Bread and Chocolate

Some companies that started during the Gold Rush still remain in business today! One such company is the Boudin Bakery, which began baking its famous sourdough bread in 1849. Special wild yeasts floating in the San Francisco air got into the bread batter and created a unique, sour taste.

Another company is Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, which began selling chocolate in 1852. Domingo Ghiradelli came to San Francisco from Italy so he could strike it rich as a gold miner. Although he failed at mining, Ghirardelli ended up making his fortune by selling chocolate to local residents instead.