seeds shipped in order to select what the company calls the "highest quality" seeds. The company then roasts the cocoa seeds in-house by removing the outer shell on the seed and roasting the inside of the seed, or the nibs.<ref name="aboutchoc">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/ghirardelli_difference.aspx|title=The Ghirardelli Difference|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref> The chocolate is then ground and refined until the flakes are 19&nbsp;[[micrometers]] in size.
According to their own website, Ghirardelli is one of the few chocolate companies in the United States to control every aspect of its chocolate manufacturing process,<ref name= "about"/>{{Self-published inline|date=July 2020}} rejecting up to 40% of the cocoa seeds shipped in order to select what the company calls the "highest quality" seeds. The company then roasts the cocoa seeds in-house by removing the outer shell on the seed and roasting the inside of the seed, or the nibs.<ref name="aboutchoc">{{cite web |url= http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/ghirardelli_difference.aspx |title=The Ghirardelli Difference | website= ghirardelli.com |publisher= Ghirardelli Chocolate |access-date=2008-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724181214/http://ghirardelli.com/about/ghirardelli_difference.aspx |archive-date=2008-07-24 }}</ref> The chocolate is then ground and refined until the particles are {{convert|19|μm|sp=us}} in size.


== Products ==
== Products ==
[[File:Ghirardelli Dark Sea Salt.png|thumb|Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, split in half, showing the filling.]]
Ghirardelli produces several flavors of chocolate. The chocolate is sold in [[Chocolate bar|bar]] version or is cut up into squares and individually packaged. Chocolate varieties include:
Ghirardelli produces several flavors of chocolate. The chocolate is sold in [[Chocolate bar|bar]] form or in miniature squares.

* Milk chocolate
* Milk chocolate with [[caramel candy|caramel]] filling
* Milk chocolate with caramelized almonds
* Milk chocolate with salt and almonds
* 32% cacao milk chocolate (Creamy Devotion)
* 60% [[cocoa solids|cacao]] [[dark chocolate]] (Evening Dream)
* 60% cacao dark chocolate with caramel filling
* 60% cacao dark chocolate with espresso
* 72% cacao (Twilight Delight)
* 80% cacao dark chocolate
* 86% cacao (Midnight Reverie)
* 100% cacao premium baking bar
* Dark chocolate with [[sea salt]] and almonds
* Dark chocolate with caramel filling
* Dark chocolate with mint filling
* Dark chocolate with raspberry filling
* Dark chocolate with strawberry filling
* White chocolate with vanilla bean
* Cinnamon Crunch, layered white and milk chocolate with cinnamon sugar
* [[Peppermint bark]], layered white and milk chocolate with candy cane pieces (holiday exclusive)
* Peppermint bark with Dark Chocolate, same as above except dark chocolate replaces milk chocolate (holiday exclusive)
* Cinnamon-spiced almond (holiday exclusive)
* Egg nog (holiday exclusive)
* Pecan pie (holiday exclusive)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghirardelli.com/products/conf_bev.aspx|title=Confection & Beverages|publisher=Ghirardelli Chocolate|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref>
* Milk chocolate with pumpkin spice caramel filling (holiday exclusive)
* Sublime White [Cookies Jubilee], Rich layers of chocolate with crunchy cookie bits.<ref>http://www.ghirardelli.com/store/shop-products/collections/bars/sublime-white-cookies-jubilee-bar.html</ref>
*Cabernet Matinee Dark Chocolate infused with a hint of natural Blackberry and grape flavor


Ghirardelli also sells food service items, like chocolate beverages and flavored sauces, to other retailers.<ref name="foodser"/>
Ghirardelli also sells food service items, like chocolate beverages and flavored sauces, to other retailers.<ref name="foodser"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area|Companies|Food}}
*[[Abuelita]], brand name of Mexican-based hot chocolate
*[[Ibarra (chocolate)|Ibarra]], brand name of Mexican-based hot chocolate
*[[List of bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturers]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 100: Line 89:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ghirardelli Chocolate}}
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area|Companies|Food}}
* [http://www.ghirardelli.com/ Ghirardelli website]
*{{Official|https://www.ghirardelli.com/}}
* [http://www.lindt.com/ Lindt website]
* [http://www.lindt.com/ Lindt website]
* [http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf6b69p26c/ Images of the Ghirardelli factory ca. 1919], [[The Bancroft Library]]
* [http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf6b69p26c/#onlineitems=/search%3Frelation%3Dark%3A/13030/tf6b69p26c%3Bstyle%3Dattached%3Bquery%3D%22Ghirardelli%22 Images of the Ghirardelli factory ca. 1919], [[The Bancroft Library]]


