After spending time in Belgium and enjoying what I think is some of the best chocolate in the world, I was not expecting much from the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the museum and the chocolate and visited the museum twice to indulge in its treats. Founded by Hans Imhoff in 1993, the museum offers you a visual step by step guide on how they make Lindt chocolate.
There is a transparent chocolate factory. It starts with the path of the cocoa bean from the roasting machines to a wrapped chocolate bar. There is even a robot on the production line that will serve you a freshly made little bar of Lindt chocolate.
This is where magic is made!
The museum has an impressive chocolate fountain where you can grab a fresh taste of yummy chocolate. The fountain has the backdrop of the beautiful city and Europe’s longest and most important river, the Rhine.
It is a great place to take your kids. They can see how Lindt makes chocolate figures, such as Easter bunnies, elephants or Santa Clauses from liquid chocolate. They can also create a personalized chocolate bar from a combination of three types of chocolate and lots of ingredients.
There is also a historical section in the museum. It provides information on the first societies that experienced chocolate, the history of the chocolate drink, and the industrialization it took to manufacture large quantities of chocolate.
Visit the Chocolate Shop
While the museum is fantastic, my favorite part was enjoying delicious chocolate treats at the Chocolate Museum cafe, Chocolat Grand Café. They have beautiful cakes and chocolate pastries. You can enjoy them outside while sitting along the Rhine! I had a chocolate soufflé and a crepe with cherries and chocolate. Not on the same day of course! Do not forget to stop at the Chocolat – Premium Chocolaterie on your way out of the museum to buy freshly made chocolates, pastries, and gifts.
