Tokyo (SCCIJ) – The Swiss confectionery manufacturer Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli, better known by its brand name Lindt, has opened a chocolate museum in Switzerland. Situated in Kilchberg close to Zurich, the “Lindt Home of Chocolate” is set to become an exciting destination for up to 350,000 chocolate fans annually from Switzerland and abroad.
The new Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg, Switzerland (© Lindt & Sprüngli/Keystone/Alexandra Wey)
For experts and chocolate fans
The Lindt Home of Chocolate features a 1,500 square meter exhibition taking visitors on a journey into the world of chocolate providing glimpes into the secrets of its production. Visitors complete the tour in the tasting room where they can sample numerous masterpieces. They can also have a glimpse of the research plant with an open-view production line.
Besides, the museum houses the world’s largest Lindt Chocolate Shop, Switzerland’s very first Lindt Café, as well as the Chocolateria for courses in chocolate making. The Basel architects Christ & Gantenbein integrated the multi-functional building into its existing surroundings in Kilchberg. It forms a striking counterpart to the historic Lindt & Sprüngli factory that dates back to 1899.
Research facility
After more than three years of planning and preparation, the integrated pilot plant research facility started its operation at the beginning of 2020. The facility combines maximum flexibility and functionality with the highest quality implementation and is available to chocolate producers and research institutes as well as universities.
Here, professionals can develop recipes on a small scale and simulate the optimization of production sequences and process technologies – factors that are important to the chocolate industry overall. The facility also provides the infrastructure for sector-specific further education and advanced training of specialists.
The Lindt Home of Chocolate includes not only a research facility with show production but also a 1,500 square meter exhibition (© Lindt & Sprüngli)
Grand inauguration
A few days before the opening, Lindt inaugurated the new destination of Switzerland’s chocolate industry with a grand ceremony. Together with Swiss Federal Council Ueli Maurer and Lindt brand ambassador Roger Federer, President of the Lindt Chocolate Competence Foundation Ernst Tanner unveiled the highlight of the Lindt Home of Chocolate – the over 9-meter high chocolate fountain.
The museum aims to continue the work of Switzerland’s chocolate pioneers and further strengthen its leading role in the sector of the food industry. “It will play an important role in safeguarding Switzerland’s position as a chocolate country in the long-term, as well as contribute to the transfer of knowledge across the entire industry,” explained Ernst Tanner.
Swiss Federal Council Ueli Maurer emphasized in his speech: “Chocolate is a part of our national identity and the chocolate industry is an extremely important economic sector of our country. For this reason, fostering local chocolate expertise is synonymous with boosting Switzerland as an economic location.” The charitable Lindt Chocolate Competence Foundation invested more than 100 million Swiss francs into the complex.
Text: Material of Lindt edited by SCCIJ
