Cailler

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Oldest Swiss chocolate brand

title: "Cailler" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["nestlé-brands", "companies-established-in-1819", "brand-name-chocolate", "swiss-chocolate-companies", "swiss-brands", "food-and-drink-companies-established-in-1819", "museums-in-the-canton-of-fribourg", "1810s-establishments-in-switzerland", "canton-of-fribourg"] description: "Oldest Swiss chocolate brand" topic_path: "geography/switzerland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailler" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Oldest Swiss chocolate brand ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
nameCailler
former_names{{plainlist
typePrivate (1819–1929)
logoCailler swiss logo.png
logo_size200
imageFile:Broc Chocolaterie Maison Cailler-008.jpg
image_size250px
image_captionThe historical building of the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. It also hosts the visitors' centre "Maison Cailler"
industryFood
foundedin Corsier-sur-Vevey
founderFrançois-Louis Cailler, Peter Cailler Kohler (PCK)
fatePurchased by Nestlé in 1929, became a brand
productsConfectionery, Swiss chocolate
hq_location_cityBroc
hq_location_countrySwitzerland
ownerNestlé
brandsChocolat Kohler, Peter's Chocolate
website
::

| name = Cailler | former_names = {{plainlist|

  • F.L. Cailler | type = Private (1819–1929) | logo = Cailler swiss logo.png | logo_size = 200 | image = File:Broc Chocolaterie Maison Cailler-008.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = The historical building of the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. It also hosts the visitors' centre "Maison Cailler" | industry = Food | founded = in Corsier-sur-Vevey | founder = François-Louis Cailler, Peter Cailler Kohler (PCK) | fate = Purchased by Nestlé in 1929, became a brand | products = Confectionery, Swiss chocolate | hq_location_city = Broc | hq_location_country = Switzerland | owner = Nestlé | parent = | subsid = | brands = Chocolat Kohler, Peter's Chocolate | website = Cailler () is a Swiss chocolate brand and production factory based in Broc. It was founded in Vevey by François-Louis Cailler in 1819 and remained independent until the early 20th century, when it associated with other producers. Shortly before, Cailler opened its main factory at Broc in 1898. The company was finally bought by Nestlé in 1929 and became a brand. Cailler is the oldest chocolate brand still in existence in Switzerland.

History

Vevey factory

François-Louis Cailler was born in Vevey, Switzerland in 1796. Together with Abram L. C. Cusin, Cailler first opened a grocery shop in Vevey in 1818, where chocolate was also sold. At that time, chocolate was essentially considered as a tonic rather than a delicacy, and it was generally dissolved in water or milk. Cailler soon opened his first chocolate factory in neighbouring Corsier-sur-Vevey in 1819. It is considered one of the first modern chocolate factories. The factory allowed Cailler to produce solid and affordable chocolate, that was moulded into tablets or small blocks. Cailler was successful and, after a few years, he proposed 16 types of chocolate each with different packaging. Among popular products were pur caraque and commun sucré, which were also exported outside Switzerland. Vanilla and cinnamon flavoured chocolate bars were also made by Cailler. François-Louis Cailler died in 1852 and his wife Louise-Albertine continued to run the company along with their sons, Auguste and Alexandre.

In 1861, one of the Cailler factories at Rue des Bosquets was sold to François-Louis Cailler’s son-in-law: Daniel Peter. There, Peter would establish his own independent chocolate company and, after a few decades, invent milk chocolate.

In the early 1890s, following the development of the conching process, Cailler began manufacturing a new type of chocolate specially made for eating.

Broc factory

In 1898, Alexandre-Louis Cailler (grandson of François-Louis Cailler) opened the current factory of Broc. 1912 saw the inauguration of the Bulle-Broc-Fabrique railway, which replaced horse-drawn goods convoys to Bulle, the major town in the area. Chocolate, notably including milk chocolate using milk from local dairies, began to be produced on a massive scale. The number of workers grew from 76 in 1898 to 630 in 1901. The number of workers peaked in 1930, at 1,796.

