Ritter Sport Marzipan
August 15, 2007 by Heather R.
Filed under Chocolate Links, Chocolate Products, Chocolate Review
What’s up with the Ritter Sport marzipan sold in the US? Several years ago one of my brothers went to Germany and when he came back he had a surprise for me: a fresh bar of Ritter Sport marzipan. I remember it being creamy and fresh and I really had to pace myself to not eat the whole thing in one sitting.
I’ve seen the bars at the grocery store since but was reluctant to try them — I had a feeling they wouldn’t be as good. I buckled and tried one a couple of years ago and wasn’t terribly impressed, and last week I decided to pick up another one and it was just… nasty. The chocolate was extremely waxy and the marzipan, while soft enough to pass as marzipan, was still chalky and dry, especially combined with the chocolate. I don’t know if it was an old bar but from what I can find online they’re imported, so it’s not something that can be blamed on subpar US chocolate production.
So did I just get an extremely fresh one from Germany years ago and dry and chalky is the norm for the marzipan bars, or have I just had a run of bad luck? I’ve had other chocolate-covered marzipan (my favorite being from See’s – I know, huge surprise), so I know what it’s supposed to taste and feel like and Ritter Sport is definitely at the bottom of the list right now.
Chocablog reviewed the Dark Chocolate and the White Chocolate with Hazelnuts last year, and Candy Blog has reviewed several as well. What’s your favorite Ritter Sport bar? What should I try next?
I love their Knusperflakes and the Rum Trauben Nuss. My husband just brought me some sort of individually wrapped ones that are like little praline truffles or something … I can’t wait to try them.
I think they’re a great brand but agree that sometimes buying them in the states is dodgy (the best ones I’ve had are either samples direct from an importer or a friend brought back from Europe).
I agree about the Knusperflakes. Definitely one of my favorites. I don’t buy them often because once I start eating them I can’t stop.
That being said, I love milk chocolate, though lately I’ve been craving more dark chocolate. I enjoy Ritter Sport just plain milk chocolate, but I agree that it isn’t as good here in the US as in Germany UNLESS you live near enough to a German import store (specifically) where it seems what they import is somehow different than what you would get at a general grocery store or even at Cost Plus World Market.
On the subject of Marzipan specifically, in my opinion the best is “Niederegger” brand which is made in Luebbeck (a beautiful city, by the way). And while I also stay away from Marzipan because I love it so much I can’t stop eating when I start, I DID eat an entire 75g MILKA chocolate covered marzipan yesterday in a moment of weekness. SOOOOO good. Unfortunately Milka is another German brand that is hard to find here in the US, though you can find it more in Cananda. (sigh) I LOVE my Milka when I go to Germany.
Hah, that’s funny that you mention Niederegger, because that’s the OTHER bar my husband bought for me!
The Knusperflakes sounds good! That’s definitely one I’d like. I got ahold of the Butter Biscuit today and it was 1000 times better than the marzipan! I got it at the same store so maybe it is just the marzipan that are stinkers, which is disappointing.
I’ve heard that Cost Plus carries them so I think maybe I’ll try there next time I go looking! Have you tried the coconut?
I’ve actually only had the milk chocolate rittersport. Maybe I’ll try the Marzipan one if I see it, maybe it’ll be better in New York, where’d it’s geographically a little closer to Germany so maybe not quite as stale?
I have noticed similar problems with Nestle’s Mint Aero bar, which isn’t made in the US. The few placse I find it have it imported and the one I just had wasn’t bad, but it expired 6 months ago. They’re fresh when I get them up in Canada though, which isn’tmuch of an option usually.
I just purchashed a pfefferminz Ritter Sport with a exp. of 01 2008 and it was excellent, from the same store they only had 1 dk. choc. it had just exp. .79 cents it was actually not bad better than some darks I get around here.I tried the marizipan in germany it was great. they had it at this store I’ll go buy one and give you an update.I’m in kansas.
I wanted to add that I was looking through some sites for Milka and could not find the Marzipan I ate the other night. It’s not the same as the marzipan Milka BAR. It was a “Marzipan Brot”, meaning a half-circle shaped “loaf” of marzipan covered by the chocolate. I’ve never tried the marzipan bar.
As for the Milka chocolate, I’m sure it’s not the top quality, but there’s just something about it that I love. Besides, to me it brings back wonderful memories of Germany and times with my friends there.
Oh and somewhere (one of your links) I noticed they commented on never having a chocolate bar called “satin smooth” before, but it goes back to their well-known slogan in Germany “Die zahrteste Versuchung seit es Schokolade gibt”. (Roughly translated: The smoothest/softest experience since the beginning of chocolate. So I guess the best word to express what they are trying to say is “satin”.)
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Just some unimportant information from me.
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I’m enjoying reading your chocolate blog, though it’s REALLY not good for the diet I’m currently on!
well, prompted by the post, I just bought some Ritter Sport Marzipan. It pretty much tastes like you said, a little chalky and dry. although only a little, enough that I get a hint of what it would taste like if it was good. the expiration date is march of 08, but maybe something in the shipping hot/cold kills it?
Wow, well I’m not sure where you’re buying your Ritter Sport, but I live in San Francisco and usually buy it at Walgreens, of all places, where it’s usually freshly stocked.
I have never had a problem with the Marzipan and it happens to be one of my favorites. The filling itself is moist, sweet, and has a delicate consistency of ultra-finely grated almonds. This, paired with the rich, smoky flavor of the dark chocolate is simply divine!
My other favorites include: Cornflakes, Coconut, and Alpine Milk Chocolate, but all of the flavors are great.
Hi Paul! I bought it at a Target so that might explain it :-/ I’ve had it really fresh and loved it so I’ll continue to be on the lookout for it!
I lived in Germany for 8 years and Ritter Sport bars were my favorites. I don’t think they make my favorite anymore (Olympic) and ever since I came back to the states, I’ve tried them from several places and have been disappointed. Chocolate doesn’t survive heat and cold very well. I suppose that’s the main problem. Temp Control in shipping and storage here in the states.
Once in a while I get a good one though and I have to keep on the hunt.
i think best by far is butter biscuit ritter sport – cookie inside – yum!!! i have several expired bars of other flavors too that i brought back from germany but are all expired now – do you think i should eat them 1 year past their exp? is that just gross?