Cadbury brothers - 1861

Although they'd worked in their father's business for some years, when Richard and George Cadbury they took over the business at the ages of 25 and 21, the prospects were daunting. Their first five years were incredibly hard work, with few customers, long hours and frugal living. Both brothers considered taking up other vocations: Richard as a surveyor in England and George as a tea planter in India.

George was more concerned with manufacturing and Richard with selling, but both brothers in their early days went out and promoted their goods amongst the trade.

The dedication and hard work of the two young Cadbury brothers, and the improvement of the quality of Cadbury cocoa products, helped the business survive and prosper.

The turning point came in 1866 when the introduction of a new cocoa bean processing technique enabled Cadbury Brothers to market a new cocoa essence: "Absolutely Pure - Therefore Best".