Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

While studying abroad in Vienna, Austria, lucky for me - and now you as well! - I visited the Zotter Chocolate Factory in Riegersburg. In likely the tastiest tour of my lifetime, I got to sample everything in the factory from cocoa bean to the drinking chocolate served on the smallest cable car in the world! With a policy of transparency, sustainability and innovation, this is a company that I can definitely stand behind. Zotter is now the only chocolate manufacturer in Europe who produces chocolate starting from the bean exclusively in organic and fair trade.
Tours of the chocolate factory even end at the on-site "edible zoo" where organic animals and plants that are enjoyed at the farm restaurant can be loved and respected during their lifetime. Boasting novel flavours like balsamic orange and artistic packaging with greetings like "For the Dearest Mum of the World", a visit to this site guarantees a gift suitable for every member of the family.

When giving a gift, my first thought is always "how can I make this personalized?" And it would appear that I have found my new favourite item to personalize - chocolate bars! The Mi-Xing bars from Zotter are a little over 2" x 7". The best part is that Zotter ships to all around the world!

Follow this link to start Mi-Xing! Mi-Xing bar & co

Step 1

There are many options for Mi-Xing, you will get to choose between creating your own bars, minis, chocolate drinks, or kids item.

Step 2

The rest of these instructions follow the choice of a Mi-Xing bar. Now you will get to choose your shape! For more information, read the inscription on the image below.

Step 3

Next you will pick your chocolate! I have never tasted fruit flavoured chocolate that was as vibrant and delicious as Zotter's, so if you like fruity chocolate, give theirs a try! Don't forget you can pick more than one if you like. The Caramel chocolate was a crowd favourite on my tour, but realistically every variation of Zotter's chocolate that I tried on the tour was better than any store-bought brand I have ever experienced. Shown below is Coconut and Dark 70%.

Step 4

Once you have selected your base chocolate, you have the option to add a filling to your bar. Since it's coming from Austria, I would recommend trying the Pumpkin Seed Nougat, as pumpkin seed products are a specialty from the region of Styria in southern Austria.

Step 5

Here's where all the fun happens! Now you will select your toppings. From 'Bird's eye' Chili, to Rose petals, to Ginseng chocolate hearts, there are so many creative options here to personalize your bar for whoever you are giving it to.

Step 6

Here you can see my finished bar. I've mixed a Coconut and Dark 70% chocolate base, added Cardamom, Lavender, Ginseng chocolate hearts and Caramel hazelnuts. Mmmmm!

Step 7

Quite pleasingly, this has only cost me a total of 6.40 euro, approximately $9.00 CAD! Of course you can go ahead and add more than 7 toppings which will increase the price accordingly. Shipping is the only costly aspect of this gift however. In countries outside of Europe, the cost is 20.00 euro or $28.29 CAD, therefore, if you decide to order any delicious chocolate gifts from Zotter, it makes sense to cross quite a few people off your list at once, or get together with a friend to order personalized chocolate gifts together and split the cost of shipping!