{{San Francisco Attractions}}
{{San Francisco Attractions}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Companies based in San Leandro, California]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Leandro, California]]
[[Category:Confectionery companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Brand name chocolate]]
[[Category:Brand name chocolate]]
[[Category:Disney California Adventure]]
[[Category:Food and drink in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Food and drink in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Chocolate companies]]
[[Category:Chocolate companies based in California]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1852]]
[[Category:1852 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1852 establishments in California]]
[[Category:History of San Francisco, California]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:American chocolate companies]]
[[Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies]]

Latest revision as of 01:38, 24 November 2024

"Ghirardelli" redirects here. For the company's founder, see Domingo Ghirardelli. For the San Francisco landmark, see Ghirardelli Square. For the surname, see Ghirardelli (surname).
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Company typeSubsidiary
Founded1852; 172 years ago (1852)
San Francisco, California, US
FounderDomenico "Domingo" Ghirardelli
HeadquartersSan Leandro, California, US
ProductsChocolate products
ParentLindt & Sprüngli
Websitewww.ghirardelli.com

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is an American confectioner, wholly owned by Swiss confectioner Lindt & Sprüngli. The company was founded by and is named after Italian chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli,[1] who, after working in South America, moved to California. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest chocolate company in the US, after Baker's Chocolate and Whitman's.

History

[edit]
1864 advertisement from The California Miner's Almanac

Origins

[edit]

In 1817, Domenico Ghirardelli was born in Rapallo, Italy, to an "exotic foods importer" and his wife. Domenico received his first education in the chocolate trade when he was apprenticed to a local candymaker as a child. By the time he was 20, Ghirardelli had sailed to Uruguay with his wife to work in a chocolate and coffee business. A year later, Ghirardelli moved to Lima, Peru, and opened a confectionery store. In 1847, nine years later, James Lick (Ghirardelli's neighbor) moved to San Francisco, California, with 600 lb (270 kg) of Ghirardelli's chocolate. Ghirardelli remained and continued to operate his store in Peru.[2]

The move to California

[edit]

In 1849, Ghirardelli received news of the gold strike at Sutter's Mill and sailed to California. After doing some prospecting, Ghirardelli opened a general store in Stockton, California, offering supplies and confections to fellow miners. Ghirardelli's tent-based store was one of the first shops set up in the area.[2]

Several months later, Ghirardelli opened a second store on the corner of Broadway and Battery in San Francisco, which became, in 1850, his first establishment in that city.[2][3]

Ghirardelli had a general store in Hornitos, California, between 1856 and 1859, during a gold rush,[4] where he perfected his chocolate recipes. The remains of the store can still be seen in town.[4]

Early history in San Francisco

[edit]
1871 Ghirardelli advertisement
A can of chocolate from the 20th century

A fire on May 3, 1851,[5] destroyed Ghirardelli's San Francisco business, and a few days later, his Stockton store also burned down. However, in September of the same year, Ghirardelli used his remaining assets to open the Cairo Coffee House in San Francisco. This business venture proved unsuccessful, and Ghirardelli opened a new store, named Ghirardely & Girard,[6] on the corner of Washington and Kearny Streets in San Francisco. Soon afterward, Ghirardelli was making enough money to send for his family, who were still living in Peru. He changed the company's name to D. Ghirardelli & Co. and, in 1852, imported 200 lb (91 kg) of cocoa beans.[2] The company was incorporated in 1852 and has been in continuous operation since.[7]

The next year, in 1853, the business relocated to the corner of Jackson and Mason Streets. By 1855, a larger manufacturing facility was needed, and so the factory was moved to the corner of Greenwich and Powell Streets, while the office remained at the previous location. During this time, the company sold liquor, but dropped their line of alcoholic products sometime after 1871.[8] By 1866, the company was importing 1,000 lb (450 kg) of cocoa seeds a year. By that time, the company not only sold chocolate, but also coffee and spices to the United States, China, Japan, and Mexico. In 1885, the company imported 450,000 lb (200,000 kg) of cocoa seeds.[2]

In 1892, Ghirardelli retired as head of the company and was replaced by his three sons. Two years later, on January 17, 1894, Ghirardelli died at age 77 in Rapallo, Italy.[2]

