Miranda Ingram, British writer
By Carola Meusel
USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
Those who cannot resist the sweet and delicate taste of chocolate or are simply looking for a savory gift, may want to head to Tübingen for the International Chocolate Festival, or “chocolART,” the largest chocolate festival in Germany.
The festival, which runs throughout downtown Tübingen, features more than 100 skilled chocolatiers from Europe, South America and Africa who offer a variety of fine chocolates.
During the festival, visitors will find chocolate creations that differ from products typically offered in a supermarket.
At the event there will be over one hundred vendors from over 20 countries.
Tübingen’s historic half-timbered houses are festively illuminated during the International Chocolate Festival, or “chocolART,” the largest chocolate festival in Germany. This year’s festival will run Dec. 1-6 throughout Tübingen’s downtown area. Chocoholics may be happy to hear that chocolates can be sampled throughout the event.
Visitors can experience chocolate in many ways throughout the festival, since the chocolatiers play with exotic ingredients and offer various chocolate and praline compositions that make for a different taste.
Another unique treat is chocolate beer, a dark beer with a hint of cocoa. This year, chocolate beer from Belgium and France will be featured at the event.
The chocolate festival also features chocolate massages, hands-on classes on making pralines and truffles, chocolate art, chocolate menus in restaurants, chocolate tastings, chocolate exhibitions, a seminar on chocolate and wine, and a class on painting with cocoa.
A highlight is the “chocolateRoom” at Tübingen’s market square. Chocolatiers will create chocolate art in two transparent tents. While watching the “Maitre Chocolatiers” work on their pieces of chocolate art, visitors can breathe in the sweet smell of cocoa. Better still, all of the chocolates can be sampled on the spot.
“It’s not that chocolates are a substitute for love. Love is a substitute for chocolate.”
Miranda Ingram, British writer
The “Tübinger Schokoschaumkuss” (chocolate foam kiss), or, “Chocolino,” is a chocolate-coated marshmallow treat also produced at the chocolate room. Chocolatiers typically add honey to the creamy filing and the chocolate shell is made of 60 percent cocoa.
The festival also aims to promote fair trade and fair trade chocolates and cocoa products can be found throughout the festival.
Children can also create their own chocolate at the Ritter Sport “KinderSchokoWerkstatt” located at Holzmarkt.
In addition to the festival, Tübingen has another historical connection to the world of chocolate.
According to Tübingen’s city archives, the famous Schwarzwälderkirschtorte, or Black Forest cake, was invented in 1930 in Tübingen by the confectioner Erwin Hildenbrand.
This year, a treat was created especially for the chocolate festival: a Black Forest cake made out of high-quality ingredients served in a small glass. A chocolate praline with a creamy Black Forest cake filling will also be available. The cake and praline can be found at the “Tübinger Zuckerbäcker” at Marktplatz.
The festival is open Dec. 1-6, 2015, Tuesday from 1-8 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
According to the event organizer, the chocolate festival typically is very crowded on weekends. Therefore patrons are advised to travel to Tübingen with public transportation.
For more information, visit www.chocolart.de.