Truly fine chocolates have several characteristics in common: they are always fresh, contain high quality ingredients like premium cocoa beans and dairy butter, are usually less sweet and feature unusual textures and natural flavors. Consequently, their taste differs greatly from less expensive chocolates, which tend to use artificial flavors and preservatives to achieve a longer shelf-life." Thierry Muret, Master Chocolatier, Godiva Chocolatier.

Beyond Chocolate

Rich, crispy biscuits, hot cocoa, and gourmet coffee from Godiva can be a most satisfying after-dinner experience or a special indulgence with friends.

The History of Godiva Chocolatier

Godiva Chocolatier was founded 80 years ago in Brussels, Belgium when master chocolatier Joseph Draps founded a chocolate company that was named in honor of the legend of Lady Godiva.

The Lady Godiva Legend

Many hundreds of years ago, a woman of great generosity and beauty left an indelible impression upon the people she reigned over in Coventry. Known for her lustrous hair and bountiful nature, she dedicated her life to the impoverished and stricken.

Her husband, Lord Leofric, was a powerful ruler, unsympathetic to the citizens of his kingdom. When he imposed a heavy burden of taxation upon his subjects, Lady Godiva protested. Lord Leofric boomed forth a challenge: If Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets, and if the people of the city remained inside, the taxation would be lifted.

Lady Godiva agreed to this bargain. Although she was demure in spirit, she was always most generous in action. Then finally, it was the morning of the event. Dawn rose, and the clock struck seven, ringing through the cobbled streets. The people closed their shutters, as promised. Lady Godiva's velvet gown dropped to the ground, her luminous skin shimmering.

The ride began.

Throughout the streets echoed the foreign sound of hooves galloping, yet not a single glance flew her way.

Upon her finish, the thunderous cheers were heard throughout the town. Lady Godiva had braved modesty and convention to win the hearts of all who knew her. As promised, Leofric eased his taxation of the poor, and her place in history was immortalized.

The legend of Lady Godiva has not diminished, but instead has grown and deepened. Centuries later, Joseph Draps, a renowned Belgian chocolatier, created a line of chocolates with extraordinary richness and design, a collection of passion and purity. He sought a name that embodied the timeless qualities of passion, style, sensuality and modern boldness. His choice? Godiva.

The Godiva Chocolatier Story

It's not surprising that Godiva Chocolatier, one of the creators of the world's most elegant, hand-crafted chocolates, originated in Brussels, Belgium. For generations, Belgium has had a tradition of perfectionism, from its Rubens paintings and gothic architecture to products made of intricate lace, glittering crystal and its fabulous cuisine.

In keeping with this tradition, Joseph Draps introduced Godiva chocolate to Belgium in 1926. Draps opened the doors to his shop on a cobblestone street on Grande Place, selling his unique formula of rich chocolate with unparalleled smoothness. With a remarkable eye for detail, he set forth the standard at Godiva for innovative selection of elegant, European shell-molded designs and beautiful packaging.
Through the years, these standards have been maintained as assiduously as Draps' recipes have been guarded. As a result of this adherence to Draps heritage, Godiva chocolates evoke the greatest in confectionery excellence. The same careful attention to quality is apparent in the exquisite European-style gold ballotins and handcrafted seasonal packaging that have earned Godiva a reputation for design excellence.

Global Expansion

As the success of Godiva Chocolatier grew in Belgium, Joseph Draps sought to expand the company into international horizons. The first Godiva boutique outside of Belgium was opened in 1958 in Paris on the fashionable Rue St. Honoré. Openings in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and more followed.

The Godiva brand then looked to North America. Godiva made its North American debut in 1966, at one of the country's most elegant department stores, Wanamaker's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1972, the first Godiva boutique in North America opened on New York's fashionable Fifth Avenue. Today there are over 275 Godiva boutiques in North America.

Expansion also continued into Asia. The first Godiva chocolates became available in Japan in the prestigious Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store in central Tokyo in 1972. In 1998, the first Godiva store in Hong Kong opened in the upscale department store Sogo. Locations in Taiwain and Singapore exist today.

Godiva is now available from Belgium to Singapore, from Denver to Dubai, making the Godiva brand known - and loved - in over 80 countries around the world.

Godiva Now

Since its introduction to America in 1966, Godiva continues to be the leader in the premium confectionery category. Godiva Chocolatier owns and operates more than 450 boutiques and shops worldwide where consumers can find a comprehensive selection of Godiva offerings. Godiva products are also available at finer department and specialty stores. Additionally, the company issues six seasonal mail-order catalogs a year in North America and accepts phone and internet orders.

From New York to Paris to Tokyo, it is Godiva that brings the best of Belgium to the world.

How Godiva is Made

Godiva uses two production methods to manufacture the various sizes and shapes of our chocolates: enrobing and shell-molding. Enrobing involves coating a formed center, like rich caramel, with smooth, melted chocolate. The shell-molding process is practiced extensively in Europe, and it is the method used to manufacture most Godiva chocolates.

Shell-molding begins with a mold composed of intricately designed "impressions." Each cavity is filled with melted, tempered chocolate. The mould is inverted and most of the chocolate runs out. It is then cooled, which solidifies the remaining chocolate, forming a "shell." The shell is filled with a center, allowing enough space for a thin layer of melted chocolate to be layered over the filling. After cooling, the chocolates are released from the mould. Godiva produces some symmetrical shell-molded confections by "book-molding" two identical filled moulds together. The Heart, Walnut, Chestnut, Scallop, etc. are all book-molded.

The shell-molding process has enabled Godiva to design unique molds, resulting in stylish, sophisticated confections easily recognized as "Godiva." When assortments of these shell-molded chocolates are then packed into Godiva's distinctive gold ballotins and seasonal boxes, they are sought by discerning customers everywhere.

Godiva Ingredients

Godiva Chocolates are made from fine chocolate and high quality ingredients.

The bittersweet and milk chocolate are made primarily from fine, high-flavor cocoa beans, processed to a velvety smoothness.

In the formulation of our fillings, we use large quantities of Grade A dairy butter and heavy cream - both are ingredients rarely used in quantity by American candy manufacturers.

Godiva continually strives to create new, prestigious products. For example, our Almond Butter Dome, similar to a peanut butter cup, utilizes almond butter instead of peanut butter, elevating it far above everyday peanut butter confections. The nutmeats used in our products are U.S. Grade #1.

In keeping with our heritage, many of our chocolates contain hazelnut praline, a favorite European nut product. This delicious filling is made from finely ground hazelnuts, sugar and chocolate.

Godiva's Cherry Cordials are made with cherries that are delicately flavored and have a firm but tender texture. They contain no food coloring and are hand sorted to insure that they are free from cherry pits.

Godiva uses specially dried fruits as ingredients for fruit-filled confections. The expensive drying process captures freshness that is lost during conventional freezing. In addition, pure additive-free cherry and raspberry juices give flavor to our Cherry and Raspberry Buttercreams that cannot be matched artificially.