Bern and the Chocolate Factory

Project for a differently good chocolate: Let's use Bern's past to make the chocolate market more transparent!

Until then, a visit to the chocolate factory in the Bernese Jura is recommended.

Bern and the Chocolate Factory

Project for a differently good chocolate: Let's use Bern's past to make the chocolate market more transparent!

Until then, a visit to the chocolate factory in the Bernese Jura is recommended.
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differently good chocolate

Overview

In order to create an access to the Bernese chocolate history for the public, the tours in Chocobern were developed in 2019. In the concept, it was assumed that the tours would end in a museum in the future and that the last part of the plot could be shortened accordingly. Apparently, the planned chocolate world can not be realized. Therefore, the Magdas-Project-II was launched in 2021.

On the one hand, research confirms that Bern was a chocolate capital. On the other hand, it is thanks to the research that restored and functional oldtimer equipment was found, which has a potential for differentiation, because it must be operated as a craft.

The city of Bern, which is well served by public transport, does not need another world of experiences. Therefore, the focus of this project is on the chocolate handcraft. In a studio, the public is to be shown how chocolate is made - ideally from the bean to the bar.

The historical impact of Bern in the development of chocolate should be used to build a transparent supply chain that guarantees Fairtrade. In the chocolate topic is also a potential to create jobs for people for whom there is no longer a place in the labor market.
differently good chocolate

Multifunction

The equipment found dates back to the time when chocolate making was still mostly a handcraft. Thanks to this fundus, the production can be designed openly. The transparency could also be used for a small handcraft museum.
differently good chocolate

Multifunction

The equipment found dates back to the time when chocolate making was still mostly a handcraft. Thanks to this fundus, the production can be designed openly. The transparency could also be used for a small handcraft museum.
Function 1

Chocolate Production

In the consumer's interest, both options aim for a transparent supply chain to guarantee Fairtrade. The following options for production would be considered as the main use:
Function 1

Chocolate Production

In the consumer's interest, both options aim for a transparent supply chain to guarantee Fairtrade. The following options for production would be considered as the main use:
  • Option 1
    In an atelier, a museum chocolate would be made from couverture (semi-finished product) purchased from a Fairtrade producer in the cocoa's country of origin.
  • Option 2
    Bean-to-bar production is the equivalent of a microbrewery. From bean to bar means direct purchase of the cocoa in the country of origin. It was in Bern that the conching machine was invented and conching defined. Thus, the bean-to-bar production would immediately fulfill a historical museum function as well. To avoid odor emissions, the roasting process could also take place at another location.
  • Option 1
    In an atelier, a museum chocolate would be made from couverture (semi-finished product) purchased from a Fairtrade producer in the cocoa's country of origin.
  • Option 2
    Bean-to-bar production is the equivalent of a microbrewery. From bean to bar means direct purchase of the cocoa in the country of origin. It was in Bern that the conching machine was invented and conching defined. Thus, the bean-to-bar production would immediately fulfill a historical museum function as well. To avoid odor emissions, the roasting process could also take place at another location.
Function 2

Craft Museum

Thanks to the multifunction, the project can be realized in a small space. For secondary use, a museum is planned around the production for the following topics:
Function 2

Craft Museum

Thanks to the multifunction, the project can be realized in a small space. For secondary use, a museum is planned around the production for the following topics:
  • Chocolate Handcraft
    As shown in the picture at the bottom of this page, conching still required a great deal of handwork. Thanks to this fact, it is possible to clearly distinguish from usual world of experience.

    The following functions of a craft museum can be developed from the production forms mentioned under function 1:

    Option 1: In a chocolate atelier, chocolate molding is taught.

    Option 2: Teaching the manufacturing process from the cacao bean to the chocolate bar would be possible in a bean-to-bar production.
  • Chocolate History
    The pioneering work in Bern for the Swiss chocolate history can be presented around the craft. By varying with the main subjects, it requires less space for the exhibitions. Incidentally, one of the found devices with year of construction 1911 provably served in the production of at least one of the well-known Bernese chocolate factories - possibly it even refined for a second local chocolate maker before that.
  • Chocolate Handcraft
    As shown in the picture at the bottom of this page, conching still required a great deal of handwork. Thanks to this fact, it is possible to clearly distinguish from usual world of experience.

    The following functions of a craft museum can be developed from the production forms mentioned under function 1:

    Option 1: In a chocolate atelier, chocolate molding is taught.

    Option 2: Teaching the manufacturing process from the cacao bean to the chocolate bar would be possible in a bean-to-bar production.
  • Chocolate History
    The pioneering work in Bern for the Swiss chocolate history can be presented around the craft. By varying with the main subjects, it requires less space for the exhibitions. Incidentally, one of the found devices with year of construction 1911 provably served in the production of at least one of the well-known Bernese chocolate factories - possibly it even refined for a second local chocolate maker before that.
~
differently good chocolate

Operation

Establishment of a foundation as the owner of the equipment in order to be able to guarantee the necessary independency. Establishment of the organization, which is managed in the spirit of Social Entrepreneurship. Thanks to the foundation form, the position of the employees and suppliers can be strengthened in relation to other stakeholders, even in a competitive market.
differently good chocolate

Operation

Establishment of a foundation as the owner of the equipment in order to be able to guarantee the necessary independency. Establishment of the organization, which is managed in the spirit of Social Entrepreneurship. Thanks to the foundation form, the position of the employees and suppliers can be strengthened in relation to other stakeholders, even in a competitive market.
  • Fairtrade
    By transparently mapping the distribution of income along the supply chain, it is possible not only to create added value for producers in the countries of origin, but also to generate an advantage for the customer, because he can decide whether the distribution is really fair from his point of view.
  • Social oriented workplaces
    The Wander family was convinced of the positive effect of cocoa on the human spirit. As a person who was affected, I am also convinced of this! Therefore, I see in this project a huge potential that interesting jobs can be created to help people outside the labor market. In order to create a professional environment for this, the cooperation with an organization specialized in this field is mandatory.
  • Fairtrade
    By transparently mapping the distribution of income along the supply chain, it is possible not only to create added value for producers in the countries of origin, but also to generate an advantage for the customer, because he can decide whether the distribution is really fair from his point of view.
  • Social oriented workplaces
    The Wander family was convinced of the positive effect of cocoa on the human spirit. As a person who was affected, I am also convinced of this! Therefore, I see in this project a huge potential that interesting jobs can be created to help people outside the labor market. In order to create a professional environment for this, the cooperation with an organization specialized in this field is mandatory.
~
differently good chocolate

WANTED

In the case of the cities of Freiburg and Fribourg, the desire for freedom was at the forefront. This was also the case when Bern was founded. Accordingly, independent people are wanted to make the chocolate market more transparent and fair. Please get in touch via the contact form.
differently good chocolate

WANTED

In the case of the cities of Freiburg and Fribourg, the desire for freedom was at the forefront. This was also the case when Bern was founded. Accordingly, independent people are wanted to make the chocolate market more transparent and fair. Please get in touch via the contact form.
The picture shows an employee of a chocolate factory. At that time, chocolate making still required a lot of manual labor.
An employee and a conching machine of the Amor chocolate factory
(Image of the State Archive of the Canton of Bern / FN Nydegger 755)
The picture shows an employee in a chocolate production plant. At that time, making chocolate still required a lot of handwork.
An employee and a conching machine of the Amor chocolate factory (Image of the State Archive of the Canton of Bern / FN Nydegger 755)
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