What makes Swiss chocolate among the best? We travelled there to find out
Biting into a chocolate-covered almond, I could immediately tell that something was different. The nut, covered in a generous layer of smooth, single-origin milk chocolate and cocoa powder, had an undeniable extra crunch.
Pausing mid-chew, I looked to Hannah Mayer, our guide at the Lucerne-based
family owned chocolate company Max Chocolatier
for an explanation. She responded with a small smile and a question: “What do you think gives it that crunch?”
After several guesses, she saved us with the response. “We caramelize them,” she said simply, going on to explain the process of roasting and caramelizing that is carried out in a copper cauldron for each batch of Grand Cru chocolate-covered truffles.
“We love the feeling of the crunch when you bite into it and you taste the almond and the caramel immediately,” Mayer says. “And then the chocolate melts in your mouth.”
The small-batch Swiss chocolatier’s shop, located in downtown Lucerne, features a workshop and factory where all of its products are made. The location also has a room where chocolate workshops take place.
During our visit, where we created our very own custom chocolate bars and carried out a tasting of uniquely flavoured creations such as Lucerne gin and bergamot-thyme, I searched for the answer to the question: What makes Swiss chocolate among the best?
The answer, it turns out, could be found closer to home.
Steve Hodge, chef and owner of West Vancouver’s
and author of the Chocolate All Day cookbook, is an expert on all things chocolate. Safe to say, he’s no stranger to chocolate options.
“Swiss chocolate has great fluidity when working with it,” says Hodge, who is also co-host of the TV show Great Chocolate Showdown. “It makes it easy to temper, it’s great for inclusions. When making mousses with the chocolate, it creates a smooth-creamy-texture-to-the-mouth feel.”
Swiss chocolate, the pastry professional notes, also comes in different percentages, which allows chocolatiers and bakers to customize the bitterness and sweetness to match the desired flavour profile they’re looking for.
“We use the chocolate for our Bon Bons,” Hodge explains. “We make a wide variety of different flavours, so whether we use milk, dark or white, it creates perfect ganaches.”
Using Felchlin Swiss chocolate sourced from suppliers in Vancouver — the same chocolate source used by Max Chocolatier — Hodge says Canadian chocolatiers are lucky in that its very easy to find “great quality chocolate” in Canada.
But there’s one catch.
“The only problem is with the increase in chocolate prices, we pay a premium for good chocolate because we are a small market compared to the U.S. and other countries,” Hodge explains.
Each year, about five million tonnes of cocoa are produced worldwide, according to the
Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa
. Most of the cocoa beans, which are dried and fermented before being roasted and ground into powdery cocoa, comes from Africa (74 per cent).
Chocolate is then made from the cocoa, mixed with a blend of additional ingredients such as milk powder and sugar. The exact mix of cocoa butter percentage, sugar and dairy differs by each chocolate supplier and chocolatier.
Europe is one of the leading processing locations for cocoa beans in the world, with some 55,000 tonnes of cocoa being processed each year in Switzerland.
Switzerland exported more than $1 billion worth of chocolate in 2023,
according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity
. The country is the ninth largest global exporter of chocolate.
While learning more about Swiss chocolate in Lucerne, another key element behind its popularity became clear: Passion.
“We want to keep the craftsmanship that Switzerland is so well-known for,” Mayer says. “We want to keep that alive.”
5 Vancouver chocolatiers to check out
Vancouver is a foodie city, which means there are a variety of options for pretty much every category of eats. And that includes chocolate. Here are five chocolatiers in and around the city to check out:
An award-winning chocolate and bakeshop located at 409 Industrial Ave., Beta5 is known for its artisanal, colourful chocolates featuring unique flavours.
Founded by Thomas Haas and his wife Lisa, it offers chocolates, pastries, sandwiches and more at their two locations in Kitsilano (2539 West Broadway) and in North Vancouver (128-998 Harbourside Dr.).
From cakes and pastries to vegan specialty chocolates, chocolatier Hodge and his team offer a selection of European-inspired treats at their location at 2409 Marine Dr. in West Vancouver.
An artisan chocolate shop located at 2029 West 41st Ave. in Kerrisdale, Gem was founded in 2011. The award-winning chocolates created by the team focus on using natural and local ingredients.
A mainstay for many chocolate fans, Purdy’s started as a small chocolate shop located at 915 Robson St. in downtown Vancouver in 1907. Today, the family owned company has more than 80 stores across Canada.
If you go: 5 recommended itinerary additions for a trip to Lucerne
Headed to Lucerne, Switzerland, sometime in the near future? Add these five destinations — from food to some seriously wonderful rest and relaxation — to your trip itinerary:
Where to stay:
Hotel Beau Séjour
— A boutique hotel with 27 cool, colourful rooms. Centrally located on a main bus route and easily walkable to the downtown area, this charming hotel is situated right across the street from Lake Lucerne. Visit
for more information.
Where to eat:
Burgerstube
— Offering homestyle fare in a heritage setting, this restaurant allows you to taste the flavours of Lucerne, both old and new. Located within the historic Hotel Wilden Mann Luzern, the restaurant features a charming traditional style. Visit
for more info.
Le Piaf
— Located steps from the busy Lucerne train station — and inside the Jean Nouvel-designed Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL) — Le Piaf offers fresh food in a laid-back atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite before a train ride or concert. Visit Lepiaf-luzern.ch for more info.
Max Chocolatier
— Whether you’re looking to buy handmade chocolates or to sign up for a Chocolate Tasting & Chocolate Bar Workshop, Max Chocolatier is a must-visit for true chocolate fans. The ability to create your very own custom chocolate bar is an absolute treat. For more info visit
Where to relax:
Bürgenstock Hotel Spa
— A visit to Bürgenstock spa provides some much-needed rest and relaxation in an extraordinary environment. Boasting unparalleled views of Lucerne from its infinity-edge pool, Burgenstock is a spa that you could get wrapped up in exploring its various rooms and environments for a full day — or more. Trust us when we say you don’t want to miss it. For more info visit
.
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Source: vancouversun.com