Handcrafted chocolate from a proud heritage
De Bonte Koe is a close-knit family business and, since 1992, a true haven for handcrafted chocolate in the Netherlands. Our mission is simple: to create the finest honest, handmade chocolate in the country while making a positive impact on people, animals and the environment.
We craft chocolate with both classic and surprising flavours, driven by meticulous craftsmanship and a deep love for the trade. Using only the best and most responsibly sourced ingredients, we create freshly made chocolate experiences at a true connoisseur’s level. Every piece is made by hand.
Delicious and responsibly.
A trusted name for over thirty years
De Bonte Koe is an artisanal family business, founded in 1992 by Carmel Klein Kelly and her brother-in-law Cees Klein. Our chocolate brand takes its name from the red-and-white cows that once grazed in the fields of Schiedam-Kethel, owned by Cees’ uncles, where he spent much of his childhood. These cows were fed with a by-product from Schiedam’s gin distilleries.
De Bonte Koe later established itself in one of those very distilleries, a place where the aromas of jenever slowly gave way to the scent of cocoa. More than thirty years on, De Bonte Koe has become a household name for handcrafted chocolate in the Netherlands. Today, the new generation has proudly taken up the baton.
The new generation
Connor and Amy Klein, Carmel’s children, could already be found on the production floor from a young age. Today, they jointly lead De Bonte Koe. Together, they form a perfectly balanced partnership.
With his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, Connor is responsible for production and day-to-day operations. Drawing on her technical background, Amy focuses on the business and strategic side of the company with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Environmental and social impact
De Bonte Koe takes responsibility when it comes to the environment, people and animals. For example, we purchase our organically certified cocoa beans from Gruppo Conacado, which negotiates a fair price for cocoa farmers, we work with people who are at a distance from the labor market, we use packaging materials responsibly and we support Senegalese Surfkids in pursuing their dreams.
Our handmade chocolate
Diet & Allergens
Our chocolates, bouchées and truffles are still made by hand according to the original recipe. For the chocolate itself, we use organically certified cocoa beans that we mix with organic cane sugar and organic cow or rice milk. Depending on the shape or application, the chocolate is then poured by hand into molds, shaped, dipped or sprayed into a bonbon, letter, bar or one of our other delicious chocolate products.
De Bonte Koe is also your place if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies. For example all of our chocolate — with the exception of the sugar-free bars — is gluten-free. We also have vegan, lactose-free, sugar-free, and alcohol-free chocolate in our assortiment. Our chocolate may always contain traces of nuts and peanuts. We don't use gelatin in any product, so all the alcohol free products are halal.
Our team
We have a permanent team of employees that is expanded with additional people depending on the season. Our central production employs six chocolatiers who have mastered chocolate making down to the last detail. Every day they create chocolate experiences at gourmet level with the tastiest honest ingredients. Outside of production, about thirty people work at De Bonte Koe. These brigners of happiness help customers in the store, with webshop orders or work in the support team. Together we ensure that everyone in Rotterdam and the surrounding area can continue to enjoy chocolate.