Ricola Logo PNG
The Ricola logo is associated with a brand that upholds Swiss traditions in herbal medicine. It conveys a sense of naturalness, a leisurely pace, and a trust in nature, emphasizing the herbs’ origins and family recipes.
Ricola began in 1924, when Emil Richterich bought a small confectionery in Laufen, Switzerland, and renamed it Richterich & Compagnie. The business made sweets and chocolate for local buyers, then installed its first mechanical candy press in 1926. In 1940, Richterich created Kräuterzucker, a herbal sweet based on 13 Alpine plants, including sage, thyme, peppermint, elderflower, primrose, rose hips, and St. John’s wort. The patented recipe remained largely unchanged.
The product stayed mainly Swiss until the company needed a name suitable for foreign markets. In 1967, it registered Ricola, formed from Richterich & Compagnie Laufen. Expansion began during the 1970s, first into Germany and France, then the United States and Japan. In America, Ricola competed with Halls from Warner-Lambert, using its Alpine herb recipe rather than a mainly menthol-based identity.
Ricola became an early producer of sugar-free herbal sweets, widening its audience to people with diabetes and sugar-conscious buyers. In 1989, U.S. television advertising introduced the Alpine horn and the drawn-out “Riii-co-la!” call. The campaign linked the product with Swiss mountain farming and remained in use for years. By the 1990s, the brand was sold in more than 40 countries, and a sugar-free range appeared in 1993.
During the 2000s, Ricola added herbal teas and throat sprays. By 2024, its products reached more than 50 countries worldwide, while ownership remained with the Richterich family’s fourth generation.
Meaning and History
What is Ricola?
It is a Swiss brand of natural herbal lozenges crafted using an ancient family recipe incorporating 13 Alpine herbs. The products are distinguished by their natural ingredients and recognizable rectangular shape. The range includes various flavors such as honey, lemon, and cranberry. The company became famous for its original commercials featuring alpine shepherds.
1930 – 2021
The Ricola logo reflects the tradition of a company renowned for its herbal candies and drops, which feature Alpine herbs. Since its introduction in the 1930s, it has remained almost unchanged, emphasizing respect for its history.
The logo uses a cursive, rounded typeface, creating a friendly mood. The custom-developed font emphasizes individuality and a connection to the natural world.
The moss-green color symbolizes product naturalness, evoking Alpine meadows where herbs for the candies are gathered. It reinforces consumer trust associated with natural ingredients and health care.
The design combines rigor and smooth lines. Letters closely connect but remain highly legible.
2021 – today
Ricola’s 2021 logo update was subtle yet significant. The changes weren’t radical, but the modernization was clear.
The primary shift was a lighter font with thinner, more refined letters. Characters maintained their cursive style but became airier.
The company retained green but made it slightly brighter, making it perceived as fresh and lively and naturally associated with ingredients. The shade continues to reflect the brand’s core healing power, rooted in Alpine herbs.
Each character reflects Swiss tradition, tested by time, and modern values shared globally.
