The Koppers Story

By way of introduction, Koppers Chocolate, a third generation family business, is considered by many as the most respected, innovative and experienced manufacturer of gourmet panned chocolates in the world. Since 1937, Koppers has always avoided self-promotion and puffery.  Letting the quality of its products do the talking, its world wide reputation and success is based almost entirely by ‘word-of mouth’, or more literally might we say ‘taste of mouth’. But as reluctant as the company is to toot its own horn, Koppers has been asked to tell its story here – so this is a rare opportunity to learn some of the wonderful history of and get an idea about constant new innovations of one of the truly key players in the gourmet confection trade.

Kopper’s is about to celebrate its 70th year producing gourmet chocolates in the United States.  Over these decades, you might not know that Koppers has single-handedly originated many, if not most of the specialty panned chocolates (“dragees”) all of us enjoy today.   For example, did you know that Koppers is the company that invented “Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans” – something it ingeniously came up with over 40 years ago.  In fact, Koppers had been combining chocolate and coffee together into unique confections even before that, with such products as its Coffee Lentils and Mocha Coffee Beans...   Koppers also invented and perfected every variety of chocolate covered nuts and dried fruits.  Koppers also created the Chocolate Covered Gummi Bear, which has become one the most popular confections in the trade.   Kopper’s famous gourmet chocolate “Lentils” were developed in the 1930’s, well before the more mass market sugar-coated chocolate discs, and Kopper’s liquid-center Cordials are one of the most unique confections on the market, round chocolate balls with luscious liquid centers.  Forecasting and in fact creating major trends, Koppers was the first chocolatier in the country to focus primarily on dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and high cocoa content chocolate confections.  Similarly, Koppers was the first chocolate in the country under national kosher supervision.  Koppers and innovation simply go hand in hand.

And maybe you’d also be surprised to know that the Koppers has been inventing and producing these 400 unique panned confections of all places right in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village.  Or maybe that’s not so surprising – since Greenwich Village has always been the home of many of the most creative artists and artisans.   Koppers feels part of its vitality and originality derives from being located in the heart of the City.  Whereas other more corporate chocolate producers might do formal test marketing and market research to see what they might sell or tweak it’s products, Koppers takes its fresh wares from its candy kitchens right out to the Greenwich Village streets to get the reaction of sophisticated chocolate lovers from all around the world.

What distinguishes Koppers, and what has been its underlying simple credo, is the marriage of originality and the highest quality – taking the finest ingredients and meticulously creating each confection from the ground up, by carefully adding layer upon layer of just the right special blend chocolate or combination of chocolates.   Koppers loves what it does, and literally cannot control its creative urge.  Perhaps that’s why Koppers has invented and produces well over 400 different and unique panned confections – the world’s broadest array of gourmet panned chocolates – literally something to satisfy any chocolate lover’s deepest fantasy.  And despite producing every variety of panned chocolate imaginable, Koppers still produces in small batches, to the customer’s specific order, so its product are always fresh.  For relatively small minimums, Koppers can even tweak items to customers’ special needs.

Koppers “pans” its confections to create its “dragees.”  As you may know, the term “dragees” comes from the French word ‘to drag.’  In the earliest days panned confections were made by taking a center of some sort – say an almond – dipping it in melted chocolate, and then putting the coated pieces in a burlap bag and dragging them it on the ground or swinging the bag around frenetically in the air, so the pieces would rub one against the other to get a more uniform shape and slight shine.  The technology then developed into placing the centers in rotating pans (originally spinning by foot-pedaling, and later by machine driven pans), where the chocolate was added to the product in the pan, and later the product was shined in another rotating pan.  So that’s the derivation of the terms “dragees” and “panning.”  Here’s how Koppers approaches its panning operation.  First, it selects the finest “centers”, from wherever they can be found around the world.  Over the past 70 years, Koppers has developed relationships with select sources form around the world – for example, coffee beans or fruits from select estate farms in the hinterland with the most fertile soil and best growing conditions to achieve the most flavorful beans or fruit.  Over the past 70 years, Koppers has cultivated proprietary and exclusive relationships with certain of these special growers all over the word.   Koppers then takes these premium centers, and prepares them specifically for the confection being made.  So if the center is a coffee bean, for example, Koppers carefully roasts the bean specifically and perfectly to compliment the specific chocolate or blends of chocolates being used for that particular confection.  Koppers unprecedented history and experience, they know just how to select and blend just the right chocolates to compliment the specific center being panned.  Then Koppers finishes each piece in a mirror-like confectioner’s shine that no other confectioner can achieve.  Kopper’s goal is to make each piece a work of art.

