Swiss Chocolate

When we think of Switzerland, we also think of chocolate. Today, "Swiss Chocolate" is one of the country's most important export products. With 12kg of chocolate per capita per year, Switzerland is the champion in chocolate consumption. But behind the sweet dream lies a bitter story that is not yet over.

"Xocolatl", a common beverage of the aztecs, was brought to Europe by colonial Spain in the 16th century. Swiss chocolate industries invented milk- and melting chocolate and thus became famous worldwide. By the end of 1800 e.g. Sprüngli (today Lindt & Sprüngli), Callier and Tobler (known for Toblerone) were well-known chocolate maufacteurs.

Chocolate consumption increased and with it the interest in cocoa. The only way to fulfil the great demand was slave labour in the cultivation areas in South America. Today it's no longer called "slave labour" officially, but the working conditions and child labour on the cocoa (and sugar) plantations are still very poor. In addition, there is illegal deforestation of the rainforest to create more space for cultivation.

As we can see, "war" is not only to be understood as physical fighting (as during the colonial conquests), but also as oppression and contempt for (human) rights in favour of a superior power.

2023: Ordinary chocolate selection in a Swiss supermarket. (Chiara Regazzoni)