Lake Lugano 's Museum of Chocolate
Learn About Switzerland’s Famous Chocolate in the Italian Lakes
Oct 22, 2009
The long journey that ends with delicious chocolate bars begins far from the Swiss Alps, in the cacao plantations of tropical Africa and South America. Christopher Columbus brought this luxury back from the new world, where the Mayas – and before them the Aztecs – had been enjoying it since as far back as 600 AD. The word “cocoa” dates back to the Olmecs, about 1000 B. C.
Italians First Welcomed Chocolate
Italy was the first to appreciate its pleasures, and its popularity spread from there, eventually becoming the rage throughout Europe. In the 1900s it had become so popular that with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, mass production began. France, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland are especially known for their chocolate, but it was the Swiss who invented milk chocolate, the staple of the modern candy bar.
Chocolate Grows in the Tropics
Teobroma cacao, the cocoa plant, grows only in a few very humid tropical countries, including Brazil, Togo, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Malaysia and Nigeria. It is from the seeds that cocoa powder and butter are derived. Visitors to the Alprose chocolate museum learn all this and more as they tour the exhibits and the factory itself.
Switzerland’s Largest Chocolate Producer
Alprose is one of the largest chocolate producers in Switzerland. They make three different varieties using the best ingredients for their high-quality milk chocolate. The museum explains not only how chocolate is produced, but offer a trip through the history of chocolate, with tools, equipment and historical exhibits that set the stage for the trip through the modern process of creating Alprose chocolates.
After watching the actual production – an experience for all the senses, since the aromas of chocolate pervade the entire factory – visitors can taste the various products, and of course, buy some to take home. Alprose produces chocolate bars and a variety of other chocolate specialties.
Switzerland’s Italian Ticino
The museum is located on Lake Lugano, in the Swiss Ticino region. This part of Switzerland lies south of the Alps, bordering the Italian Lakes district, and Lake Lugano lies in both Italy and Switzerland. These cantons of Switzerland are Italian speaking, and in most ways are more Italian than Swiss. But say “chocolate” here and anyone will understand.
Museum Opening Hours
Find the Museo del Cioccolato Alprose at Via Rompada 36 in Caslano, on the outskirts of Lugano. It is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The factory itself only operates Monday to Friday, Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 6-16, and includes a chocolate tasting.
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