Bourbon

When thinking of delicious Japanese confectionery, the name Bourbon (ブルボン) likely comes to mind. It's one of Japan's largest confectionery companies, founded in 1924 by Kichizo Yoshida in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into Bourbon's fascinating century-long history.

From a Small Shop to a Determined Confectionery Company

Back in 1924, Bourbon was merely a small confectionery shop located in front of Kashiwazaki Station. Kichizo Yoshida had the ambitious idea of establishing his own confectionery company. He invested 100,000 yen (approximately 22,000 Thai Baht at the time) to register Kitanihon Seika, starting with the production of traditional Japanese candies and sweets.

Initially, his business wasn't very successful. Three years later, he invested another 200,000 yen (approximately 45,000 Thai Baht at the time) to purchase machinery for cookie production. In addition to selling from his storefront, he also hired employees to sell products on trains. This strategy significantly boosted the popularity of his confections among tourists and residents in other cities.

Overcoming War and Thriving in the Post-War Boom

In 1932, the company began producing a wider range of sweets and expanded its business by opening a branch in Tokyo. However, soon after, World War II began, causing a decline in the popularity of snacks. As a result, the company shifted to producing other goods, such as powdered miso and soy sauce, though sales did not see significant growth.

After World War II, Japan's economy experienced rapid growth, leading to increased demand for various types of snacks. During this period, the company successfully developed many new confectionery products, resulting in remarkable growth and expansion.

Expanding Product Lines : Western-Style Confections and Global Awards

In 1963, the company established a new factory in Arahama, on the outskirts of Kashiwazaki, increasing its capital to 100 million yen (approximately 22,794,490 Thai Baht at the time). Subsequently, it expanded its product lines, beginning to produce a wide variety of Western-style sweets and biscuits, including:

• Alfort: Chocolate-coated biscuits
• Petit Reve: Cream-filled biscuits
• Cream Pie: Cream sandwich cookies
• Potelka: Potato chips
• Lumonde: Cookies
• Baum Roll: Cakes
• Elise: Wafers
• Pikkara: Crackers (In 1981, these crackers received a global gold medal from Monde Selection in Belgium, an international organization that evaluates product quality.)

Renaming to Bourbon and Global Expansion

Later, on June 1, 1989, the company officially changed its name to Bourbon Corporation and established an additional factory in Murakami. It then diversified its product range even further, introducing items such as Hi-Chocolat, wheat flour crackers, mineral water, alkaline water, cocoa powder, health foods, and many more.

Throughout the 1990s, Bourbon expanded its business beyond Japan, beginning to export products to international markets in Europe, Asia, and America. These products quickly gained popularity, recognized for their unique quality and taste.

One of Bourbon's key strategies is its ability to blend traditional Japanese flavors with Western influences. This fusion creates unique products that appeal to consumers both domestically and internationally.

Bourbon Today: A Leader in Confectionery Innovation

Over the decades, Bourbon has continued to innovate and diversify its product offerings to meet evolving tastes and preferences. Currently, the company boasts over 100 types of products and sells them in more than 50 countries worldwide, with 10 production factories in Japan and two overseas.

With its long history, dedication to production, and adaptability to changing times, Bourbon remains a confectionery giant that has continuously delivered delicious treats to people for generations.

You can find a wide variety of Bourbon products at all Rimping Supermarket branches!