Chocolate with soul – Merz from Chur
Buying pre-made chocolate base? Unthinkable for Merz. At the small chocolatier on Chur's Bahnhofstrasse, now in its third generation, every creation is made entirely from scratch: from processing the cacao bean all the way to the finished chocolate Easter bunny. Each step is carried out with intention and a high standard of craftsmanship. The result is chocolate with an unmistakable character.

For production, Merz uses exclusively the finest ingredients sourced to organic and fair-trade standards, wherever possible regional or even local. The cacao beans are sourced directly from the Alto-Huayabamba Valley in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon basin, through their partner Choba Choba, ensuring full transparency over origin and farming conditions. Each year, the chocolatier processes around six tons of organic cacao beans and another six tons of organic cacao butter, all with the greatest care. As one of the first confectioneries in Europe, Merz works exclusively with chocolate it produces itself.

All the pleasure, none of the compromise.
From roasting to conching to tempering, everything happens under one roof. The «Winnower» separates the cacao beans from their shells before they are ground into a fine cacao mass. Various high-quality ingredients are added, sifted, and conched for 16 to 18 hours, meaning they are heated, moved, and aerated. This is how the delicate chocolate aroma comes to the forefront while tannins fade into the background. In the next step, tempering the crystalline chocolate mass gives it its characteristic shine and texture.

The Merz range spans from mild and creamy to bold and dark, creatinhg chocolates for every moment and every occasion. Those who would like to experience the chocolatier firsthand can dive deep into the world of chocolate through a guided tour. And those who avoid animal products don't have to miss out: Merz's dark chocolates (56% and 66%) are always vegan. Specially developed for the SWISS Easter bunnies, a vegan white chocolate for «decorating» was created using rice syrup powder instead of milk powder, and with an increased cacao butter content of 45%. In taste and production, this vegan white chocolate is every bit the equal of classic white chocolate.

Connoisseur's guide: How to enjoy Merz chocolate
Chocolate may not save the world, but it can make it a little sweeter. Chocolate isn't a necessity; it's a gift. A moment to be savored and appreciated. It's best enjoyed when given time: a small piece, slowly melting, as the day grows quieter outside. Perhaps alongside a coffee, a glass of wine, a good conversation, or a slice of Merzolino bread or Graubünden-style pear bread. The organic cultivation of cacao plants, combined with the fair sourcing of the beans, also matters for those who want to enjoy with a clear conscience. Because mindful enjoyment starts at the source.

To make that enjoyment complete, it's worth storing chocolate properly: in a dry place, away from light and in an odor-neutral environment, so it neither absorbs foreign aromas nor loses its full flavor. The delicate Easter bunnies from Merz can be enjoyed by our guests on long-haul flights from 3 to 6 April in SWISS Business and SWISS Premium Economy. On short-haul flights, they travel exclusively in SWISS Business. A small moment of indulgence high above the clouds, one that might just inspire a trip back to Chur, where many more chocolate creations are waiting to be discovered.

Easter specials at SWISS
During the Easter season, sweet little gestures bring a festive touch to travel with SWISS. On long-haul flights, guests in SWISS First can look forward to Easter egg pralinés from Sprüngli. In SWISS Business and SWISS Premium Economy, the vegan Easter bunnies from Merz are offered. Across all cabins, the iconic golden Lindt bunny replaces the classic SWISS chocolates. On short-haul flights, our Cabin Crew also distributes the Lindt bunnies in all cabins, with the vegan Merz Easter bunny additionally available in SWISS Business.

On the ground, guests at check-in counters receive almond bunnies in SWISS design, and on select flights, sweet little bunnies await at the baggage carousel upon arrival. In SWISS Lounges, Easter decorations and seasonal specialties such as braided bunny rolls and Easter pastries round out the experience. And for the youngest travelers, there's a special surprise too: a fluffy bracelet with a bunny motif replaces the plush airplane in the toy drawer.