Global Chocolate Brand Recommendations - 8 Legendary Stories to Make Your Gift Impressive

Chocolate contains stimulating substances like theobromine and caffeine, which make people feel excited and increase their heart rate. It also contains phenylethylamine, known as the "love hormone," and tryptophan, which stimulates the brain to produce serotonin, the "happiness hormone." These components can help eliminate negative emotions and bring happiness and satisfaction. That's why chocolate is widely loved and one of the most popular gifts. GGB presents eight globally renowned chocolate brands and the stories behind them. When you find yourself hesitating in front of a dazzling array of chocolate shelves, these legendary stories may inspire you and give your gift a deeper meaning.

Italy - FERRERO ROCHER

When it comes to chocolate, it is impossible not to mention "Ferrero", which offers a range of products including Ferrero Rocher (Raffaello and Rondnoir), Nutella, Kinder, and Tic Tac. The Ferrero Group, founded in 1946 by Mr. Pietro Ferrero in northern Italy, is the world's fourth-largest chocolate producer. It is a family-run business that has reached its third generation.

As cocoa beans were in short supply during the war, Pietro Ferrero, who lived in a hazelnut-rich area, came up with the idea to reduce chocolate consumption by adding hazelnuts to chocolate. He mixed it with vegetable oil to create a hazelnut chocolate sauce and supplied it to his wife Piera's coffee and pastry shop. And this is Nutella. Pietro's brother Giovanni established an efficient sales network for the company, and Pietro's son Michele took over the business then. Michele spent five years inventing the world-famous Ferrero Rocher chocolates and became known for commuting by helicopter every day from his villa in Monte Carlo to the company in Alba, Piedmont. To honor his father and uncle, Michele named his two sons Pietro and Giovanni as well. As of October 2022, Giovanni Ferrero has a net worth of approximately $38.9 billion, making him the richest man in Italy. Now, the family legend continues.

Belgium - Godiva

Since 1968, Godiva has been the purveyor of chocolates for the Belgian royal family. The brand was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1926 by chocolate master Pierre Draps. Its name comes from Lady Godiva's centuries-old legend. According to the tale, around 1040, Count Leofric of Coventry imposed heavy taxes on the people. His wife, Lady Godiva, bet that if she rode through the city on horseback completely naked, with only her long hair to cover herself, the count would reduce taxes. The next day, Lady Godiva rode naked on her horse, and the townspeople, to show respect, closed their doors and windows to spare her embarrassment. Count Leofric fulfilled his promise, and Lady Godiva became a symbol of bravery and kindness.

Today, Godiva has become a globally renowned handmade chocolate brand. They offer over two hundred different designs, and customers can customize a box of chocolates to their preferences, selecting from a wide range of flavors and fillings. Godiva carefully curates chocolate gift boxes suitable for every occasion, presenting an unforgettable and thoughtful gift.

Swiss - Lindt

The main characteristic of Swiss chocolate is the sweet chocolate shell that encases a smooth and creamy center. In 1845, David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his son Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann created the first solid chocolate in a small candy shop in Zurich. They later opened their own chocolate shop and two years later established the world's first solid chocolate factory. Although the chocolate at the time smelled delightful, its texture was rough and bitter.

In 1879, Rodolphe Lindt from Bern was determined to develop velvety chocolate. One Friday evening, exhausted, he forgot to turn off the mixing machine as he left the factory. The machine continued to mix the chocolate relentlessly throughout the weekend, resulting in a smooth and delicate texture. Upon its release, it quickly gained popularity.

After Rudolf's retirement, his son Johann Rudolf took over the chocolate factory. In 1899, he acquired Rodolphe's chocolate factory, along with its employees and secret recipes, forming the globally renowned Lindt & Sprüngli that we know today.

Related: Luxury Chocolate and Cake Companies in Hong Kong

Belgium - Duc d'O

Compared to various longstanding chocolate brands in Europe, Duc d'O is relatively young but has already become a top-tier brand of filled chocolates in Belgium. In 1983, Henry Verhelst founded Duc d'O, believing that filled chocolates best showcase chocolate artisans' creativity. Therefore, Duc d'O has always insisted on making its own chocolate fillings, concentrating on the selection of cocoa butter, hazelnuts, liqueurs, fruit pulp, and almonds.

