Cailler Chocolate then Aefligen - 27 April 2024

27.04 - Cailler chocolate and Aefligen

Well - another day of two halves! More later about the more disappointing part of the day!

Slept well last night - peaceful and maybe clean mountain air helps us sleep well - had also done another 11,000 steps. 

Research last night led us going to Maison Cailler today - a chocolate experience. 

Tintin drove the 20 minutes or so to Broc and there was free parking.  

Online it said you had to book, but there was lots of availability - so just pitched up and bought our tickets. I’d asked for one adult and one senior - don’t know whether I should feel sad - we paid CHF 28 - the price for two seniors!

Cailler is a Swiss chocolate brand and production factory based in Broc. It was founded in Vevey by François-Louis Cailler in 1819 and remained independent until the early 20th century, when it associated with other producers. Shortly before, Cailler opened its main factory at Broc in 1898. The company was finally bought by Nestlé in 1929 and became a brand. Cailler is the oldest chocolate brand still in existence in Switzerland.

Back in 1818 when he opened his first grocery store, chocolate was considered a tonic rather than a delicacy, and transport of raw ingredients slow and difficult. 

In 1861, Cailler’s son-in-law, Daniel Peter started his own independent chocolate company, and after a few decades invented milk chocolate. In 1898 they had 76 workers, and by 1901 up to 630. The numbers peaked in 1930 at 1,768. 

They use fresh milk, instead of powered milk. Apparently chocolate connoisseurs can tell whether the chocolate was made with milk from summer or winter season due to subtle flavour differences - I need more practice!

It’s a very slick operation. You’re in groups of 20 - information is provided in 12 different languages via cell-like phone gadget. You get taken through 8 different dark rooms, the commentary starts automatically as you move through. It talked about the history of how the cocoa bean became so popular. 

It then opens out into another room. There is a miniature model made showing Maison Cailler. It took 100 hours to make and has 200 kg of chocolate. 

There is so much information - you just hold up your audio thingy where indicated, and more information is given - from where they source the cocoa beans, to every part of the production. 

You can also smell, feel and taste some ingredients. The hazelnuts come from mainly Turkey - delicious - and the almonds were mainly from California - again, just so nice. You get the impression that only high quality ingredients are used. 

You can then see some chocolates going through the machines and see people piping chocolate into moulds to make various animals. 

In another room there are chocolates to try! You’re told not to take any away with you, but doesn’t restrict how many you eat! We were supposed to look, listen (to the snap), smell, feel and then taste - oops - too quick!

In the tasting room - we tried at least ten different chocolates. Think they might have been a bit rich for Tintin - needs more stamina and perseverance to keep up with his wife 😉

We then sat in the cinema - and saw them making some of the miniature model. Very comfy seats!

Then it was shopping time - would be rude not too! In comparison with supermarkets - not bad value. My little stash was CHF 20. Plus, we both really liked the taste of the chocolate - definitely has subtle different flavours, and really smooth. They must know what they’re doing - still around after 200 years!

Of all chocolate - I’m not really a fan of Nestlé stuff - glad this brand sticks to its traditions despite being bought out by Nestlé. 

The trains apparently pick you up from Montreux. 

I was in my element and really enjoyed my couple of hours there. Also meant that we didn’t need any lunch!

Then, as we walked back and saw Dave, a few expletives may have been uttered. He was leaking engine coolant again. So strange, absolutely fine yesterday. I wonder if the temperature has anything to do with it - was 3° this morning, yet this afternoon was over 25°. 

It was either call for roadside assistance - and it’s Saturday - or Tintin to the rescue. He put Dave up on chocks, and ended up using a couple of cable ties to secure the pipe. We also added another 7 litres of just water. Should we or shouldn’t we risk the motorway?

Drove back through the town, and filled up with diesel. Not an easy task as you can see from the photos! Thought it would be cheaper than the motorway - ha - couldn’t use my EasyFX card, so used Tintin’s Starling card - which then charged in £ - so about £2 per litre!

Was about an hour on the motorway. Came off at one point, and did top up with a little more water. Was really busy going the other way. They use bright orange paint to re-designate where to drive when there are road works - and we’ve been through them each and every day!

Made it to the service station, and serviced Dave for free - good result!

From there, we just wanted a quick easy park-up - which was another 15 minutes away. We’re just a few metres away from the Emme River. 

After we’d cooled down a bit, went for a walk alongside the river - all very pleasant. 

Tintin had wondered whether we should return home or not - I guess it depends on how this repair holds up. Also, the forecast is for much warmer weather, so the water we’ve added won’t freeze without all the correct engine coolant. And Mum’s little G-tech vacuum packed up days ago - means old school dust pan and brush! But - the fridge is working 😊 Watch this space!

I was going to fly Dean the drone yesterday after our walk but it started raining, however, had a quick fly this morning. The reason why there haven’t been any drone photos in Switzerland is that there are so many restrictions/ nofly zones, don’t want to end up in jail! Here’s a few photos from this morning, not spectacular but does show the beauty of the valley.