Masters of Cacao since 1840

Our close to 180 years of Holland-born passion and dedication have made us at Bensdorp the Dutch Masters in truly refined cocoa powders.

Our History and Brand Heritage

Our rich and delightful brand history traces all the way back to the 19th century Holland, an industrial hotbed for revolutionary cocoa processing techniques that determined the unique taste and texture of the cocoa products you enjoy today. 

To this moment we embrace our roots dearly, inspiring us to uphold the premium Bensdorp quality and unequalled usability and stimulating us to create innovative new products to offer you the world’s finest cocoa.

History and heritage

Revolutionary Dutch inventions

dutching

In 1828 the Dutchman Coenraad van Houten invented the cocoa press, which made it possible to produce cocoa powder that was incredibly easy to dissolve in liquids. Van Houten later also invented the Dutching process, which improved the solubility of cocoa powder even more and allowed greater variation in taste and color.

The Bensdorp story

Our story began in 1840, when Gerardus Bensdorp founded his small chocolate and cocoa factory. Prior to opening his factory, Gerardus had spent seven years wandering Europe working as a chocolate and sugar manufacturer. This man knew cocoa. And the time had come to share his own recipes with the world.

Bensdorp brand history
Gerardus Bensdorp
family business

From family business to an internationally renowned brand

Gerardus Bensdorp’s recipes, know-how and passion for cocoa were passed on from generation to generation. With a sequence of his descendants at the helm the small traditional chocolate factory grew into a thriving business, offering delicious cocoa products to the entire world.

Bensdorp Today

Today, with close to 180 years of experience and a global presence, Bensdorp has learned to create the finest high-quality cocoa powders imaginable. Our premium quality Bensdorp Cocoa products are designed to meet the most specific food application requirements and bring the wonderful experience of chocolate flavor and color where chocolate cannot go. For moments of pure pleasure.

Bensdorp today

Read More About Bensdorp

Discover our Bensdorp Specialty Cocoa Powders

  • Dark brown colored yet 100% naturally obtained premium cocoa powder. Produced with no chemical intervention and no addition of additives. 100% free from alkali, dairy, lactose and allergen. 100% Vegan. This unique natural cocoa powder delivers a premium dark brown color combined with a delicious mild cocoa flavor with toasted nuts aroma and a hint of dried fruits.

    Bensdorp
  • Crunchy inclusions with a light, aerated texture and a delicious dark chocolate flavor. They show an excellent behavior at high temperature (up to 200 °C) where chocolate drops can't go!

    Can be declared as chocolate inclusion on consumer packaging. 

    Bensdorp
  • Dusting cocoa powder

    Low moisture absorption for a nice matte finish:

    • Keeps its colour, flavour and dry matt powder aspect longer than any traditional cocoa powder available on the market to give a nice, velvety cocoa finishing touch to your creations.

    Clean label:

    • Only one ingredient on consumer packaging: cocoa powder
    • When mixed with sugar, ‘Chocolate powder’ can be declared in the ingredients list.

    Sensory profile:

    • Balanced round cocoa flavor with uniform matte brown velvety visual appearance.

    Applications:

    • Ideal for dusting applications with a high moisture content or products that condensate during storage (e.g. tiramisu, frozen desserts, truffles).
    Bensdorp
  • Dark chocolate powder with an intense round chocolaty flavor and a long lasting taste. Low in sugar (only 2%) and 100% allergen free. This high fat (32%) cocoa powder enables you to make a 'Dark Chocolate' claim and show real pieces of chocolate on your package. Made without addition of dairy. 

    Bensdorp
  • Low fat cocoa powder with less than 1% cocoa butter. It is ideal for low calorie applications and aerated bakery recipes such as macarons and meringues. Thanks to the very low cocoa butter content the risk of fat blooming is reduced in coatings and spreads. Classic balance cocoa and dark chocolate flavour with a brown colour.

    Bensdorp
  • 20/22 HD Cameroon

    Cameroon Origin medium fat cocoa powder with an intense, roasted dark cacao flavor and a distinctive deep dark red color. Thanks to its characteristic powerful cacao flavor, it is particularly suited to bakery products and ice cream.

    Bensdorp
  • 20/22 Highly Dutched Organic Cocoa Powder from Santo Domingo

    Santo Domingo Organic Origin cocoa powder with an intense, roasted dark cacao flavor and a distinctive deep dark red color. Thanks to its characteristic powerful cacao flavor, it is particularly suited to bakery products and ice cream.

    Bensdorp