Tuesday 11 December 2012

Removals to Switzerland - Your Guide to Swiss Chocolate and Famous Chocolatiers from Switzerland

If you are moving to Switzerland, the chances are you will already know that Switzerland is famous for its chocolate. In fact, the average Swiss eats more chocolate than any other nation - an incredible 23 lbs of chocolate a year compared to the UK average of 17 lbs per person.

Certainly, the Swiss chocolate industry is big business; it is worth an amazing 1.4 billion CHF with around 150,000 tonnes of chocolate produced in the country a year and just over half of this is exported.

For those of you who require removals to Switzerland, you are likely to develop a fondness of delicious Swiss chocolate, if you haven’t already. But, before you make your move abroad, you will need a removals company you can rely on.

Hamiltons Removals has nearly 20 years in the removals industry and offers UK, European and international removals, including removals to Switzerland for households or corporate organisations. We are dedicated to high standards of customer service and provide removals to Switzerland that are tailored to individual requirements and are designed to meet or exceed your expectations.

Here we will look at why Swiss chocolate is so well known, the history of chocolate, and famous names in chocolate.

Removals to Switzerland - click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Why is Swiss Chocolate so Famous?

Switzerland sets the benchmark in high quality chocolate. It makes some of the finest chocolate in the world and there are many famous Swiss chocolate producers including Neuchatel - named after a city in Switzerland of the same name - which produces excellent handmade chocolate.

One of the main reasons why Switzerland is a leading producer of chocolate is the quality of its ingredients. Swiss chocolate uses only the best quality cocoa beans imported from Africa as well as fresh milk from specially bred Swiss cows, which helps make the chocolate extra smooth.

Another reason why Swiss chocolate is so good is the techniques used to make it. Most Swiss products undergo a much longer rolling and folding process, called conching, which helps take the bitterness out of the chocolate granules to create a wonderful silky texture. In addition to this, dark chocolate may be aged for up to six months to help maximise the flavour.

The History of Swiss Chocolate

The origins of Swiss chocolate can be traced right back to the 17th century when the then mayor of Zurich, Heinrich Escher, visited Brussels in 1697 where he tried the latest drink, called chocolate.

However, it was not until the 19th century when chocolate started to be manufactured in Switzerland. Francois-Louis Cailler opened the first ever Swiss chocolate factory in 1819 and, after this, other chocolate factories sprang up. Years later Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate, first as a drink, then in bar form so the chocolate could be eaten.

Over the next few decades, Swiss chocolatiers perfected their techniques and Swiss chocolate built up a world-wide reputation for quality.

Famous Names in Chocolate

François-Louis Cailler (1796-1852) was the first Swiss chocolate producer after studying how to make chocolate in Italy. The first chocolate factory in Switzerland opened in Vevey, in 1819, and he opened a second factory 16 years later. The second factory was later sold to his son Julian and son-in-law Daniel Peter, another famous name in Swiss chocolate making and you can find more about him below.

Daniel Peter (1836 -1919) made milk chocolate by mixing cocoa with condensed milk, produced by his neighbour Henri Nestle. Milk chocolate became popular worldwide and now makes up as much as 80 per cent of the Swiss market.

Charles-Amedee Kohler (1790 - 1894) invented hazelnut chocolate as a drink in 1830 and opened a factory in Lausanne. He later merged with Peter and the Cailliers to form the firm of Peter, Cailler, Kohler. The company was bought by Nestlé a hundred years later, in 1929.

Rodolphe Lindt (1855 - 1909) Lindt produced the first ever fondant chocolate in 1879. He was an apprentice of his relative Kohler and set up his own chocolate factory in Berne in 1879.   

Philippe Suchard (1797-1884) is considered one of the most successful chocolatiers from Switzerland. Suchard opened his first chocolate factory in 1826 and gained international success after the King of Prussia, William IV, made a bulk order. Suchard’s reputation rose and he won prizes in the Great Exhibition in London. He was the first Swiss chocolatier to open a factory outside Switzerland, in Germany.

Jean Tobler (1830-1905) He was a trained confectioner and sold his own specialities and chocolate from other producers. In 1908, with his son Theodor, he developed the famous triangular chocolate, Toblerone, which is made up of a delicious combination of milk chocolate, almond nougat and honey.

About Hamiltons

Hamiltons offers high class removals to Switzerland and other European and world wide destinations as well as deliveries within the UK. We provide weekly removals to Switzerland, and also offer a special service so you can set your own collection and delivery dates.

Removals to Switzerland - click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

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