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Las setas : C/ Regina nº15 | El Salvador : Plaza del Salvador nº15, Sevilla | Triana : C/ San Jacinto nº 6 Peatonal (Triana)
This history of churros with chocolate starts in 1875, Estepa (Seville, Spain)
Should Estepa be represented by its smells, after cinnamon chocolate would be its second aroma, without a doubt, and should it be represented by its industry Rafael Jimenez’s chocolate factory would be among its top ones.
The unmistakable taste of those chocolate ounces still remains on many Estepeños palates and minds. Rafael Jimenez Perez, our great-grandfather, was born in 1867 in Estepa (Seville). He was known as the “tio del bigote” (the moustache man), due to the period moustache he was wearing on every chocolate ounce to avoid plagiarism.
According to the records of 1900, he was living at 22, calle Saladillo, and by that time he had purchased the Palacio del Marques de Oro (the Golden Marquis Palace).
In fact, at the end of the 19th century he was making chocolate under the brand “Rafael Jimenez”, located at 60 and 62 calle Castillejos.
Rafael Jimenez
Chocolates
In 1915 he started introducing electric motors into the chocolate manufacturing, obtaining great production at a more competitive price.
He sold two 350 grams chocolate bars for 1.50 pesetas, while his competitors sold them for 2 pesetas, which started an important competitive battle. To avoid being copied, he made moulds with his face on and a warning: “To avoid any imitation, I strongly beg you to please pay attention to the package because it contains my portrait, name and surname”.
He was an entrepreneur who accompanied his chocolate sales with cinnamon, Zanzibar clove, black pepper, mother clove, cumin, anise, black and green tea and sugared almonds.
His enterprising ability also allowed him to open a flour factory.
Virgen
de los Reyes
In 1926, his son Manuel travelled to Seville where he founded the Virgen de los Reyes Chocolate Factory.
After he passed away, two of his sons continued with the chocolate manufacturing in Seville. This factory was later sold to the Luca de Tena family, who were chocolate distributors at that time.
Afterwards, the business did not succeed and in the 50’s it was auctioned. Then our grandfather Antonio Gonzalez bought the business. He continued making his chocolates and bonbons, as well as delicious biscuits.
His great competence and experience as a businessman lead him to different areas. He built the Hotel Virgen de los Reyes, one of the most historical and traditional establishments in the town of Seville.
