Guittard

Guittard is a US chocolate maker that describes itself as the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the US, rooted in five generations and over 150 years of chocolate expertise. Founded in 1868 by Etienne Guittard, who opened Guittard Chocolate on Sansome Street in San Francisco, the company makes chocolate handcrafted from cacao beans and serves professional pastry chefs, confectioners, home bakers, and manufacturers. Its offerings span a couverture line made in small batches in the centuries-old French artisan tradition, as well as baking chocolate such as wafers, chips, bars and cocoa powders, organized for professionals, wholesale customers and home bakers.

In the mid 1800s, Etienne Guittard ventured from Tournus, France to the Barbary Coast in hopes of striking it rich during the California Gold Rush. He brought chocolate from his uncle's factory to trade for mining supplies but discovered that wealthy miners were willing to pay a premium for his treat. He sailed back to France to finesse his craft and in 1868 returned to San Francisco and opened Guittard Chocolate on Sansome Street; in addition to chocolate, Etienne also sold coffee, tea and spices. Etienne guided the company for 31 years, and by the time of his death in 1899, Guittard Chocolate was an established enterprise with an integral role in the growth of the business community of San Francisco. Etienne's son, Horace C. Guittard, was in charge when the 1906 earthquake destroyed much of San Francisco, including the factory on Sansome; the Brandenstein's from MJB Coffee helped the company get back on its feet, and after a brief stint on Commercial Street, Guittard moved to Main Street and focused manufacturing solely on chocolate. The company's timeline also references the 1915 San Francisco Worlds Fair, the 1929 Stock Market Crash and Great Depression, the 1937 opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, and 1942 World War II, during which chocolate manufacturing was considered an essential industry. Guittard describes itself as the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the US, rooted in five generations and over 150 years of chocolate expertise.

Premium chocolate maker combining American craftsmanship with a commitment to sustainability, premium quality, and bold flavor innovation, serving professionals, wholesale customers and home bakers.

• Couverture line

  Made in small batches in the centuries-old French artisan tradition, providing pastry chefs, confectioners and chocolatiers with a chocolate that celebrates culinary artistry.

• Baking chocolate

  Between wafers, chips, bars and cocoa powders, the complete line of baking chocolate provides home bakers with a solution to take their kitchen adventures to the next level.

• Coucher du Soleil Dark Chocolate - 72% Cacao

  A dark chocolate used in recipes such as Sicilian Blood Orange Caramel Tablet and Gateaux Basque.

• Crème Française White Chocolate - 31% Cacao

  A white chocolate used in recipes such as Going Bananas and Raspberry, White Chocolate & Vanilla Verrine.

• Soie Blanche White Chocolate - 35% Cacao

  A couverture white chocolate with dairy, vanilla and cocoa butter, listed at 3.0 kg | $106.00.

1. 1Guittard - handcrafted from the world's best cocoa beansguittard.com
2. 2Our History — Guittardguittard.com
3. 3Our Company — Guittardguittard.com