Military chocolate (Switzerland) facts for kids

Swiss Military chocolate

Military chocolate is a special kind of chocolate made for the Swiss Army. It has different names in Switzerland's languages, like German: Militärschokolade (German) and French: chocolat militaire (French). This chocolate helps soldiers stay energized during their duties.

A Sweet History: Chocolate for Soldiers

Military chocolate Napolitains are small, thin squares of chocolate.

This image shows the ingredients listed on the back of the chocolate's packaging.

For a long time, military chocolate was called "emergency rations." This was a dark chocolate that came in two small white boxes. The boxes were joined together but could be easily split apart. Many companies made this chocolate, including Villars-Maitre-Chocolatier and Chocolat Stella.

This chocolate was a key part of the food given to Swiss soldiers. It was often given out with military biscuits. Kids loved getting this chocolate from soldiers, which made it quite famous.

Over time, new types of military chocolate appeared. One was a 50-gram milk chocolate bar in red packaging. This milk chocolate became very popular. People even started a rumor that only officers received it. Because of this, it was unofficially called "officer chocolate."

Today, the "officer chocolate" has replaced the old emergency rations. The original dark chocolate is no longer part of the official army food. However, some companies still make it for regular customers. Modern military chocolate sometimes includes crunchy bits like Rice Krispies or corn flakes.

Besides the bars, you can also find military chocolate in tiny squares called napolitains. The Swiss Army gets its chocolate from different companies. These companies are often UTZ Certified, meaning they follow good farming and business practices. Chocolat Stella and Chocolat Frey are some of the suppliers.

Protecting the "Swiss Army" Brand

Since 2013, there have been efforts to protect the "Swiss Army" brand name. This means that companies need special permission to use this name. In 2016, a court in Bern stopped a chocolate maker from using "Swiss Army" without a proper license. This rule helps make sure the brand is used correctly.