Growing up I remember drinking Ovaltine, the chocolate/malt powder you mix with milk. Then, it seem to disappear. What the heck? Back in 1904 a Swiss company (Wander AG) near Bern started making Ovomaltine. Pretty soon Ovomaltine could be found around the world. However, in the USA it was called Ovaltine. Wander was sold to Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis in 1967 and in 2002 it was sold again to Associated British Foods.
In 2007 food giant Nestle acquired the rights to Ovaltine in the USA. That's when Ovaltine seemingly slid from the public eye. Why? Food giant Nestle didn't want Ovaltine taking market share from Nesquik, its own chocolate powder drink. You can still buy Ovaltine online at Walmart and Amazon.
So, it's a Saturday morning and I'm in Neuenegg (population 5,000) checking out the factory/headquarters of Ovomaltine. The factory dates back to 1927.
I heard there's a factory store for Ovomaltine products and was disappointed to find it closed. Ovomaltine ranks up there with the likes of Coca-Cola as one of the most recognizable brands in Switzerland. The brand extension is unbelievable. There are Ovomaltine cookies, Ovomaltine muesli bars, Ovomaltine ice cream bars (very good!), Ovomaltine drink, various Ovomaltine chocolate bars, Ovolmaltine crunchy cream spread for bread (kind of like peanut butter). Still waiting for them to come out with Ovomaltine-flavored potato chips.
After leaving Neuenegg I mapped out some country roads to cycle through. Every village has a church and I've seen thousands of 'em. This one is unusual as there's a lookout platform below the clock (click on the photo to enlarge). Is it to watch for approaching enemies or maybe it's a wine tasting bar.
This is a new covered bridge.
The sign says I can buy fresh milk but, doesn't that cow's head look more like a dog's head?
Here's a colorful water fountain in Schwarzenburg, population 6,800.
This butcher shop in Schwarzenburg doesn't want to lose customers. If the shop is closed one can buy meat & cheeses via the vending machine.
Schwarzenburg Castle date back to the 16th century.
View of one of the many narrow valleys I cycled through.
View of medieval ramparts (walls) in Fribourg's old town area. Note the covered bridge over the river. I've posted previous blog posts on Fribourg.
In the distance you can see Fribourg's spiffy new bridge spanning the river gorge.
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