History of

Almond Products

1930

Encounter with Almonds

Glico’s founder, EZAKI Ri-ichi, first encountered almonds in the United States in 1930. Since then, he had a desire to one day use these nutritious and delicious nuts in company products. This dream was realized a quarter of a century later as Almond Glico, and the company's reputation as “Get Glico for almonds” has grown to produce a variety of products including the Almond Koka almond milk drink sold today.

1955

Almond Glico

“Two flavors in one caramel,” Almond Glico has the savory taste of almonds, which was conceived over many years as an ingredient in confectionery, and whey for a milk-based flavor that has become familiar to Japanese people due to milk’s presence in school lunches. It also suited adult tastes and became the starting point for future almond products.

1957

“Paper Doll”: Glico’s First Proper TV Commercial

A song for the commercial was also produced by taking time-lapse photographs of small paper dolls frame by frame.

1958

Almond Chocolate

This was Glico’s first foray into the field of chocolate, a mainstream confectionery and one that Ri-ichi had been eying since before the war. While other companies were mainly selling chocolate bars, Glico's chocolate became a big hit by adding one almond in each chocolate, and was a driving force behind Glico's subsequent chocolate products.

1958

Newspaper Advertisement Placed at the Time of Launch

1962

Almond Chocolate Designed as the Monde Selection Medal

Almond Chocolate package features the received medal

1962

First Japanese Winner of Monde Selection (1st Prize in the Nuts Category)

1963

Sales Campaign to Wear Patches from Around the World

Glico produced about 500 different original patches.

1965

Almond Chocolate (Pull Top)

When the cut tape is broken, the package opens.

1966

Talking Myna Bird Sales Campaign

A myna bird toy with a built-in small battery-powered record player.

1969

Almond Chocolate (Fried)

Glico’s proprietary manufacturing process retains the delicious taste and aroma of almonds, and the package slides out.

1971

Almond Chocolate XO TV Commercial

Actor KONDO Masahiko was hired to perform in the commercial and the commercial song was sung by then newcomer MATSUZAKI Shigeru. It began the era of jingles with tie-ups to record companies.