Chocolate is one of the worlds favorite sweet treats, with over 2.8 billion pounds consumed annually.
But have you ever thought about who are the biggest and bestchocolate brands?
If youve ever had a piece of chocolate, Im sure you know the outcome.
viaFerrara Candy
Chocolate triggers a chemical reaction in our brains, which, in turn, elevates our mood.
Chocolate brands throughout the world have created their unique chocolate flavor combinations.
The Hershey Company, Mars, and the Ferrara Candy Company are some of the most known brands.
Mars
Mars is one of Americas leading chocolate brands and is widely considered one of the best.
Franklin Clarence Mars created the company in 1911 and first manufactured a chocolate bar in 1932.
The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is possibly the most well-known American chocolate brand.
However, he didnt create and launch his first Hersheys chocolate product until 1900.
The company now produces milkshakes, cakes, cookies, syrups, and chocolate.
Hershey also wanted to give back, and in the year 2000, they founded the World Cocoa Foundation.
The foundation aims to support cocoa farmers in West Africa to make chocolate production more ethical.
Guylian
Guylian is one of Belgiums most famous chocolate brands, and for a good reason.
Their incredible hazelnut praline seashells, for example, quite literally melt in your mouth.
Guy Foubert created the well-known praline seashells, making the company famous in the 1960s.
If youve never tried one of the distinctive chocolates, I highly recommend it!
Joseph Draps, a chocolatier from Brussels, created the handmade Belgian chocolate brand in honor of Lady Godiva.
The luxury-looking chocolate comes delicately wrapped with gold packaging and ribbons to enhance the chocolate experience further.
In my opinion, they make a fantastic gift for all the chocolate lovers out there.
Godivas chocolates ingredients form a rich and authentic taste unlike any other.
The company also makes chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered-snacks, and even chocolate liqueur.
This discovery was where the chocolate industry all began.
J. S. Fry & Sons made the first chocolate bar in Bristol, and the rest is history.
Cadbury
Many Brits will agree that Cadbury Dairy Milk is Britains most popular chocolate brand.
The sheer amount of chocolate bar flavors this company creates constantly keeps them relevant and well-loved among their customers.
Cadbury creme eggs are a real treat that all chocolate lovers need to experience.
Although the UKs leading chocolate brand knocks Easter eggs out of the park, it doesnt stop there.
They also produce spreads, high-quality baking chocolate, hot chocolates, and ice creams.
The chocolate brand specializes in luxury chocolate and chocolate gifts that are almost too pretty to eat.
Like Cadburys, Hotel Chocolat thrives atEaster and produces spectacular Easter eggs, chocolate figures, and hampers.
The small village of Tain LHermitage has been producing the brands luxury chocolates since 1922.
At first, Germany only sold chocolate as medicine in pharmacies, but that later changed in 1839.
Kinder
Kinder is a subsidiary brand of the Italian multinational confectionery company Ferrero.
Some of the brands most known products are the Kinder Chocolate Bar, Kinder Bueno, and Kinder Joy.
The Kinder Surprise is egg-shaped chocolate that conceals a surprise toy in the middle.
Kinder specifically markets their chocolate to children in the hopes theyll ask their parents to buy them one.
You cant really fault their marketing strategies.
This process is one of the main differences between Swiss and Belgian chocolate.
Francois-Louis Cailler opened the first mechanized chocolate factory in 1819 in Vevey.
His factory churned out mass-produced Swiss chocolate, which eventually spread to countries outside of Europe.
Nestle
Nestle is a Swiss chocolate brand that all of us know and love.
In 1867, Henri Nestle created infant food and condensed milk.
Some of their well-known subsidiary brands include Nespresso, Nescafe, KitKat, and Milo.
Lindt
Rodolphe Lindt launched the Lindt chocolate company in 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland.
The companys most popular product is the Lindor Truffle a spherical chocolate ball with a smooth chocolate filling.
As well as their signature truffles, Lindt also produces full-sized chocolate bars, liqueurs, and spreads.
Did you know that Lindt is the third oldest chocolate company in the world!
Toblerone
Toblerone knows how to stand out in a crowd.
Instead of sticking to the usual block chocolate bar, the creators decided to take a more unique route.
Theodor Tobler invented the nougat-filled triangular-shaped block in 1908.
Milka
Technically, Milka can be categorized as Swiss and German chocolate.
After an American business plan failure, Philippe Suchard created the first chocolate bar in Switzerland.
His children founded the Milka brand after his death and have mass-produced chocolate bars ever since.
We can quickly identify Milka chocolate bars by the cow featured on all Milka packets.
Fair Trade Chocolate Brands
Some companies are taking chocolate production and making it as ethical as possible.
The Fairtrade premium given to the farmers goes back into their communities to improve their overall living conditions.
Equal Exchange sources its ingredients and products from over 40 small farm organizations.
This small, close-knit circle allows them to build long-lasting and trusting relationships.
Loving Earth
The raw and organic chocolate by the Australian-based company Loving Earth features quality wholefood ingredients.
Loving Earth has partnered up with the Ashaninka community in the Peruvian Amazon.
Scott Fry and his partner Martha Butler founded the Loving Earth business in 2007.
It quickly took off as many consumers agreed with all the companys core values.
These values included making products that are sustainable, healthy, and fair.
Theo chocolate
Theo Chocolates main mission is to allow everyone in the chocolate-making process to thrive.
The company offers its farmers a stable price for their harvest.
And this price helps ensure theyre consistently making a profit to better their lives in the future.
Joe Whinney and Jeff Fairhall founded the Theo brand in Seattle over 17 years ago.
They released their first Fairtrade chocolate bar a year later.
And have been growing their diverse inventory to include all kinds of chocolates and candies.
The average price of a Theo chocolate bar is $4.25.
Which, in my book, is a great price for a bar thats giving back.
The following brands produce gourmet and luxury chocolates and truffles thatll do some damage to your wallet.
The prices of their chocolate collection range from $38 up to $128.
The Signature Chefs 48 Piece Selection is their most premium product.
L.A. Burdick
Larry Burdick, an American chocolatier, returned to America after training in Switzerland.
He had a passion for creating chocolate delicacies for America to enjoy.
A 60-piece chocolate box from L. A. Burdick is roughly $82.
Prestat
Our final chocolate brand is Prestat.
Antoine Dufour established the London-based chocolaterie in 1902.
Prestat has been supplying chocolate to theBritish Royal Familyfor years.
The Queen even issued Prestat the Royal Warrant as a Purveyor of Chocolates in 1975.
Before establishing Prestat, Antoine Dufour invented the chocolate truffle.
And to this day, truffles are enjoyed and appreciated all over the world.
Since its creation in the 17th century, people worldwide have indulged in this cocoa-based sweet treat.
I mean, it not only satisfies cravings but also makes you happy.
So whats not to love?
As we come to a close, we would love to know what your favorite chocolate brand is?
Are you a milk chocolate lover, or perhaps dark chocolate is your guilty pleasure?