Meanwhile, in 1904, Daniel Peter and Charles-Amédée Kohler (son of Charles-Amédée Kohler who founded Chocolat Kohler in 1830) became partners and founded the Société générale suisse des chocolats Peter et Kohler réunis. in 1911, the company created by Peter and Kohler merged with Cailler. In 1929, Peter, Cailler, Kohler, Chocolats Suisses S.A. finally merged with the Nestlé group. Nestlé ultimately retained the Cailler brand and signature for the chocolate made in Broc.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Jules_Courvoisier_-_Mobilisation_1914.jpg" caption="World War I mobilization poster for the [[Swiss Army]] by PCK"] ::

In 2006, Cailler packaging was revamped under the leadership of Nelly Wenger (head of Expo.02). New transparent plastic boxes were designed by architect Jean Nouvel (also involved in Expo.02). The change was met with criticism and, following price increases, Cailler products were boycotted by some retailers. In 2007, the plastic packaging was discontinued.

Location

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/ETH-BIB-Broc,_Chocolaterie_Cailler-Inlandflüge-LBS_MH03-1509.tif" caption="the modern plant]] (upper left)"] ::

Cailler is located in the canton of Fribourg, in the Alpine foothills of the Gruyères region, which is the cradle of Gruyère and reputed for its fine milk production.

Tourism

Maison Cailler educates visitors on the history of the brand, ingredient sourcing, and the artistry of chocolate-making — visitors are allowed to try chocolates in the tasting room at the end of tours. The factory is open seven days a week and accommodates visits in 12 languages. Activities beyond the museum include: chocolate workshops, an escape game and an outdoor playground.

The "Chocolate Train", operated by the Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line, connects Montreux to the factory.

An additional theme park dedicated to chocolate is planned for 2025.

Products==

Cailler produces a wide range of 100g and 200g chocolate tablets, essentially milk but also dark and white. It also produces individual chocolate bars, notably the Branche. Cailler also produces praline boxes, the oldest being Ambassador (since 1890) and Fémina (1902). for instance by the other Swiss brand Frey.

Below are listed the most notable Cailler-branded products:

  • Ambassador (since 1890): A box of assorted pralines
  • Crémant (1890s): A dark chocolate tablet
  • Lait (1898): A plain milk tablet made with double condensed milk. It is wrapped in mauve paper.
  • Fémina (1902): Another box of assorted pralines (gianduja-like)
  • Branche (1904): A cylindrical and rugged branch-looking combination bar. The original Branche consists of a praline centre, with a coating of milk chocolate and hazelnut splinters; sold in either red, blue or green aluminium wrapper. The Branche was created by Kohler; it is mentioned in his recipe books from 1896. It has been, however, produced by Cailler since 1904. Often placed inside a bread roll or bun, it today remains a particularly iconic chocolate bar, and the name branche has become a generic term in French for any similarly-shaped chocolate bar. Various other flavours have been produced by Cailler, such as a dark chocolate version.
  • Chocmel (1920): A honey and almond milk chocolate tablet. Probably inspired by Toblerone.
  • Frigor (1923): A milk chocolate tablet with a soft hazelnut and almond cream filling.
  • Rayon (1937): A honey nougat milk chocolate tablet with air bubbles

::data[format=table] | [[File:Branche.jpg|thumb|upright|Branche Originale]] | [[File:Branche Dark.jpg|thumb|upright|Branche Crémant (dark version)]] | [[File:Chocolat suisse.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kambly]] Cailler chocolate biscuits]] | [[File:Caillier Chocolate Factory.png|thumb|upright|Display of Ambassador pralines]] | [[File:CH-000957-X-13812 Cappiello.tif|thumb|upright|Frigor bar in a 1929 ad]] | |---|---|---|---|---| ::

Other

Other chocolate bar brands have been produced by Nestlé at the Cailler factory, such as the Chokito (since 1964). In 2018, production of Chokito (and Rayon) was relocated elsewhere in Switzerland.

