Galle & Jessen
A Copenhagen confectioner founded in 1872, known for Ga-Jol licorice pastilles, among the first salty licorice in the Nordic countries, and for pålægschokolade.
- Founded
- 1872
- Founded by
- Edvard W. Galle, Hans Jessen
- Company
- Toms Group
Pictures © Toms Group, from tomsgroupheritage.com.
Why it is renowned
Vogue Scandinavia counts Galle & Jessen among the pioneers of Nordic licorice: its Ga-Jol pastilles were among the first salty licorice sold in the region, turning a cough-lozenge mix of licorice and ammonium chloride into candy.1 Ga-Jol is still one of the licorice brands found everywhere in Denmark.1 From the 1950s Ga-Jol travelled with Toms' other brands into ferry, border and airport shops.2
The story
Edvard W. Galle and Hans Jessen started the company in 1872 in a cellar at Store Kongensgade 6 in Copenhagen, moved to Toldbodgade 15 the next year, and opened a large factory at Vibenhus Runddel on Østerbro in 1884.3 The Ga-Jol pastilles followed in 1933.3 Toms bought the company in 1971.34
The Østerbro factory chimney carried the letters G&J and a clock, and from 1965 to 1999 the neon Ga-Jol man lit up the factory; he then moved to Vesterbro, where he shone until 2016.5 Besides Ga-Jol, the brand makes pålægschokolade, thin chocolate for bread, and Spunk sweets.3
Works
What to know it by
Sources
- Everything you need to know about Scandinavian liquorice, Vogue Scandinavia. voguescandinavia.com, read 28 September 2026.
- The International Journey, Toms Group Heritage. tomsgroupheritage.com, read 28 September 2026.
- Galle & Jessen, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org, read 29 September 2026.
- Ownership and Brands, Toms Group Heritage. tomsgroupheritage.com, read 28 September 2026.
- Marketing over the years, Toms Group Heritage. tomsgroupheritage.com, read 29 September 2026.
Last checked 2 October 2026, against the maker's own pages.