Ritter Sport – the square chocolate bar made to fit in football fans’ pockets – has come a long way since Clara and Alfred Ritter founded the first factory in Bad Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, in 1912.
As if worldwide distribution, 26 regular flavours and even a new organic line weren’t enough, the company is now displaying ambitions of Willie Wonka-esque proportions: Bunte Schokowelt, a colourful, four-storey shop, café and showroom in one, right in the touristy heart of Mitte.
The pillar of giant Ritter Sport bars at the entrance is enough to make anyone’s mouth water – luckily, the consumption begins almost immediately. Just head to the “Schokolateria” cafe or the “Schokolounge” restaurant to satisfy your cravings with chocolate lasagne (€6.90), chocolate mousse cake (€2.50) and a cup of marzipan hot chocolate (or any other Ritter Sport flavour of your choice; €3.40). Kids are shown how to make their own chocolates in special workshops (€8 for a 75-minute lesson), while the real addicts can binge on Ritter Sport labelled paraphernalia — from sport bags and t-shirts to office supplies.
Top all this off with an educational stroll through the mini-museum, where you’ll be enlightened about chocolate-making and the family business history. Bunte Schokowelt may not be everyone’s cup of heiße Schokolade, but it’s enough to satiate even the fussiest Ritter Sport fan.
