The chocolate world has a new epicentre

The chocolate world has a new epicentre – the Zotter chocolate factory. In the early 1990's the chef and confectioner, Josef Zotter, set himself the task of reinventing chocolate. He extended the chocolate horizon and set new trends in the composition of taste varieties that up to then seemed inconceivable: exquisite dark chocolate with lemon curd, milk chocolate filled with blood orange or cashew and pineapple. The “anything goes“ philosophy, of course, requires large amounts of experience, creativity and taste innovation. The charismatic chocolate coating hides unique layers of taste. Josef Zotter invented this layering method in order to give each chocolate its own complex and differentiated taste.

Zotter creates exceptional chocolate for discerning people. That is why the motto for nibbling is: “Moderation, because outstanding chocolate distinguishes itself through its intensity and not quantity.”

Zotter has been a partner of FAIRTRADE Austria since 2004. The basic raw materials such cocoa and cane sugar originate from FAIRTRADE because according to Josef Zotter, “As a cocoa processing operation we carry the responsibility for the living and working conditions of the cocoa farmers in third-world countries. FAIRTRADE creates opportunities for small farmers and plantation workers in producer countries. They are able to free themselves from fluctuating world market prices and establish their own independent existence in which child labour and environmental exploitation is no longer the norm.”

Zotter is also organic. The entire range is produced with ingredients from controlled organic cultivation. “For us it was important to not merely produce a single product line with a organic label, but to switch over the entire range,” Since Zotter has built on quality and regional culture right from the start, and refrained from the use of preservatives, artificial flavours and similar products from the chemical industry, it was a matter of resolutely pursuing his philosophy, which he sees as an investment in the future.

The consumer organisation Marktcheck operated by Greenpeace has backed Zotter and acknowledged its investment with an “excellent” in the area of: ecology – ingredients, transport & packaging. The producer also received the Trigos Prize in 2006, which is awarded to companies who demonstrate exceptional social responsibility. In Perugia, Italy, Josef Zotter was awarded the EUROCHOCOLATE Award 2006 as “Best Foreign Chocolate Producer“.

From the autumn of 2007, visitors to Zotter will be able to immerse themselves in the newly opened “Chocolate theatre”, an expedition into the Zotter world of chocolate. Also being built is Austria’s most compact and independent cocoa processing plant in which Josef Zotter bundles all the processing stages of chocolate production from roasting to conching. The last stop on this incredible tour is the Running Chocolate Bar, where you can try all of the wonderful creations for yourself