BROOKLYN, N.Y., U.S. — The journey to discover the best chocolate bars in the world today, the road points in two directions: to the lofty Alpine meadows of the Swiss Alps and the peak of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, New York.
Milkboy Swiss Chocolate CEO, Emanuel Schmerling sits in his Brooklyn office, busily filling orders, finessing packaging for upcoming flavors. Nearby, sit glittering trophies. These are testament to the skills and acumen that have earned Milkboy the food industry’s top accolades as 2018’s Best Chocolate in a surprise, full category sweep of, the sofi TM.
A low-key guy with a soft European accent, Schmerling hails from Zurich, a third-generation Swiss chocolate maker. Four years ago, he set his sights on what was happening across the pond in the booming industry of artisan bean-to-bar chocolate in the USA.
Could he create a traditional, Swiss-made chocolate with a modern twist that could compete?
He moved to Brooklyn, where he set up an office and warehouse to distribute the chocolate he was making in his Swiss factory. Taking a name used by an old dairy, Milkboy—the brand took on life as Schmerling hired a Swiss papercut artist to help him create a unique look that would best reflect the company’s origins with Alpine vistas, dancing villagers –capturing the traditional “parade of cows” that celebrates their ascent into the upper pasturelands. The Swiss flag sits in one corner.
The first flavors of Milkboy Swiss Chocolate hit the shelves of a handful of markets in Manhattan in 2015. One in particular immediately created a buzz —Milkboy 60% Dark Chocolate with essential Pine Tree Oil. The essence of the Alps in a fine chocolate bar.
Within months, the company caught the eye of retailers and distributors. “My goal was to bring my traditional style of Swiss chocolate and have people fall in love with our cows, our milk, our chocolate and our story.” stated Schmerling. Another surprise was the $4.99 price for such fine chocolate.
Milkboy began cropping up on both coasts, at World Market, Fairway, Central Market HEB, Gelson’s, on Amazon and many fine grocery and specialty stores.
Fast forward three years and Milkboy has been turning heads with its constant ability to create the WOW factor for its customers. The task of repeating its own success weighs heavily on the shoulders of the founder. “We are busy working on new things for January launch and the process of product development is exciting. Everything I try inspires me to believe the best is yet to come. It is possible for Milkboy to do it again. I know we will.” Schmerling smiled and continued, “Milkboy will continue to delight our followers with new flavors, convenience like our smaller Grab n Go sized collection and the best of Swiss Chocolate with a little dash of Brooklyn attitude thrown in.”
Milkboy Swiss Chocolate will be unveiling new dark chocolate bars as well as gift boxes at the Winter Fancy Food show at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. 2018 sofi TM winners Milkboy Swiss Alpine Milk Chocolate with Crunchy Caramel and Sea Salt, Milkboy Swiss White Chocolate with Blue Potato Chips and Sea Salt and Milkboy Swiss Alpine Milk Chocolate with Roasted Almonds will be on display along with the full lineup of artisan chocolate bars