Among them, liquor-filled dark chocolates are particularly beloved. The dark chocolate encases five world-famous spirits: Grand Marnier, Remy Martin XO, Mandarine Napoleon, Cointreau, and The Famous Grouse Whiskey. With their enticing color and rich, delicate flavors, they have gained widespread popularity.

UK - Artisan du Chocolat

Artisan du Chocolat is another young brand that has broken with tradition and redefined artisanal luxury chocolate in the UK. Founder Gerard Coleman, born in Ireland, honed his culinary skills in various places such as Dublin, London, and New York. In 2000, he opened the first Artisan du Chocolat in London. In 2003, he created the renowned “N°1 Sea Salted Caramels Original Milk Chocolate” for Gordon Ramsay's restaurants, who is one of the best-known and most influential chefs in the world.

The chocolate balls have a crispy dark chocolate exterior, enveloping sea salt and melting caramel. The multiple flavors create a unique sensory experience, catapulting Coleman to fame. Furthermore, Coleman is a true chocolate artist, with his elegant and delicate Pearls chocolate balls and visually stunning and flavor-rich O's circular chocolate becoming signature products of Artisan du Chocolat.

France - Mademoiselle de Margaux

In 1969, Mademoiselle de Margaux was born in Bordeaux, France. This area is known for its numerous renowned wine cellars and vineyards, which inspired the creation of this chocolate brand. During the production of chocolate bars, a nozzle became clogged, leading to the accidental creation of Sarments du Medoc (Medoc Branches), chocolate sticks that curved and resembled grapevines. This crispy chocolate stick won the Best Confectionery Award in 1983.
Being coated with dark chocolate, grapes soaked in rum are called Le Raisin, and cherries soaked in brandy are called La Guinette. The combination of rich wine flavors and melting dark chocolate creates a luxurious experience on the palate, while the sweet and soft fruit provides a refreshing sensation. Additionally, selected white raisins coated in dark chocolate are Perles du Medoc (Medoc Pearls), where the intense dark chocolate blends perfectly with the tangy sweetness of the raisins.

Germany - Ritter Sport

Unlike other chocolate brands, Ritter Sport chocolate is always square, a design that has been maintained for many years and reflects German precision. In 1912, Alfred Eugen Ritter, a confectioner in Germany, fell in love with candy store owner Clara Göttle. After their wedding, they established a chocolate and candy factory, marking the beginning of a century-long family business. In 1932, Clara proposed making chocolate in a square shape, because at the same weight, a square bar of chocolate is less likely to break in men's sports jacket pockets than the common rectangular shape. This idea was immediately embraced and supported by the family, and it also became the origin of the "Sport" in the brand name. Today, these vibrant-colored square chocolates have become one of the most popular chocolates in Germany, sold in over 60 countries worldwide.

Japan - Mary’s

This chocolate brand is a popular Japanese chocolate brand, founded by Mr. Kentaro Hara in 1950, and has opened over 2,000 stores in Japan, with dedicated counters in department stores across multiple countries. It is widely known that the tradition of giving chocolate on Valentine's Day originated in Japan, which can be traced back to Mary's Chocolate. In 1958, Kentaro Hara learned that in Europe, lovers exchange flowers and chocolates on Valentine's Day. Inspired by this, he held a Valentine's Day promotion in a department store in Tokyo. Unfortunately, Valentine's Day was not yet popular in Japan at that time, and sales fell far short of expectations. However, they did not give up. The following year, they shaped the chocolates into hearts and promoted the idea that women could send chocolates to men they liked on February 14th, Valentine's Day. If the men accepted, they would reciprocate by giving chocolates to the women on March 14th, White Day. With the increasing social status of women then, when Mary's Chocolate promoted Valentine's Day as "the day for women to confess their feelings", it quickly gained widespread support. The tradition of "women giving chocolates to men" became established as a Valentine's Day custom and gradually spread globally.