Zotter - Austrian chocolate heaven

Almost everyone has heard of Zotter, which we think is the most special chocolatier of them all. Zotter is one of Austria''s chocolatiers, but one of the few that does business in a fun and honest way. It is renowned for its most distinctive chocolate combinations and for making the sweetest chocolates from the finest ingredients. All the chocolate is organically produced and the cocoa beans are Fairtrade certified, which is certainly worth mentioning.

The idea of Zotter Chocolate

At the beginning of the 1990s, the choice of chocolates on the chocolate market was more boring than varied. It was flooded with hazelnut and plain milk chocolates, and dark chocolate was even considered an unusual rarity. Josef Zotter, a confectioner by profession at the time, known for baking excellent cakes, decided to transfer his confectionery skills to chocolate making. He wanted to bring something new and fresh to the chocolate market, so he started selling handmade chocolates in a wide variety of combinations. He came up with the most delicious and fantastic creations, which were well received by the people. Josef Zotter opened his own production factory and created his true chocolate empire.

About Zotter Chocolates

Zotter chocolate creations are all made on the "Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar" principle, which means that only the finest cocoa beans are imported and then processed and used in chocolate production in Austria. All the chocolates are organically produced and the cocoa beans are Fairtrade certified. Zotter guarantees cocoa farmers in poorer countries a fair price for their cocoa, which is almost 100% higher than the market price for regular cocoa.

The story of each bar of chocolate starts with farmers who source raw cocoa from cocoa plantations in Latin America and then send it in bags to Bergl in Austria, where the Zotter chocolatiers process the raw cocoa into delicious chocolate. Zotter uses the finest cocoa from Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Once the cocoa has been processed into chocolate, the process of playing with flavours, full-bodied and new varieties of chocolates begins. They also make incredible fillings and chocolates for handmade chocolate bars. They also always make sure that the flavours and the quality of the chocolate itself are varied. When the chocolate product is ready, it still needs a beautifully designed exterior. These chocolates are always characterised by a unique and different shape. Andreas H. Gratze is responsible for the artistic design of the chocolates, creating a new picturesque and witty theme for each type of chocolate.

A tour of the Zotter Chocolate Factory

The chocolate factory also offers a fun, sweet and educational visit to chocolate production. This is probably also one of the few tours where you definitely don''t need to take a snack with you, as you will most likely eat your fill on this tour with the chocolate alone and your tummies will definitely not be left unsatisfied. Oh, and you won''t be able to stop licking your fingers!

You''ll get to taste the bitter taste of raw cocoa beans, dip your fingers in the liquid chocolate from the chocolate fountains, break off a piece of chocolate and serve yourself chocolate drinks. You can also try to find the most imaginative flavour of filled chocolates transported on a conveyor belt. Here you can let your imagination run wild and you won''t regret it.

You''ll also be able to wander through the glass-walled galleries of the chocolatier, where you''ll be able to follow the chocolate-making process with the help of an audio guide, which is also available in English. You can also expect to try their products at all times during your chocolate walk. There is also a "Cocoa Cinema" where you can watch a special chocolate video. You''ll travel to faraway Latin America, where you''ll meet the farmers who grow the cocoa for Zotter and the people involved in the creation of the chocolate you''re tasting.

The chocolate production site, where you can see how the chocolate you eat is made, is located in the middle of the Austrian countryside, in Bergl, not far from Graz. Tours are available every day from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 - 19:00, and you''ll pay around €9 for a ticket (children get a discount). But don''t worry, it''s an all-you-can-eat ticket after all :)

Zotter Chocolaterie impressed us with their excellent and delicious chocolates and exotic, interesting and varied flavour combinations. There''s something for everyone, no matter what your taste, whether you like a fruity bar or a dark chocolate with spices. Zotter has already developed over 300 different combinations and we believe we can expect many more to come. Until then, we have all the existing ones to try anyway:)