LLAMASODA

An Attraction In Itself

Made using the same recipe since its creation in 1863, the Heidelberger Studentenkuß (translated as Student Kiss) is as famous as the Heidelberg Castle or the Philosophenweg (translated to Philosopher’s Walk in English) for tourists, and if you’re on a tour group, your guide will most likely take you there.

Not only is it purchased as a gift for one’s object (well, objects for the casanovas) of affection, but it has also been presented to politicians and celebrities such as the former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and former president of the United States, Bill Clinton, among many other equally renowned individuals as a token of friendship.

Messages of Young Love Hidden Within a Delectable Treat

Corny title aside, back in the 19th century (according to the web, at least), a young woman from a well-to-do background would only be allowed to go out in public when accompanied by her governess (an outdated term for a woman serving as a private tutor for children from families of higher social standing), which meant that contact with people, especially ones of the opposite sex, was under heavy supervision. This also sadly meant that her hopes of having a relationship with that dark and handsome young man who would take long walks to the Philosophenweg and write angsty, existential poetry were most often crushed.

Fridolin Knösel, chocolatier and owner of the Cafe Knösel, Heidelberg’s oldest cafe in Haspelgasse, which still runs to this day (though the Knösel family do not own it anymore), took notice of the plight of the many young patrons that frequented his popular establishment and came up with quite a clever idea: the creation of a confection that could be enjoyed on its own, but if someone was to give one to another, it would take on a whole different meaning.

Being gifted a Heidelberger Studentenkuß meant that the giver had romantic feelings towards the recipient (if the picture depicting a man and a woman who are moments away from sharing a kiss wasn’t obvious enough), and most often there would be a written message that would be hidden in the packaging. The young men and women could now share their feelings with one another and live out their Romeo and Juliet-esque forbidden romance right under the noses of the unsuspecting governesses. The confection would eventually become an iconic treat that would be loved by locals and tourists alike for years to come.

Quite a sweet ending for an equally sweet piece of history, don’t you think?

Tasting the Studentenkuß

Despite having no one to gift the Studentenkuß (spare me your pity, please), I was definitely not going to miss out on tasting it, so I went ahead and bought myself two boxes because I knew one would not be enough and that there was a foolish hope that there might be someone that I could give it to.

Since it comes in a red rectangular box (there are other packaging variants as well, but I believe this version is the most popular), one would think that the Studentenkuß was one decently-sized chunky chocolate bar, but surprise, surprise, the actual chocolate is shaped like discs! Each of them (they come in six, at least in a rectangular box) is individually wrapped in gold-colored foil and has the famous black and white logo at the top. The simple design and presentation of the packaging of both the chocolate and the box, alongside the lovely scarlet, really gives off an elegant, vintage feel.

It has a very light aroma of dark chocolate and hints of nuttiness from the filling, which you don’t often find with dark chocolate as the aroma is usually stronger.

Taste-wise, it is delectable and sweet, especially compared to most dark chocolates (I would even say it tastes almost like milk chocolate). The filling, which contains praline and nougat, is an absolute delight (especially the light, crunchy bits) and avoids a major nitpick of mine when it comes to filling in chocolates: being very sweet to the point where it overpowers the chocolate that encases it. There is a sense of harmony between the dark chocolate and the filling, which makes the Studentenkuß so great, as well as its decadent yet light flavor that makes it hard not to stop with just one.

Final Thoughts

The Heidelberger Studentenkuß makes for a great souvenir or gift, especially for Valentine’s Day (and hey, even if you get rejected, you can have the delicious chocolate for yourself). Despite being a tad pricey, I think it is very much worth the purchase, especially when doing so can help preserve a piece of history that future generations can enjoy, and like I said before, it is very delicious!

Heidelberger Studentenkuss

• Haspelgasse 16, 69117 Heidelberg
• 11:00AM – 6:00PM Thursday to Saturday (Although their Facebook page says 11:00AM – 7:00PM Tuesdays to Sundays)
• +49622122345
• knoesel@t-online.de
• Facebook, heidelbergerstudentenkuss.de