1900-present

[edit]
Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco

By 1900, Ghirardelli's company was selling only chocolate and mustard, having sold its coffee and spices businesses. Further expansion over the years into different buildings allowed the company to expand into new markets and grow financially. In 1965, San Francisco declared Ghirardelli Square (where many of the Ghirardelli buildings were constructed) an official city landmark. Two years later, production facilities moved to San Leandro, California (37°42′40″N 122°08′42″W / 37.711°N 122.145°W / 37.711; -122.145 (Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory)).[2]

Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, San Francisco

Since the 1960s Ghirardelli has also moved to focus on a restaurant division by selling ice cream sundaes, complete with their famous hot fudge chocolate sauce. In one of their earliest menus from the 1960s they featured five "Nob Hill Sundaes" all named after different landmarks, historical aspects, or local figures from San Francisco (Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Banana Split, Strike it Rich, The Rock, and the Emperor Norton).[9] As of 2024, they feature 11 different sundaes (World Famous Hot Fudge, Ocean Beach, Chocolate Lovers, Gold Rush, Mint Bliss, Strawberry Passion, Non-Dairy Hot Fudge, Cookie Crumble, Lands End, Golden Gate Banana Split, and Treasure Island).

In 1963, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was bought by the Golden Grain Macaroni Company, maker of Rice-A-Roni. Later, in 1986, Quaker Oats bought Golden Grain, and thus Ghirardelli.[10] In 1992, Quaker Oats sold the Ghirardelli Chocolate division to a private investment group. John J. Anton, from that group, became the president and CEO of the newly independent Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. In 1998, Lindt and Sprüngli, from Switzerland, acquired Ghirardelli Chocolate Company as a wholly owned subsidiary of its holding company.[2]

In 2015, an independent laboratory tested 127 chocolate products for lead and cadmium, and found that 96 of them contained lead and/or cadmium above the safety threshold defined by California's Proposition 65. Based on these results, As You Sow filed notices with over 20 companies, including Ghirardelli and Trader Joe's, for failing to provide the legally required warning to consumers that their chocolate products contain cadmium, lead, or both.[11] The suit was settled in 2018.[12]

Production

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A selection of Ghirardelli chocolates in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Shop at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, California

According to their own website, Ghirardelli is one of the few chocolate companies in the United States to control every aspect of its chocolate manufacturing process,[7][self-published source?] rejecting up to 40% of the cocoa seeds shipped in order to select what the company calls the "highest quality" seeds. The company then roasts the cocoa seeds in-house by removing the outer shell on the seed and roasting the inside of the seed, or the nibs.[13] The chocolate is then ground and refined until the particles are 19 micrometers (0.00075 in) in size.

Products

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Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, split in half, showing the filling.

Ghirardelli produces several flavors of chocolate. The chocolate is sold in bar form or in miniature squares.

Ghirardelli also sells food service items, like chocolate beverages and flavored sauces, to other retailers.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Woodward, A (2011). International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. pp. 218–222.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Ghirardelli Story — A Rich Heritage". ghirardelli.com. Ghirardelli Chocolate. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  3. ^ a b "Foodservice". ghirardelli.com. Ghirardelli Chocolate. Retrieved 2008-09-09.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b "Hornitos California". pnwphotoblog.com. 14 January 2015.
  5. ^ Paddison, Joshua (2003). "Capturing California". California History. 81 (3/4): 126–136. doi:10.2307/25161702. JSTOR 25161702.
  6. ^ "Ghirardelli History". Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b "About Ghirardelli". ghirardelli.com. Ghirardelli Chocolate. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  8. ^ Langley, Henry G., ed. (1871). The San Francisco Directory. D. Hicks & Co. p. 19.
  9. ^ Lumea, John (May 23, 2016). "The Emperor Norton Sundae: Vintage Ghirardelli Menus Edition". emperornortontrust.org. The Emperor Norton Trust.
  10. ^ Sherrod, Pamela (14 June 1986). "Quaker Oats to Purchase Golden Grain". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  11. ^ "List of toxic chocolate". asyousow.org. As You Sow.
  12. ^ Yu, Douglas (2018-03-08). "Mars, Hershey and others settle heavy metal chocolate lawsuit". confectionerynews.com. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  13. ^ "The Ghirardelli Difference". ghirardelli.com. Ghirardelli Chocolate. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
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