Learn about producing chocolate, have a look into the mysterious rooms of the factory or just have a sweet day! The chocolate factory Laima has developed Latvian chocolate traditions for over a hundred years. Now you can listen to experts, take a tour or a virtual walk through the factory to learn more about its history and chocolate production.

The road of Laima chocolate begins in Africa by the Gulf of Guinea, which is the homeland of the aromatic Forastero cocoa bean. After a thousand kilometre long journey across the sea to Latvia the cocoa beans are processed (roasted, chipped, grinded and tempered, etc.) by the method that was invented in the 19th century.

Chocolate masters have finished their work only when the aromatic and delicious Laima chocolate bar is packed. You can purchase it at any grocery or convenience store. But in order to see the production process, you should go to factory's Chocolate Room (22 Miera street), take special routes to learn about its history in the city environment, or go to the website www.laima.lv where you can learn about how chocolate and biscuits are made through a virtual tour.

Alongside many vintage chocolate wrappers, the Chocolate Room presents a 1924 documentary about the activities of the company, as well as one of the first dark chocolates made in Latvia in its original wrapping, and the company's export register from the 1930s with hand-written information on shipping chocolate to New York, Stockholm, Haifa and other cities. Since 2008 several historically exclusive exhibits have been added to the exposition, among them a unique, more than 100 years old chocolate doll - probably the oldest item of this kind in the region. Visitors have a chance to actively learn about chocolate production and its history in Latvia by watching the documentary and taking a tour of the factory premises. Be sure - you'll get comprehensive answers to any your question from a Laima chocolate expert. And the sweets won't be a just pleasure to your eyes, but also to your teeth.

The Cita Rīga (Different Riga) company in cooperation with Laima JSC has created three routes Sweet Riga to introduce the history of candy production in Riga, as well as interaction of the factory and the city without visiting the Laima premises. On the programme: various activities, cross-words and learning about sweets on the tour. In total, three routes are on the list: the Chocolate Route from Macedonia to the Kingdom of Sweets, the Biscuit Route from Avotu to Artilērijas streets, and the Caramel Route to learn what canned food and caramels have in common. Children are especially welcome. All participants will receive gifts from the Laima factory.

The Chocolate Room
Tickets: Ls 3
Reservation by phone: 67080732, e-mail: valentina.ozola@laima.lv
Open on Mo/Tu/We/Th from 9:00 to 12:00, two groups a day
Duration: 1 hour
www.laima.lv

Sweet Riga
Tickets (1 person): Ls 2
Reservation by phone: 26143120 (Inese), e-mail: inese@citariga.lv
www.izzini.lv un www.citariga.lv