Chocolate Fun at the Schoggi Erlebnis Läderach in Bilten
If you’re ever looking for a great trip out at a chocolate factory why not visit the Läderach “Schoggi Erlebnis” (Chocolate Experience) in Bilten. About 45 minutes or so drive from Zurich in the direction of Chur, Läderach’s chocolate factory and chocolate shop is a great destination for bored children in the school holidays and a good excursion on a rainy day.
The trip can easily be undertaken in a morning or an afternoon and the tour itself lasts just around 30 minutes. It’s self-guided so you go at your own pace, although group tours can be arranged if booked in advance. There are also a number of short but informative video clips about chocolate which can be viewed in the “cinema” area of the tour.
The weather in Zurich was rotten last week when we had a visitor and it had rained constantly for two whole days. After pursuing all the usual rainy day ideas (see here for more suggestions) we decided to hit the road and visit the Läderach chocolate factory in Bilten.
The factory is situated on the edge of an industrial estate – you simply follow the Bilten turn off from the A3 motorway to get there. From the moment you step through the door your mood instantly changes as you really can smell the chocolate!
On the ground floor there is the chocolate factory shop and the tour takes place upstairs. For CHF 10 per person you purchase a ticket to the “Schoggi Erlebinis” and are given a souvenir china spoon. Keep hold of your ticket as is worth CHF 5 towards chocolate purchases in the shop below at the end of the tour!
As you walk along the corridors the the story of chocolate unfolds in words, pictures and video (in both English and German).
You get to learn all about the various processes involved in creating chocolate from the moment the cocoa bean is plucked from tree to when it is transformed into a chocolate delicacy, packaged and ready to eat.
As you follow the path along you then come to the best bit – the tasting.
This is where your china spoon comes in handy as there are vats of melted white, milk and dark chocolate as well bitter, unsweetened cocoa mass and cocoa nibs to taste.
You turn the taps to release the liquid chocolate onto your spoon to taste and you can really experience the difference in each type of chocolate.
Another stand explains the ingredients that make up the different types of chocolate.
As you look out of the glass windows you can see the production of chocolate taking place in the factory below.
The Läderach Chocolate Experience
Address: Grabenstrasse 6, 8865 Bilten.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 10am – 6pm and Saturday from 9am – 5pm.
Prices correct at time of going to press but for the latest information please visit the Läderach Website here.
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