Guylian
Encyclopedia
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
chocolate
Chocolate
Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
manufacturer founded by Guy Foubert in 1960. The company takes its name from the combination of Foubert's first name (Guy) with that of his wife, Liliane.
Guylian is perhaps most famous for their production of chocolate Sea Shells praline
Praline
Praline is a family of confections made from nuts and sugar syrup.-Europe:As originally inspired in France at the Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte by the cook of the 17th-century sugar industrialist Marshal du Plessis-Praslin , early pralines were whole almonds individually coated in caramelized sugar,...
with different fillings. Guylian has been the major sustaining sponsor of Project Seahorse
Project Seahorse
Project Seahorse is a marine conservation organization committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems. Founded in 1996 by Amanda Vincent and Heather Koldewey, Project Seahorse generates cutting-edge research and turns its findings into highly effective...
since 1999.
In 2008 Lotte Confectionery
Lotte Confectionery
Lotte Confectionery is a South Korean company headquartered in Yangpyeong-dong Yeongdeungpo-gu Seoul, Korea. It was established in 1967 and its plants are located in Seoul, Daejeon, Yangsan, Pyeongtaek and Siheung. It manufactures and sells more than 200 products to more than 70 countries. It is...
from South Korea bought the company for $164 mln.
History
Born in 1938, the son of a Sint-Niklaas baker, Guy Foubert developed his skills at the Antwerp School of Confectionery and Patisserie in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. During his schooling, Guy Foubert was already selling hand-made chocolate truffles on the local market.
The Chocolaterie Guylian was founded in 1960 and the name 'Guylian' is created by combining the first names of the bride and groom (Guy and Liliane). They started with a small production unit at home, producing praline
Praline
Praline is a family of confections made from nuts and sugar syrup.-Europe:As originally inspired in France at the Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte by the cook of the 17th-century sugar industrialist Marshal du Plessis-Praslin , early pralines were whole almonds individually coated in caramelized sugar,...
s and chocolate truffles that were sold to local chocolate shops
Company icon
A seahorseSeahorse
Seahorses compose the fish genus Hippocampus within the family Syngnathidae, in order Syngnathiformes. Syngnathidae also includes the pipefishes. "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek hippos meaning "horse" and kampos meaning “sea monster”.There are nearly 50 species of seahorse...
is used as the company's icon and is worldwide protected by copyright. Its tail curls the other way around than real seahorses.
Products
Guylian sells pralines in gift boxes, individually wrapped chocolates, chocolate bars, chocolate truffles and napolitainsNapolitains
Napolitains are small tablets of chocolate intended to be served with a cup of coffee.They are about by in size, weigh about 5 grams and are individually wrapped. Napolitains may be of any type of chocolate....
.
Guylian is best known for its chocolate Sea Shells. Beside the original Guylian hazelnut praline, created by Guy Foubert in the 1960's, there are now other flavours available.