The Interesting Origins Of Modern Confectionery

The Interesting Origins Of Modern Confectionery

The history of confectionery would not be complete without telling the stories of three very big names within the chocolate business. Their delicious products which are sold all throughout the globe and their stories considered as some of the most successful business tales ever.

Despite the growing number of staunch criticism leveled against the confectioneries industry, these names are still considered pioneers of the big business in candy making.

Heinrich Nestle

Nestle is considered a household name all over the globe not only because of its numerous dairy products and chocolate brands but also because its ability to branch out to other product types outside the business of confectioneries.

The company’s founder, Heinrich Nestle, was born to a big family during 1814 in Germany. His grandfather and father were all in their glazier industry and Heinrich was expected to go into it as well.

But instead of doing what was expected of him, he chose instead to go into the pharmaceutical field. When Heinrich transferred to Switzerland, he adopted a new name, Henri Nestle, and then created a very authentic product which is a mother’s milk substitute.

Henri combined cow’s milk with sugar, flour and malt then sold it to the public. The product became a success and reached North American shores. Despite his continuous success, Henri opted to retire during 1875 and then sold off the business.

The business continued to grow even with the change of ownership and adopted chocolate to be one of its products during the early 1920s.

Franklin Clarence Mars

Franklin was exposed to the art of making chocolate at a very young age. When he’d gotten sick with polio during the later part of the 1800s, his mom kept him busy by teaching him how to dip chocolates by hand.

This will soon develop his desire to go into the chocolate business. When Franklin turned 19, he sold chips made out of molasses to all of the neighbors. In 1910, Franklin began selling his confectionery products in wholesale.

He established “Mar-O-Bar Co.” and created the now world-famous “Milky Way” chocolates. They became one of the best ever selling chocolates to hit the United States soon after its release.

Franklin moved the business to Chicago during 1929 and manufactured other chocolate products such as M&M’s and Snickers. His very own son Forrest took over their company when Franklin retired to a life of horses & barns.

John Cadbury

His story was very similar to Nestle’s history. John was born during 1801 & came from Quaker family roots. After he spent a bit of time in apprenticeships and dealing in teas, John returned to the place where he grew up, Birminghan and established this small grocer shop business.

He saved enough cash to start his very own factory producing chocolates. John’s aim in producing chocolates is to make sweets as the sound replacement for alcohol addiction, which was rampant in UK during that time.