Forum Activity for @Nat

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

There is now quite a lot of buzz about the Mast brothers, probably due to them being in the middle of the burgeoning craft food movement in Brooklyn, and near all the media makers in NY:The mast brothers chocolate makers from Brooklyn make the medium screen again, now set to sail beans from Dominican Republic to NYC: Click to View Video Interesting video on artisinal Brooklyn chocolate ground the hard way: http://www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/the-mast-brothe.php Craft movement in Brooklyn: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/dining/25brooklyn.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mast%20brothers&st=cse

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Word is that Thomas Keller is using Mast Brothers chocolate at Per Se and the French Laundry. Remarkable.

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I love the Mast salt & pepper! Living in California, it's very difficult to get a hold of these bars.

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I tried another Mast Bros. This time it was their Dark Milk 65%. TCL member Rumi had a dark milk tasting a couple days ago. We put the Mast Bros in a lineup w/ Pralus Melissa, Bonnat Java, Bonnat Surabaya, Domori Latte Sal and Weiss Chocolat au Lait Entier. Everyone seemed to like the Mast and I picked it as my favorite of the lineup. I thought it was quite complex. Very dark flavor, roasted, short spicy notes in the middle, caramel appeared toward the end with a pleasant coffee flavor in the aftertaste. It resembled a hot chocolate drink at times. Another bar worth getting ahold of.

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Brady:Thanks for this intro to Mast Brothers. I first heard about them a couple of months ago but I seldom make it into Brooklyn so I haven't tried any yet. Do you still have the wrappers? Maybe you can scan and post them in a Photo album?

Mast Brothers Chocolate- bean to bar producer out of Brooklyn, NY

Posted in: Tasting Notes

A group of four of us tried the the Mast Brothers origin bars. Three bars labeled Venezuela 72%, Ecuador 66%, and Madagascar 64%. Due to a lack of major buzz generated about this company, we tried these bars with little to low expectations. Very small company operating in a kitchen in Brooklyn. Starting from the beginning, the visual appearance of the packaging is very cool. Heavy duty paper with various prints from floral to musical notes. No ingredients label to hint at what's inside. The mold is basic but the bars all had a very nice appearance with few flaws and wrapped in foil. