Andy Montoya
The Swiss chocolate brand Villars is known for its unique taste, which some might compare to cheese. This distinctive flavour is a result of the chocolate's production process and ingredients. The company, founded in 1901 by Wilhelm Kaiser, is located in an exceptional dairy basin in the Swiss Alps, where it collects Swiss milk known for its quality and purity. The milk comes from cows that feed on a variety of herbs and fresh grass, contributing to the unique taste and smoothness found in Villars chocolate. The marriage of this pure Swiss milk with selected cocoa beans and 100% Swiss sugar creates a flavour that has become synonymous with the Villars brand.
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What You'll Learn
The unique taste of Villars Swiss milk chocolate
Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Villars collects Swiss milk known for its exceptional quality and purity. The company sources milk from farms practicing traditional breeding methods, where cows feed on fresh grass and hay, preserving the environment and allowing the animals daily contact. This attention to the quality and variety of the cows' feed and their environment contributes to the unique taste and smoothness of the milk used in Villars chocolate.
Villars takes pride in its Swiss origins and favours raw materials and suppliers from Switzerland. The company uses 100% Swiss milk and sugar, with the sugar sourced from the nearby Aarberg sugar factory. By prioritising short supply chains, Villars ensures the freshness and quality of its ingredients.
The chocolate-making process at Villars is just as meticulous as its ingredient selection. The company roasts and grinds its own cocoa beans, carefully moulding and conching the chocolate to create its distinctive texture and flavour. This dedication to craftsmanship, combined with the finest Swiss ingredients, results in a chocolate that embodies the purity, naturalness, and authenticity of Switzerland.
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The history of Chocolat Villars
Chocolat Villars, or Villars Maître Chocolatier SA, is a Swiss chocolate company founded in 1901 by Wilhelm Kaiser in Villars-sur-Glâne, in the Canton of Fribourg. The company has been based in the same building in the city of Fribourg since 1901, which is considered a Swiss cultural heritage asset.
The company was first named Villars AG in 1904 and has been noted for its success in selling to tourists due to its unique products, including chocolates with a high percentage of nuts and almonds and 72% cocoa dark chocolate napolitains. Chocolat Villars was also the first employer in Switzerland to grant its employees two weeks of paid leave, back in 1915.
Villars has always been inspired by the artistic world, with its first association being with graphic designer and poster designer Martin Peikert, who designed the famous "Villars cow", the brand's first official emblem in 1928. The company employed around 1,200 people in the 1920s, and in 2021, celebrated its 120-year history with a mural on its building in Freiburg by international street artist Serge Nidegger.
Villars primarily produces milk chocolate bars, with a focus on using Swiss milk and sugar. The company has partnerships with local Swiss producers and uses milk from farms with animals from the best dairy breeds, contributing to the development of the Swiss milk industry. In addition, the company has a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, with initiatives such as the Swiss Triple Impact program.
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The artisanal process of making the chocolate
The artisanal process of making Villars Swiss Chocolate has been a well-kept tradition since 1901. The brand's commitment to preserving the traditions and techniques of Swiss chocolatiers is not just a matter of heritage but a way of life. This commitment to quality starts with the careful selection of the finest cocoa beans from regions across the globe. The meticulous sourcing process ensures that only superior ingredients are used in Villars' chocolate creations. The brand's chocolate artisans combine time-honoured recipes with modern techniques, blending tradition with innovation.
The artisanal process begins with the selection of the finest cocoa beans, which are then roasted to perfection. The roasted beans are then ground, and the resulting cocoa mass is mixed with other ingredients such as pure Swiss whole milk, sugar, and spices to create a unique flavour profile. The mixture is then conched to refine the texture and develop the flavour further. This step is crucial in ensuring the smooth and creamy texture that Villars chocolate is known for.
After conching, the chocolate is tempered to stabilize the cocoa butter crystals and give the chocolate a glossy shine. This step also ensures that the chocolate has a smooth melt and a pleasant mouthfeel. Once tempered, the chocolate is then moulded into various shapes and sizes, such as bars, truffles, or pralines. The moulding process is where the chocolate gets its elegant and distinctive shape.
Finally, the chocolate is carefully packaged to preserve its freshness and quality. Villars chocolate comes in elegant metal tin boxes, making them ideal for personal use or gifts for loved ones. The entire artisanal process, from roasting to moulding, is done under one roof in the Chocolat Villars factory in Villars-sur-Glâne, Fribourg. This traditional method of chocolate-making has been perpetuated by the Maîtres Chocolatiers of Villars for over a century.
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The ingredients and suppliers used
The ingredients used in Villars Swiss Chocolate are carefully selected to ensure quality and adhere to the traditional chocolate-making method. The company is committed to using 100% Swiss milk and other Swiss ingredients whenever possible, including whole milk, cream, and butter. The chocolate is made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, supporting sustainable cocoa farming practices. This allows chocolate lovers to indulge without guilt.
Villars sources its ingredients from local suppliers whenever possible. The company follows strict production measures and examination processes to ensure the quality of its ingredients and the consistency of its chocolate products.
Villars offers a range of chocolate varieties, including dark, milk, and white chocolate. The dark chocolate variety includes the Orange Black flavor, which combines Swiss dark chocolate with candied orange peels, resulting in an intensely fragrant and aromatic experience.
The milk chocolate offerings include the Milk Hazelnut flavor, which combines Swiss milk chocolate with gently roasted Roman hazelnuts, creating soft and warm notes. Another milk chocolate option is the Swiss Milk Almonds and Nougat, featuring crunchy whole almonds from California and fine nougat flakes from Montélimar.
The white chocolate selection includes the Pure White flavor, enhanced by a hint of vanilla from Madagascar, delivering a gentle and smooth taste experience. Another option is the White Coconut Almonds, combining whole almonds from California with caramelized grated coconut in creamy white Swiss chocolate for a sweet and exotic treat.
In addition to these core ingredients, Villars also incorporates various other ingredients in its chocolate creations, such as spices, Belgian speculoos, and Swiss butter to create unique and innovative flavors.
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The company's commitment to sustainability
Villars also values sustainable cocoa farming practices. They buy Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, supporting sustainable farming methods and environmental protection. The company further demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by obtaining the Swiss Milk Green label for its chocolate bars, indicating compliance with strict Swiss regulations and a guarantee of sustainable production and processing.
In addition to their ingredient sourcing practices, Villars is dedicated to reducing their environmental impact. They have adopted the Swiss Triple Impact program, a Swiss B-Lab initiative that helps companies become more resilient and agile in their operations. This program aligns with Villars' responsible and social business approach, reflecting their commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility.
Villars also takes pride in its Swiss origins and favours raw materials and suppliers from Switzerland. The company has always been committed to using 100% Swiss milk and sugar, as well as local packaging suppliers. This commitment to local sourcing not only supports the Swiss economy but also reduces the environmental impact of long transport distances.
Furthermore, Villars has launched an organic, Swiss, fair, and gourmet range of chocolates that are palm oil and soy lecithin-free. This range expansion showcases their dedication to innovation and sustainability by offering consumers environmentally and socially conscious choices.
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Frequently asked questions
The unique taste of Villars Swiss Chocolate comes from the Swiss milk used in its production. The milk is sourced from farms in the Pays de Vaud, Bern, Friborg, and Lucerne, where cows feed on fresh grass and hay. The traditional breeding methods and the quality and variety of herbs that the cows feed on contribute to the distinct taste of the milk, which is then reflected in the chocolate.
In addition to the Swiss milk, the taste of Villars Swiss Chocolate is influenced by the selection and roasting of cocoa beans, the conching and molding processes, and the use of 100% Swiss sugar. The company prioritizes the use of raw materials and suppliers from Switzerland to ensure the highest quality.
Villars Maître Chocolatier is committed to sustainable and responsible practices. They collect milk from local producers and partner with farms that practice traditional breeding methods, ensuring the animals have daily contact and feed on fresh grass and hay. This attention to detail and adherence to strict regulations guarantee the purity, smoothness, and unique taste of the Swiss milk used in their chocolate.
