A chocolate tour of Geneva

In 1819, Francois-Louis Cailler opened the world’s first mechanised chocolate production facility in Corsier-sur-Vevey above Lake Geneva. Almost 60 years later, in 1875, Cailler’s son-in-law Daniel Peter combined chocolate with his neighbour Henri Nestle’s condensed milk, and after numerous attempts discovered the perfect mix — a combination that would henceforth link Switzerland to chocolate. Then, in 1897, Rodolphe Lindt capped off Switzerland’s affaire de coeur with chocolate by creating a process called conching, a method of further refining chocolate to create the silky, melt-in-the-mouth chocolates as synonymous with Switzerland as its precision watches. Switzerland is home to 16 large chocolate manufacturers, and hundreds of artisan chocolatiers. Swiss chocolates have rightly earned an international reputation for exceptional quality, and today the country produces more than 200,000 tonnes of chocolate every year, of which more than 70 per cent is sold abroad. But there is nothing quite like sampling the ambrosial delights where they are made, and with this in mind the innovative Genevese has developed a Choco Pass to some of their fair city’s finest chocolatiers. For a sweet-filled meander around the handsome lakeside city of Geneva, the Choco Pass entitles holders to sample a tasting plate showcasing each chocolatier’s specialities at seven of the city’s finest chocolate shops. They include Du Rhone Chocolatier, who have been making chocolates since 1875. One of Du Rhone’s bestselling treats are mocca glaces — coffee-infused chocolates — and their lovely chocolatey-smelling shop also features truffles, pralines, pure cocoa spread, and hot chocolate. La Bonbonniere is another Geneva institution, producing a delicious chocs, crafted by La Bonbonniere’s master chocolatiers for more than a century. Not only is Bonbonniere celebrated for its dazzling array of handmade chocolates, including ganache and pralines, the Hot Chocolate Bar features more than 30 different hot chocolates to try, from hot orange chocolate to chocolate Grand Marnier. Awarded multiple prizes including the Grand Prix du Chocolat Artisanal, artisan chocolatier Canonica has been making chocolates since 1948. Canonica’s classic creations include truffles, rochers, orangettes, paves, ganaches and pralines. Pioneers of premium organic chocolate, Geneva’s Sweetzerland craft handmade creations including raspberry truffles and cashew nut petals, while pastry cook and chocolatier Guillaume Bichet’s chocolates feature a modern spin on traditional chocs. Bichet’s delectable offerings include black ganache with lime and basil chocolates; ganache and Darjeeling tea chocolates, and his legendary princess almonds — roasted, caramelised almonds covered with premium chocolate. According to Chocosuisse, the association of Swiss chocolate manufactures, good-quality chocolate should melt on the tongue, and you should be able to savour the well-orchestrated, subtle and delicate flavour of the chocolate — which you no doubt will while tasting your way around Geneva. fact file + Geneva Choco passes are around $52 for adults and $10 for children, and are available at geneve.com or at Geneva’s Tourist Information Centre at Cornavin Geneva Train Station. + The passes give access to each of the chocolatiers listed at geneve.com, and include a tasting plate at each partner chocolate shop. + Around $3.40 from every Choco Pass is donated to My Climate “Cause We Care” for climate protection and sustainable tourism in Switzerland; more at myclimate.org. + For more information on travelling in Switzerland, visit myswitzerland.com