Just like a dream, I was recently invited by Swiss Tourism, Maison de Voyage and Rock-On Holidays by Thomas Cook India to experience Switzerland in a unique way. While enough has been said and written about the romantic / family vacations of Switzerland our idea was to leave out all the famous / touristy activities and instead explore this country through a new lens i.e. through the eyes and activities of a single budget traveler. Hence our itinerary included all kinds of adventure sports, walks and many new experiences that people normally don’t associate with Switzerland. And I continue my tales from where I left it in my previous post.
After returning from Niederhorn, we met our host Annie from Interlaken Tourism who took us for a show that she promised would be an utter delight and a unique treat. And she was not wrong. We went to Cafe Schuh that is located in the heart of Interlaken and is one of the oldest cafes in Interlaken. They have full a service restaurant, a cafe and a patisserie, but what we were here for was their “Chocolate Show”. Every evening, sharp at 5pm, they organize a chocolate show wherein their chefs show you how chocolates are made and the secret behind the unique “melt in the mouth” taste of Swiss chocolates.
The chef then showed us the most important process that gives Swiss chocolate its unique taste i.e. Refining and Conching. The blended chocolate goes through a refining process involving heavy rollers, that grinds down and blends the particles and improves the texture. And then chocolate goes through conching. A
conch is a kind of container in which the chocolate mass is continually kneaded and further smoothed, the fractional heat produced by this process keeps the chocolate liquid. The length of time given to the conching process determines the final smoothness and quality of chocolate. And l
astly the chocolate is tempered where it
goes through a very precise cycle of heating and cooling to encourage the stable crystal formation needed for good tasty chocolate.
We then saw actual chocolate being made right in front of us which was not that difficult. This liquid chocolate was then filled into the moulds, then removed and the thin layer of chocolate was cooled. Then chocolate was filled in this mould again, a small beating by the side was given to remove the bubbles. This mould was then cooled and post that fresh mouth watering chocolate was removed from molds.
We made and sampled some nice chocolate truffles and a chocolate sandal too 🙂 But the best was for saved for the last. We all got a chocolate lollipop (with almond and hazelnut filling) that we dipped in heavenly liquid chocolate and topped with toppings of our choice such as pistachio, candies, etc and then ate it (like kids) all the way out. The best way to end any show, I must say 🙂 I am sure we all put on quite a few pounds that day, but I now know the basics of making chocolate and shall definitely try to recreate some of it at home with my choice of additives and toppings 🙂
Tips for the Trip –
1. The chocolate show takes place every day at 17:00 hrs sharp (not India time) and you can check their website for more information here. While we were all adults and loved the show, if you have kids then a visit here is mandatory 🙂
2. You can visit as a single person or as a group, but do not forget to call and reserve in advance.
3. A chocolate show ticket costs 14.80 CHF, and 8.00 CHF is the given as a voucher to purchase more of this awesome chocolate. Their can never be anything as too much chocolate, now can there? 🙂
Congrats on this trip! The chocolate show looks amazing. I’m afraid i may have drooled on my keyboard while looking at your photos. 🙂
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Then you can imagine what must be happening to us… What would I not do for a swim in that liquid chocolate…. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Isabella and Olivia and commented:
This is from one of my favorite travelblogs I recently discovered. Switzerland is just over the border and we still haven’t made it there (France just keeps getting in the way, hehe). This chocolatey blog post has just catapulted Switzerland into a must-see/do in the next 6 months. Girl trip anyone?
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Thanks a ton for the reblog and the kind words. I can understand what you mean by France getting in the way as it would get in mine too (had I been there) 🙂 I haven’t made it there yet but hope to soon 🙂
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Yum! Seeing a chocolatier at work (and maybe making some chocolate myself) is one of my bucket list items. All that chocolate first thing in the morning is making me so hungry!
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Lol… You have my full “drooly” recommendation for this bucket list item 🙂
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Definitely, a delicious trip!
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Thanks 🙂
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Wow! Now I need to grab some chocolates! 😀
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Lol… I am always in a mood for chocolates 🙂
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Wow, can’t believe you got to go to Switzerland! AND EAT CHOCOLATE! Nice post on the making of.
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Thanks… It was a fabulous experience and I definitely loved every minute of this chocolate”y” affair 🙂
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Oh my god wow! You are the luckiest girl in the World. Now I need chocolate!!
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Thanks 🙂 I felt like one too 🙂
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Wow I learnt a lot about chocolates 🙂
This is certainly something I need to try.
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Thanks and trying it is a must 🙂
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looks like heaven! Travel and chocolate – what more could you ask for>!
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So true 🙂
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Yummmmmmm
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🙂
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This may or may not be true…but I’ve heard that Swiss chocolate made in the Bernese Overlands, like your excellent experience at Schuh, has special ingredients that make one’s vision open to the activities of the gnomes in that region–did you have any experience like that? 🙂
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Lol.. I didn’t but I don’t mind visiting again to try and experience the same 😉
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Hey, super thanks for the kind words and the reblog…. You have made my day 🙂
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