Kopper’s is a family owned and run business – brother and sister team Jeff and Leslye Alexander work closely with their amazingly energetic mother Lorie Alexander, al  of whom grew up in  the business.  Lorie employs her creative touch as a former talented painter and founder of the first women’s art gallery in the country.  The business began its productions in 1937, started by Jeff and Leslye’s grandfather Fred Stern (“Pappi” to them), a master European Chocolatier.  Pappi passed his Old World Knowledge expertise to Leslye and Jeff’s Dad, Harold Alexander, who added not only his Dutch/German influences but also a love for modern technology and incredible creativity and innovation.  The creativity of the company also is derived largely from Harold’s side of the family.  Harold’s grandfather Joseph Israels started The Hague School of Art in the Netherlands, and his Uncle Isaac Israels (the son of Joseph) is considered one of the premiere Dutch Impressionists.  So maybe it’s not such a surprise that all this creativity and aesthetic sensibility found its way into Kopper’s confections.  And even as we speak, Jeff’s 7 year old son Jonathan has just been cast as one of the child leads in this year’s production of the Nutcracker put on at Lincoln Center by the New York City Ballet.  As fascinating as this is, I fear I digress – so let’s get back to chocolate.  Harold Alexander is still remembered as one of the most dynamic and creative chocolatiers in the world, and he passed on this passion and expertise to his kids.  Leslye and Jeff were lucky enough to grow up with these influences, and learn every nuance from these masters.  There was nothing more fun them as kids the then going to the “factory” to experiment in the candy kitchens.  Kopper’s philosophy and approach is derived in large part from what they learned as kids from Pappi and Harold:  first and foremost, only use the highest quality ingredients, combine the very best of Old World sophistication and attention to detail with the most modern innovation and creativity – and make it all fun.  The Alexanders know they have done our job right when we see a customers try, say one of their new concoctions, Almond Jewels, and see the amazement in their eyes when the realize that beautiful finish on the piece is not a foil wrapping, but an incredible dazzling finish to the chocolate itself.

Perhaps another contributing factor to Koppers quality is how they run their company.  Their candy-makers are treated as part of their extended family.  Each candy-maker goes through years of apprenticeship, learning every aspect of the production, slowly always learning more and more advanced techniques.  In large part, Kopper’s production is unlike that of any other panner – it is far more akin to a master baker, who not only follows a formula, but its employees utilize all five senses (the taste, the touch and texture, the smell, and even the sound of the product rotating in the pans) to know when to go to the next stage, how much chocolate to add, etc.  The result is confections that are unparalleled in taste and appearance.  Beautifully sophisticated, but always new and fun.  For example our new Dazzle Confection line, Green Tea Collection, 72% Chocolates, Gourmet Malt Balls, Savouries line, etc. will literally knock your socks off.

Kopper’s has won numerous national and international awards.  For example, Koppers was the first confectioner to win the prestigious NASFT Chocolate of the Year award six times.   Koppers sells its award-wining wares wholesale to select distributors around the country.  Koppers also sells direct to retailers as well.  Koppers is always highly sought after as a source for custom confections, where we develop new products to your special needs.  Koppers does private label production for many of the most prestigious corporations, companies and stores.  Kopper’s products are available in bulk or a huge variety of the most beautiful gift packs.  Having Kopper’s products at your store reflects positively on the customer’s perception of your establishment, and promotes repeat business – and customers will make your store a destination.  I know of friends that will drive 20 miles to get Kopper’s Chocolate Gummi Bears of New York Espresso Mix.

As you can sense from the all above, Koppers takes great pride in what they do.  The Alexander family treats their production like they were preparing and serving a guest at their house.   Indeed, Koppers treats its customers as friends, guests, part of the Kopper’s family.  They love exchanging ideas.  The best thing about the company is that Koppers does not rest on its laurels, but works harder then anyone else to be the most creative panner in the world, creating the most revolutionary new panned confections for the future – while retaining the quality and attention to detail it has shown for all these years.  I recommend you try Kopper’s chocolates – I know you will simply love them.