Coenraad Johannes van Houten

Coenraad Johannes van Houten (* March 15, 1801, † 1887 in Weesp ) was a Dutch pharmacist and chemist. He is considered the inventor of the cocoa powder, which he and his father developed by a new process for de-oiling of the cocoa beans and improve the water solubility.

Life and the Chocolate Factory

Coenraads father Casparus van Houten had opened in 1815 in Amsterdam, the Van Houten chocolate factory, which advocated his son. There the father invented a hydraulic press, by means of the fat content of cocoa mass was reduced from 54 % cocoa butter by half. This process could be patented Coenraad and Casparus 1828. The after pressing remaining, less fatty mass is easier to dry to a powder. Mixes readily with sodium carbonate (soda) Coenraad reached a better solubility in water, at the same time increased the pH and color and flavor enhanced. Currently, other alkaline substances such as ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or magnesium oxide are used for addition to the alkali carbonates of soda and potash. The process was named after its home country as Dutch Process or Dutching. In addition to the use as a beverage powder cocoa powder is used as a key intermediate in the preparation of hot chocolate.

Coenraad married in 1835, the same surname supporting Hermina van Houten, with whom he was not related. 1844, son Casparus van Houten Jr. was born. 1850 Coenraad moved his chocolate factory, which until then was located in a windmill in Leiden, in a factory in Weesp. From here he exported soon chocolate and chocolate powder to England, France and Germany. 1865 joined Casparus Jr. in the factory, which he - after the death of his father - 1887 took over.

Swell

• Chemists ( 19th century)
• Netherlander
• Born in 1801
• Died in 1887
• Man