One of RITTER SPORT’S most important secrets of success is its high quality standards. The Ritter family has been committed to these since 1912. However, they do not begin with the production of chocolate in the chocolate factory, but long before that. They begin with the raw materials and ingredients. These are the foundations of great taste. Before a bar of RITTER SPORT chocolate can meet the high expectations placed on it, its ingredients must first meet RITTER SPORT’S quality standards. Because we are convinced that you can “taste fine quality with the best ingredients”, we search the whole world for them. We take as long as it takes until we have really found them.

It begins with the different varieties of cocoa. Instead of only using one variety, RITTER SPORT uses cocoa from six different farming regions. It uses 2 cocoas from Africa, organic cocoa from our CACAONICA project in Nicaragua, and fine cocoas from Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, and Madagascar. Finely determined blends of these cocoas result in 11 (13 including diet chocolates) proud chocolate masses, which have each been perfectly tailored to their ingredients.

These high standards continue with cocoa butter. Since European Union cocoa guidelines came into force in 2003, up to 5% of alternative vegetable fats may be used alongside cocoa butter in the production of chocolate. However, for quality reasons, we uncompromisingly stick to our tried and tested recipes (what we like to call our “purity law” for chocolate). Therefore, we continue to only use 100% pure cocoa in the production of our chocolate masses. This is quality you can taste.

Likewise, RITTER SPORT is just as strict with all its other raw materials, from carefully selected suppliers all over the world, as it is with these two basic ingredients.

Hazelnut kernels for RITTER SPORT’S nut varieties come from, for example, Turkey. Nuts of distinctly high quality flourish there. 23% of these whole, roasted, machine and hand selected hazelnuts go into, for example, a 100g bar of RITTER SPORT Whole Hazelnuts. The diameter of the hazelnut kernels must meet the precisely defined measurement of 11 – 13mm. This is the ideal diameter. Hazelnut kernels of this size are fully matured and possess a particularly intense nutty taste. A percentage of the hazelnut kernels are stored in their shells so that they remain crunchy and fresh for longer.

The additional costs that arise from this sophisticated process of selection and storage are made up by the hazelnuts’ extraordinarily delicious flavour.

Just like our hazelnuts, our almonds are also vacuum-sealed and packed in a protective atmosphere after roasting. This retains their freshness and roasted flavour. Two different kinds of almond are used, depending on their application. California almonds are used in RITTER SPORT Whole Almonds. Their skins are left on during roasting. As such, they possess a particularly delicious almondy flavour.

Mediterranean almonds are used to make the fine marzipan that goes into RITTER SPORT Marzipan. So that the fine taste and typical mouthfeel of our fine marzipan, made with 16% almonds, is retained, the marzipan mass is not liquefied and poured it into the chocolate. Instead, it is shaped as a solid mass. This preformed marzipan mass is then inserted whole into the already poured chocolate case.

The same goes for the shortbread biscuits in RITTER SPORT Butter Biscuit. They are baked with lots of extra good butter and are specially perforated to ensure that they snap perfectly. They are then inserted whole, with the help of specially developed technology, into the square.

The cornflakes in RITTER SPORT Cornflakes are also somewhat special. Made especially for us, they are only approximately 1cm big. This allows them to be perfectly distributed within the chocolate and means that each piece of chocolate possesses the perfect amount of crunch. These little delicacies are a good example of how outstanding taste not only depends on the ingredients, but also on ensuring that they are perfectly sized to the needs of each RITTER SPORT chocolate square.

This also applies to sultanas, which even have to live in a two class society. The small ones are used in RITTER SPORT Rum, whereas the larger ones are used in 100g Raisins & Hazelnuts and Rum Raisins Hazelnuts. The quality of Californian sultanas used by RITTER SPORT exceeds even the highest American standards (confectionery grade). They are, nevertheless, again carefully selected in Waldenbuch. Being thorough is worthwhile.

What would Rum Raisins Hazelnuts be without the best rum? Only Jamaican rum with an ester value 1.5 to 2 times higher than normal (i.e. rum with more flavourings) is used in Rum Raisins Hazelnuts and RITTER SPORT Rum Crispy Pralines. This strong, intense taste really is unique.

Likewise, only the best ingredients flow into RITTER SPORT Alpine Milk, such as 100% pure alpine milk powder, made from alpine dairy milk. Because it is so good, we like to use a lot of it, about 25% more than prescribed by food regulations concerning alpine milk chocolates.

Our chocolate made with yoghurt is second to none. Live yoghurt cultures are in the yoghurt powder we use. As for our Strawberry Yoghurt, we like to wallow in the stuff, along with loads of extra high quality freeze-dried strawberry pieces.

Exotic ingredients, such as coconut flakes from Sumatra, are just as strictly controlled by our quality criteria. The flakes are submitted to a special heat treatment that ensures that their delicious coconut flavour keeps right up the point you eat them. Careful auditing of all suppliers ensures that RITTER SPORT can really rely on them and the quality of their produce. It also pays them regular visits, performs quality inspections and on site checks at all the plantations all over the world.

Furthermore, raw materials arriving at Waldenbuch are checked by means of regular inspections. Any that do not meet our agreed upon standards are sent right back. The entire production process takes place under the supervision of computers. There are also regular checks made by our employees, who repeatedly, at specified intervals, examine samples of the final product. RITTER SPORT’S product development also contributes to the continuing improvement of quality. Here, we constantly try to improve existing recipes or create new chocolates.

Beyond that, further precautions are required to ensure that, after production, our chocolate reaches you in the same great quality it left us. The best example of this is our handy snap-open pack’s modern, specially sealed wrapping. It protects the product against possible environmental influences. Its impermeability prevents extraneous flavours, humidity (water vapour), light, oxygen, and physical stresses from impairing the chocolate’s quality. The wrapper’s flavour sealing abilities ensure impermeability that far exceeds that of classic folded wrappers for 100g long bars.

In contrast to the usual materials used in the chocolate market, RITTER SPORT has for many years used a single-material (polypropylene) packaging that is very environmentally friendly. This packaging material is, of course, up to 100% recyclable. For even more freshness, RITTER SPORT keeps a very low stock of finished goods. Because each variety is produced several times a week, we in Waldenbuch can quickly react to customer needs.

Our partnership with the market leader in perishable goods logistics makes it us possible for us to deliver our chocolates to Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries within 24 hours. This means you always get your favourite variety freshly delivered. All you have to do is buy it and enjoy it.