In Polynesia, kava (Piper methysticum) has been intensively cultivated for more than 3000 years. The plant is widely consumed as a sacred drink – used communally on religious, political or social occasions.

This porcelain tableware dates from 1954 and was manufactured by the Langenthal factory, founded in the German-speaking part of Switzerland in 1906.

This wooden-handled hammer has a circular head made of white porcelain with bumps on one side.

Developed in the 18th century, absinthe originated in the Canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, and the Department of Jura in France. Also known as the 'green fairy', absinthe was first consumed as a medicine, and later as an aperitif.

Worldwide, 255 kilogrammes of coffee are consumed per second – a huge amount – which explains the great variety of devices used in coffee preparation: the filter, French press, Italian stovetop espresso pot, electric coffee maker and pod machine.

These two 19th-century Bernese coffee pots were not used for making coffee but for serving it. Since the Swiss artist Albert Anker (1831-1910) used such pots as staffage in his popular paintings, this style of coffee pot became known as ‘the Anker style’. Their characteristic curved handles, elongated shape, and three legs are reminiscent of hot-chocolate pots from the same period. When designed for the table, they were often richly ornamented. The smaller of these two pots was for Sundays and holidays, and made of copper. The other was for weekdays and made of less expensive materials, i.e., brass and iron.

This box is a modern copy of a product sold around 1911.

Wooden board with a metal blade that pivots on an axle to easily cut pieces of chocolate.

Utensil used to crack nut shells.

Jar of instant' Nestea' iced tea, created by Nestlé in 1948 using the same process as instant 'Nescafé' coffee.

Hinged metal chocolate mould made by Létang Fils.