10 Things to Do in Cologne Chocolate Museum (Kölner Schokoladenmuseum)
Cologne, Germany is home to the world-renowned Cologne Chocolate Museum, known as the Kölner Schokoladenmuseum. This museum is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting the city. Here are ten of the best things to do when visiting the museum.
1. Tour the Museum: The museum is divided into two main sections, the history of chocolate and the production of chocolate. The history section covers the origins of chocolate and its journey from Mesoamerica to Europe, while the production section takes visitors through the entire process of making chocolate from bean to bar.
2. Enjoy a Chocolate Tasting: The museum offers a variety of chocolate tastings for visitors to sample, from milk to dark to white chocolates. They also offer a selection of chocolate-infused beverages, such as hot chocolate and chocolate beer.
3. Learn About Chocolate Making: The museum offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the process of making chocolate, from harvesting the cocoa beans to tempering and molding the chocolate.
4. Visit the Chocolate Factory: The museum has a replica of a 19th-century chocolate factory, complete with machinery and tools used to make chocolate. Visitors can learn about the different stages of chocolate production and how the chocolate was made in the past.
5. Take a Chocolate Cooking Class: The museum offers a variety of hands-on classes for visitors to learn how to make their own chocolate creations. From truffles to chocolate bars, visitors can learn how to make delicious treats to take home.
6. Check Out the Chocolate Art Gallery: The museum has a gallery of chocolate art, featuring sculptures and paintings made entirely of chocolate. Visitors can admire the intricate pieces and learn how they were made.
7. Shop for Chocolate: The museum has a shop where visitors can purchase a variety of chocolate products, from bars to truffles to gourmet gifts.
8. Visit the Chocolate Lab: The museum has a chocolate lab where visitors can learn about the science of chocolate. The lab offers demonstrations and experiments to help visitors understand the science behind chocolate.
9. Attend a Chocolate Festival: The museum hosts an annual chocolate festival in the summer, where visitors can sample a variety of chocolate-based treats and learn about the history of chocolate.
10. Take a Chocolate Tour: The museum offers a variety of guided tours that take visitors through the history and production of chocolate. The tours also include stops at some of the city’s best chocolate shops.