Guittard Chocolate Company's History
17 min reading time
History of Guittard Chocolate
Guittard Chocolate has a deliciously long and interesting history. It all began when Etienne Guittard journeyed from France to San Francisco in the mid 1800's in search of gold that he never found. On his journey to the United States Guittard brought delicious chocolate from his uncle's factory in France. This chocolate became very popular and inspired Etienne Guittard to establish the Guittard Chocolate Company in San Francisco, in 1868.
The Guittard family has continued in the tradition of Etienne For five Guittard generations, pursuing perfection in artistry, craft and innovation of chocolate making for over 150 years. It is the oldest continuously family-owned chocolate company in the United States.
From the gold rush and a little factory on Sansome Street in San Francisco to their current day Burlingame facility, we’ll take a look at how Guittard Chocolate became who they are today.
Chronology of the Guittard Chocolate company success
1868
In the mid 1800s, Etienne Guittard ventured from Tournus, France to California in hopes of striking it rich during the California Gold Rush. He brought delicious chocolate from his uncle's factory to trade for mining supplies. But after trying without success for three years to strike gold in the Sierra, Guittard returned to San Francisco. There, shopkeepers convinced him to become a chocolate maker. So he decided to return to France to refine his craft , and then returned back to San Francisco to open his business at 405 Sansome Street in San Francisco. Guittard also sold tea, coffee, and spices alongside his chocolate.
1899
After 31 years from opening Guittard Chocolate, Etienne Guittard dies at the age of 61. His son Horace C. Guittard takes over.
1900
Learning from the Mayans, Sweet Ground Cocoa is introduced and becomes a popular hit at the Cliff House in San Francisco, a popular destination for presidents and celebrities.
1906
The Great Earthquake of 1906 occurred destroying much of San Francisco including the Guittard Factory on Sansome, Etienne's son, Horace C. Guittard, relocated E. Guittard & Co. around the corner onto Commercial Street, where it remained for roughly 20 years.
1929
Stock Market Crash and Great Depression
1936
Guittard expanded with additional property on Main Street south of Market.
1937
Opening of the Golden Gate Bridge
1942
World War II
During the war, chocolate manufacturing was considered an essential industry. Horace A. Guittard stayed back at home to run the business and provide chocolate and cocoa powder to the military.
1955
Guittard remained on Main Street until selling the property to the city to make room for the Embarcadero Freeway. It was at that time that Horace A. Guittard, grandson of Etienne Guittard, moved the company to Burlingame, California.
1965
Jay Guittard, Horace A. Guittard's son, joins the company.
1967
Summer of Love in San Francisco
1975
Gary Guittard, son of Horace A. Guittard, great- grandson of Etienne Guittard, joined the family business in 1975, working side-by-side with his brother Jay Guittard and his father Horace A. Guittard.
1978
Guittard debuts the infamous gold bag of Real Semisweet Chocolate Chips.
1984
Jay Guittard becomes president and CEO.
1989
Due to the untimely deaths of his father and brother, Gary Guittard becomes president and CEO.
2000
Guittard Chocolate Studio opens in NYC. The Guittard Chocolate Studio hosts the Guest Chef Series, featuring hands-on workshops with prominent chefs, chocolatiers and bakers for a unique opportunity to learn new skills, finesse techniques and expand on your chocolate knowledge.
Collection Etienne Develops
Gary Guittard develops the E.Guittard Artisan Line—single origins and blends crafted in the small-batch, French-artisan tradition, by referencing his great grandfather Etienne‘s hand-written journals.
2007
Gary Guittard started the Don't Mess with Our Chocolate campaign which prioritized the preservation, flavor, rheology, and heritage of chocolate. The campaign gathered over 30,000 signatures, convincing the FDA to keep non-cocoa vegetable fat out of its Standard of Identity for chocolate.
First Hawaiian Crop of Cocoa is harvested.
2008
Guittard Chocolate Studio moves from NYC to LA
2018
To celebrate its 150th year of making chocolate, family-owned Guittard Chocolate Company released Eureka Works, a limited-edition chocolate blend recreating a classic Guittard west coast flavor, using cocoa from their earliest sourcing locations. This uniquely complex, multi-bean blend has an early mild-fresh fruit acidity along with notes of pineapple, dark cherry, slightly under-ripe banana and hints of citrus. It is now no longer available.
2019
As the fifth generation joins the company, Amy & Jesse, Guittard continues to find more ways to support, explore and grow with the extended family of customers, co-workers, farmers, and suppliers.
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