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Chocolate in Zurich, Switzerland


There are a few things that are unanimous with Switzerland; watches, cheese and of course, chocolate.  Swiss chocolate has earned an international reputation for its excellent quality and taste.

In 1528, Cortez was the first to bring cocoa to Spain along with the equipment necessary for production of the delicious chocolate drink.  The drinking of chocolate became a huge trend among the aristocracy and it started to spread throughout Europe.  The production of chocolate in Switzerland goes back to the 17th Century but most major chocolate factories opened in the 19th Century.  Francois Callier was the pioneer of the Swiss milk chocolate production, with the brand going back to 1819.  Sprugli followed in 1845 and Tobler in 1899.  In 1879 Rudolf Lindt opened his  chocolate factory in Berne and was the first to produce solid chocolate.  Jean Tobler, inspired by the shape of Matterhorn, started to produce a unique triangular bar with almonds, nougat and honey.

Most of Swiss chocolate comes from cocoa from Africa and India.  Swiss chocolate is exported to around 150 countries and an average person in Switzerland consumes about 24 lbs of chocolate annually.  I am so far behind!

My favorite brands are: Laderach, Ovomaltine and Lackerli Huus, and a few treats from those brands are always in my bags.

During this trip I enjoyed some delicious chocolate from the following places:


This Teuscher shop was right around the corner from our hotel.  The store was beautifully decorated and filled with chocolates, truffles, jellies, and chocolate dipped fruit, all very appealingly packaged.

This company originated over 70 years ago in a small town in the Swiss Alps.
















 Max Chocolatier
This definitely had the feel of a high end store, like a Prada of chocolate.  The little chocolate boutique was also very close to our hotel (I picked the right hotel!), and it smelled like heaven.

  


 Each piece of chocolate looked like it was made with great care.  Their focus is on natural ingredients and seasonal flavors.




 Each product had samples next to it for tasting.












 I bought this big box of assorted chocolates



 and a box of cranberry-chili chocolates for my son who raved about them.





 Sprungli, with many locations throughout Switzerland is a very popular brand, selling chocolate, pastry, cookies, etc.

























 Being a huge fan of the French macaron, I got this little beauties for research, of course.
These are called Luxemburgerli and they resemble macaron in appearance but not in taste.  The cookie part is similar but the filling is a bit heavier and creamy.  The macaron filling is jelly, caramel or ganache.  The Luxemburgerli are also rounder while the macaron is more flat.  I have to say that I am a macaron gal, these were good but very sweet. 





Teuscher
Storchengasse 9

Max Chocolatier
Schlusselgasse 12

Sprungli
many locations

Joanna
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