According to chefs, Ghirardelli is a chocolate brand that consistently uses the highest quality ingredients . The company's commitment to superior products transcends the science behind why we love chocolate and has in many ways reshaped our perception of what decadent cocoa-based treats can be. Proudly California-based since the early frontier days of the Gold Rush, Ghirardelli is one of America's oldest chocolate manufacturers, and a company that champions history as much as it has historically emphasized innovation.
From humble mining camp roots in the mid-19th century to the internationally recognized premium cocoa products it produces today, Ghirardelli has evolved throughout nearly 200 years of business to become a well-loved and widely-craved chocolate brand. There's a lot to be said about how the company came to be, how it has changed throughout history, and what makes its operations unique. Here are nine facts about the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company you definitely need to know.
1. The company was founded during the California Gold Rush Chocolate drove founder Domingo Ghirardelli across three continents before the company became the eponymous confectionary business that lives on today. Ghirardelli's origins as a chocolatier began in early 19th century Italy, where he grew up and apprenticed in the field before moving to South America.
There, he eventually started up a confectionery business in Lima, Peru. Ghirardelli found even more success, however, pivoting on a bus.