References

References

  1. "About Cailler".
  2. (1980). "Candy and Snack Industry: Volume 145, Issues 1-6". Magazines for Industry, Incorporated.
  3. Notter, Ewald. (2011). "The Art of the Chocolatier From Classic Confections to Sensational Showpieces". [[John Wiley & Sons]].
  4. Barel, Michel. (2021). "Du cacao au chocolat: L'épopée d'une gourmandise". Éditions Quæ.
  5. Heer, Jean. (1991). "Nestlé: 125 Years, 1866-1991". [[Nestlé]].
  6. Thomas, Stephens. (13 December 2017). "The pioneers of Switzerland's 'Chocolate Revolution'". [[Swissinfo]].
  7. Schiess, Eduard. (1915). "L'industrie chocolatiere suisse: etude economique precedee d'un apercu general sur le cacao et le chocolat". Imprimerie de la Concorde.
  8. Mulhaupt, Armand. (1932). "L'industrie chocolatière suisse avant, pendant et après la guerre". Imprimerie vaudoise.
  9. van Driem, George L.. (2019). "The Tale of Tea: A Comprehensive History of Tea from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day". [[Brill Publishers]].
  10. Exposition cantonale vaudoise. (1894). "Catalogue officiel de l'Exposition cantonale vaudoise à Yverdon, 1894". Rochat, A..
  11. (1908). "Les Ouvriers des deux mondes". Société internationale des études pratiques d'économie sociale.
  12. Bugnard, Pierre-Philippe. (2000). "Annales fribourgeoises: Volume 64". Société d’histoire du canton de Fribourg.
  13. (26 March 2021). "L'inventeur oublié du chocolat au lait". Feuille des Avis Officiels du canton de Vaud.
  14. {{HDS. 894. Broc
  15. Chrystal, Paul. (2021). "Rowntree's – The Early History". [[Pen and Sword Books]].
  16. Collins, Ross F.. (2022). "Chocolate: A Cultural Encyclopedia". [[ABC-CLIO]].
  17. Péclet, Jean-Claude. (10 April 2006). "Le nouveau chocolat Cailler crée la discorde". [[Le Temps]].
  18. Boder, Willy. (27 January 2007). "Nestlé abandonne les emballages de Cailler". [[Le Temps]].
  19. (19 April 2007). "Cailler a essuyé 24 millions de pertes". [[RTS Info]].
  20. (28 March 2021). "La ligne de train Bulle-Broc transformée pour renforcer mobilité et tourisme". [[RTS Info]].
  21. (26 January 2022). "Un parc sur le chocolat projeté à Broc". [[Le Temps]].
  22. Courvoisier, Therese. (9 February 2019). "Cailler fête ses 200 ans tout en douceurs". [[Tribune de Genève]].
  23. (1 October 2012). "Cuochi d'artificio - Cioccolato Branche Cailler". [[Radiotelevisione svizzera]].
  24. Traitler, Helmut. (2014). "Food Industry Design, Technology and Innovation". [[John Wiley & Sons]].
  25. Richoz, Mélanie. (2015). "Mue". Éditions Slatkine.
  26. Salzmann, Claudia. "Dreieckige Ikone aus der Länggasse". [[Der Bund]].
  27. "75 Years of Lindor".
  28. (24 January 2012). "Lancement de la nouvelle marque MAISON CAILLER et ses pralinés « sur mesure »". [[Nestlé]].
  29. Métral, Nicole. (16 May 1998). "«Cervelas de la chocolaterie», la branche reste une exclusivité suisse". [[24 heures (Switzerland).
  30. (16 March 2018). "Les chocolats Chokito et Rayon ne seront plus fabriqués à l'usine Cailler à Broc, mais ailleurs en Suisse.". [[RTS Info]].

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nestlé-brandscompanies-established-in-1819brand-name-chocolateswiss-chocolate-companiesswiss-brandsfood-and-drink-companies-established-in-1819museums-in-the-canton-of-fribourg1810s-establishments-in-switzerlandcanton-of-fribourg