Cologne: Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate
The Chocolate Factory and Museum
STORY BY VI HUGHES, 2019
It doesn't matter what else you do in Cologne, or Koen as it is called locally, if you LOVE chocolate - or even just LIKE it a little - you MUST visit the Chocolate Factory and Museum.
It is the Lindt chocolate factory - my favourite of all time chocolates and there are plenty of samples to enjoy along the way. If you take the Hop On, Hop Off bus then just jump off at Stop 7 and you are there.
While Lindt is heasdquartered in Switzerland, its operations in Cologne help Germany produce more chocolate than any other European country and also exports 17% of all the chocolate that travels the world.
As a museum it is amazing to discover how this was set up, how the chocolate is made from the cocoa beans to the finished product, and to see the moulds used in their many chocolates for Christmas and Easter. As you enter the museum you will be given your first sample of this delicious chocolate and you can also taste the soft, hot chocolate from the chocolate fountain as you are handed a wafer biscuit dipped in this delightful mixture.
As you move around the factory and see the many huge machines that make, mix and shape the Lindt chocolate you can also interact with a number of machines that will pick up and deliver another piece of chocolate off the production line and drop it into a tray for you.
It doesn't matter what else you do in Cologne, or Koen as it is called locally, if you LOVE chocolate - or even just LIKE it a little - you MUST visit the Chocolate Factory and Museum.
It is the Lindt chocolate factory - my favourite of all time chocolates and there are plenty of samples to enjoy along the way. If you take the Hop On, Hop Off bus then just jump off at Stop 7 and you are there.
While Lindt is heasdquartered in Switzerland, its operations in Cologne help Germany produce more chocolate than any other European country and also exports 17% of all the chocolate that travels the world.
As a museum it is amazing to discover how this was set up, how the chocolate is made from the cocoa beans to the finished product, and to see the moulds used in their many chocolates for Christmas and Easter. As you enter the museum you will be given your first sample of this delicious chocolate and you can also taste the soft, hot chocolate from the chocolate fountain as you are handed a wafer biscuit dipped in this delightful mixture.
As you move around the factory and see the many huge machines that make, mix and shape the Lindt chocolate you can also interact with a number of machines that will pick up and deliver another piece of chocolate off the production line and drop it into a tray for you.
The Restaurant
Don't leave without checking out the restaurant! Overlooking the river it is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the scenery PLUS indulge in more amazing chocolate.
The menu offers a range of delights, many containing chocolate of course. We had the waffles drizzled with chocolate and topped with cream and ice cream. And to drink: Hot chocolate with Baileys Irish cream topped with cream. Forget the diet and indulge, even if it is just this once. Trust me.....it's worth it.
Before you leave the Chocolate Museum I would suggest you take the stairs to the roof. The view over the river with the Cathedral and other major buildings is stunning and definitely a photo opportunity.
Don't leave without checking out the restaurant! Overlooking the river it is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the scenery PLUS indulge in more amazing chocolate.
The menu offers a range of delights, many containing chocolate of course. We had the waffles drizzled with chocolate and topped with cream and ice cream. And to drink: Hot chocolate with Baileys Irish cream topped with cream. Forget the diet and indulge, even if it is just this once. Trust me.....it's worth it.
Before you leave the Chocolate Museum I would suggest you take the stairs to the roof. The view over the river with the Cathedral and other major buildings is stunning and definitely a photo opportunity.