TACOMA, Wash. — It’s known as the candy that travels, but the makers of Almond Roca make their home in Tacoma. And the candy production in their factory shows no signs of slowing down. The first thing you notice is a slow-motion waterfall of toffee creeping along a cooling machine to make sure it’s not too chewy and not too hard. “It is the way we create the toffee,” said Kathi Rennaker with Brown and Haley, the company behind Almond Roca. “It has a bit of an aeration in it so instead of being that harder brittle break, you have a toffee piece that cracks or crumbles in your mouth.” Almond Roca has been famous around the globe since World War II. The candy-maker struck a contract with the military and sent off tins of Almond Roca with troops overseas. It’s now sold in more than 35 countries, and every piece originates in Tacoma. “We like to say we take the words Tacoma, Washington more places than anyone else,” said Rennaker. “It’s printed on every piece of packaging and on every case that gets shipped out.” Harry Brown and J.C. Haley established their company in Tacoma more than 100 years ago, and came up with their Almond Roca creation in 1923. While the recipe and ingredients haven’t changed over the years, the process has. The company shut down for two months last year to install a new machine that can now create more than 3 million pieces of Almond Roca a day. As it cools, the long sheets of butter crunch toffee are cut into ribbons and then individual pieces, closely watched and inspected along the way. Those pieces are then drenched in milk chocolate before being covered in a cascade of chopped almonds. A few inspections later and they are wrapped in foil, and the last step is packaging before their travels around the world begin. Brown and Haley employs 130 workers to help create the candy in Tacoma, and those numbers double with seasonal help during their busiest time at Christmas and gearing up for the Chinese New Year.
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Not only have our popular Almond ROCA gift tins delighted the world since 1923, but it became the largest exported gift candy in the United States in the 1990s. Today, ROCA is exported to 65 countries worldwide. A new fan favorite, ROCA Bites, was introduced in the spring of 2020, and we continue to innovate new products with a focus on premium ingredients and sustainability.
TACOMA, Wash. — It’s known as the candy that travels, but the makers of Almond Roca make their home in Tacoma. And the candy production in their factory shows no signs of slowing down. The first thing you notice is a slow-motion waterfall of toffee creeping along a cooling machine to make sure it’s not too chewy and not too hard. “It is the way we create the toffee,” said Kathi Rennaker with Brown and Haley, the company behind Almond Roca. “It has a bit of an aeration in it so instead of being that harder brittle break, you have a toffee piece that cracks or crumbles in your mouth.” Almond Roca has been famous around the globe since World War II. The candy-maker struck a contract with the military and sent off tins of Almond Roca with troops overseas. It’s now sold in more than 35 countries, and every piece originates in Tacoma. “We like to say we take the words Tacoma, Washington more places than anyone else,” said Rennaker. “It’s printed on every piece of packaging and on every case that gets shipped out.” Harry Brown and J.C. Haley established their company in Tacoma more than 100 years ago, and came up with their Almond Roca creation in 1923. While the recipe and ingredients haven’t changed over the years, the process has. The company shut down for two months last year to install a new machine that can now create more than 3 million pieces of Almond Roca a day. As it cools, the long sheets of butter crunch toffee are cut into ribbons and then individual pieces, closely watched and inspected along the way. Those pieces are then drenched in milk chocolate before being covered in a cascade of chopped almonds. A few inspections later and they are wrapped in foil, and the last step is packaging before their travels around the world begin. Brown and Haley employs 130 workers to help create the candy in Tacoma, and those numbers double with seasonal help during their busiest time at Christmas and gearing up for the Chinese New Year.
By clicking Sign Up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Made in Washington: A rare glimpse inside the world’s only Almond Roca factory
FAQ
Is Almond Roca sold everywhere?
Is Almond Roca still made in Tacoma?
What brand is Almond Roca in the USA?
Has Almond Roca changed?
Who makes Almond Roca candy?
Almond Roca is a brand of chocolate-covered, hard toffee with a coating of ground almonds. It is similar to chocolate-covered English toffee. The candy is manufactured by the Brown & Haley Co. of Tacoma, Washington, founded in 1912 by Harry Brown and J.C. Haley.
Who invented Almond Roca?
It is similar to chocolate-covered English toffee. The candy is manufactured by the Brown & Haley Co. of Tacoma, Washington, founded in 1912 by Harry Brown and J.C. Haley. Almond Roca was invented in 1912 by Harry Brown and J. C. Haley, founders of Brown & Haley Company.
How long does Almond Roca last?
TO STORE: Almond Roca can be stored at room temperature, in a sealed container. You can store homemade Almond Roca at room temperature for at least 2 weeks. You can also refrigerate it and it will keep for up to 2 months.
Where can I buy Almond Roca?
Shop Target for a wide assortment of Almond Roca. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Expect More. Pay Less.