The Most Delicious Swiss Chocolate Makers

Swiss chocolate is the best! Well maybe for some, it depends on your taste.

So, if you want to annoy Swiss chauvinists, praise chocolate of Belgium or from France. No matter what your preference, chocolate is not simply chocolate. At least it is not to me!

The Chocolate History

Contrary to what some people may believe, Swiss chocolate is not an invention from Switzerland. Nobody would have associated chocolate with Switzerland in the 17th century. The Swiss confederates came into play long after the Mayans, Spaniards, French and Swedes.

Chocolate, as we know it, was first discovered in 600 AD when the Mayans cultivated the first cocoa plantations on the Yucatan peninsula. It was not until around 1528 that the Spaniards after the conquest of the Aztec Empire brought the first cocoa back to Europe. Of course, to make the drink palatable, plenty of honey and cane sugar were needed.

But then the Swiss created the milk chocolate – better yet the Alpine milk chocolate – delighted to tourists that the finest chocolate comes from Switzerland.

Later at the beginning of the 20th century, our country climbed to the chocolate world power. Before the First World War, we exported about three quarter of produced chocolate – half of the world production.

The Suchard firm produced 1876 the first famous military chocolate. I love it and for me it tastes better than many other on the market. Unfortunately, you cannot buy it in most places.

Back at that time, it was a society of tinkerers and smart business people. Milk chocolate needed less expensive cocoa and reduced the dependence of imports. With nuts and fruits in it, the calculation presented itself more favourable again.

Swiss Chocolate is not healthy

Swiss Chocolate is healthier then you may think and it makes you happy. It contains vitamins, minerals and different materials, which influences you positively. Sugar and cocoa butter lift the Serotonin level in the brain and the cocoa delivers stimulating caffeine. Phenylethylamin stimulates the senses and Exorphine in the lacto protein relieves pain.

Eating Swiss chocolate influences even the heart circulation system. However, only dark chocolate will help here because milk prevents antibodies into the blood stream.

In no other country are people eating more chocolate than in Switzerland. We are world champion with an annual consumption of about 12 kilograms.

The consumption is all year around, but the peak season is during spring and especially during Christmas. Therefore, if you eat Swiss chocolate in moderation you will not have to worry about your health or your weight.

Swiss Chocolate Brands

Lindt-Spruengli
There are many brands on the market such as Lindt, which is one of the better-known companies in Switzerland. If you like dark chocolate, the flavour of "Lindt excellence" gives you a very rich chocolate feeling. Then there are "Lindt Truffles", "Lindt Lindor", "Lindt Gold Bar" and many more. Mmm, I am getting hungry for delicious chocolate already.

Suchard
Philippe Suchard (1797 – 1884) was not only a major chocolate manufacturer, but was also involved in many other enterprises. He opened a chocolate factory in Serrières in 1826. His success came in 1842, when King Frederick William IV of Prussia ordered a load of chocolate. Today, Suchard belongs to the Kraft Foods group, which still has the factory in Bern.

Bernrain
"Chocolat Bernrain AG" was founded in 1932 and is one of the younger Swiss chocolate manufacturers. They are located in Kreuzlingen on Lake Constance and in Giubiasco in Ticino. Their products are without question comparable to other internationally recognised Swiss quality brands. Chocolate Bernain AG and Stella SA, their partner company were among the first in Switzerland to recognise the organic trend. I would say that they produce the best organic chocolate on the market.

Toblerone
The company Toblerone is known for their triangular Swiss chocolate with honey and almond nougat. Jean Tobler owned his own confectionery shop in Bern in 1868. He produced chocolate confectionary from products supplied by other manufacturers. In 1908, his son Theodor invented a unique chocolate bar, Toblerone, a special triangular shape and instantly recognisable logo that made it distinct.

Camille Bloch
Camille Bloch is one of the most visionary and creative chocolate manufactures in Switzerland. The company has devoted itself to supreme quality production of the finest chocolate specialties. I must admit, I very much like Camille Bloch liqueur chocolates such as Kirsch, Williams or Pear brandy. My wife often wonders why there are no leftovers after the tasting sessions.

Swiss Chocolate Tours

Much like wineries, tours of chocolate shops include tastings and exclusive souvenirs. The following factories are available for tours…

Cailler-Nestlé +41 26 921 5151
Are you a chocolate addict or just simply love chocolate? May I suggest that you visit the famous Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory in Broc in the Gruyère region? There is even a chocolate train heading to that town starting from Montreux on Lake Geneva.

This first-class excursion train operates every Wednesday from June to October. During July and August, an additional train leaves also on Mondays.

While there, an interactive tour presents you the secrets of chocolate manufacturing. The visit also traces the history of the factory from 1898 to the present.

Then you end your chocolate adventure with tastings of Cailler's sweet products. If you are still hungry, you have the possibility of taking these delicious products back home. Thanks to the factory shop, you can choose of the entire range of the Cailler brand. The opening hours are daily from April to October from 09:30 – 16:00 (beginning of the last visit).

Camille Bloch +41 32 945 12 00
Another Swiss chocolate company that offers factory tours is Camille Bloch. Besides some spectacular sights, you will also see the revelation of some of their production secrets. At the end of the tour, you have access to a delicious chocolate tasting.

The tours are only in the morning and for groups. So it is recommended to arrange well in advance.

Chocolat Frey +41 62 836 2626
The company located in Buchs - owned by Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain - offers tours from Monday to Thursday for groups consisting of 15 to 60 persons (minimum age is 14). Tours have to be arranged in advance and in writing.

Chocolat Alprose +41-91/611-8888
The chocolate factory Alprose is in Caslano in Canton Ticino. The company also operates a small chocolate museum featuring a chocolate shop and a brief tour of the factory. Visits can be arranged daily from 09:00 to 18:00. There are no factory tours on weekends.

Unfortunately one of the most delicious Swiss chocolate makers, Lindt/Spruengli +41-1/716-2233 does not offer factory tours due to their very strict hygiene regulations. However, they do have a museum in Kilchberg, near Zurich. It is open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.

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