Cacao
Pioneers
Since
1828

For making the rich taste of cocoa accessible to everyone to the patent they claimed for the vertical cocoa press: the Van Houten Family sparked nothing less than a revolution - one of a kind, true in its kind. Their innovative Dutching process created the lovely, full-bodied, chocolatey taste of cocoa we still enjoy today. Today still, Van Houten is the best that goes farthest.

Milestones in the Van Houten legacy

1806

Caspardus Van Houten starts a coffee & spice shop in Amsterdam

Van Houten Cocoa Drinks

1815

Start of cacao and chocolate production in Amsterdam under the Van Houten company name

1828

Van Houten patents the hydraulic cocoa press and reduces cocoa butter by nearly half for a lighter, more nutritious and dissolvable cocoa powder.

1835

Second generation: Caspardus’ son Coenraad enters the company.

1846

Coenraad patents Dutching cocoa for powders with a rich, chocolatey taste. They are mixed with alkaline salts, which makes them blend more easily with water.

1864

The third generation enters and the official name becomes C. J. Van Houten & Zoon.

1865

Van Houten packs its cocoa in tins: a revolution bringing great convenience.

Van Houten USA 1889

1889

Van Houten brings its rich cocoa flavours to the USA and becomes one of the hottest brands on the market.

1917-60

Van Houten opens new production facilities around the world.

1998

Barry Callebaut acquires Van Houten brand.

The Originals of van Houten

Today, Van Houten is back. Committing to its original mission to create a richer life for everyone, it reconnects with its tradition of bringing the best cocoa powders to chefs and bar tenders. Now they can spoil their customers with the rich taste and colours of chocolate with Van Houten's cacao.

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Discover our products

VH Cocoa tin large

Offer customers the original premium cocoa powder in a timeless collectable Van Houten tin. Vintage design, authentic Van Houten cocoa.

All so you can you’re your home-made chocolate drinks the same way grandmother used to. Have you tried it in your baking recipes yet?

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Cocoa Powder

VH Finest Cacao small

Discover the original taste of Van Houten cocoa powder. This all-time classic is easy to use, versatile and filled with premium cocoa flavours. Start making all your favourite recipes today: from chocolate drinks to chocolate cakes and desserts.