Peter's Chocolate (French: Chocolat Peter, formerly Peter-Cailler) was a Swiss chocolate producer founded in 1867 by Daniel Peter in Vevey. It is notably the company who produced the first successful milk chocolate bar. It merged with Kohler in 1904, with Cailler in 1911, and was bought by Nestlé in 1929. The brand was purchased by Cargill in 2002.[1] Peter's Chocolate was recurrently advertised with the image of a traditionally dressed man waving a chocolate bar, often with an Alpine scenery.[2]The company was established by Daniel Peter in 1867, who was originally a grocer and candle maker based in Vevey. He was also François-Louis Cailler son-in-law, a pioneering (and neighbouring) chocolatier of the early 19th century.[3] After gas lighting was installed in the town, Peter focused on the production of chocolate. His business started afer the acquisition of one of Cailler's factories at Rue des Bosquets, which was therefore first named Peter-Cailler & Cie.[4]One of the main goals of Peter as a chocolatier was the creation of a solid version of the popular chocolate milk beverage, so that it could be more easily transported and consumed.[5] However, pure chocolate cannot contain any water, as it prevents it to have a smooth texture. Moisture also favors mildew, therefore a poor shelf life. Peter ultimately solved the issue by using condensed milk from the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, which he further dehydrated.[6] He previously tried using powdered milk but without success.[7] In 1875, a first version of solid milk chocolate was created and commercialized.[8] However, it is only in 1887 that the final product was developed, with the help of conching invented by Lindt in 1879, which would refine the chocolate and make it smooth and homogeneous. The new milk chocolate bar was named Gala Peter, after the greek word "gala" meaning milk, spiritual nourrishment or abundance.[9] [Wikipedia]
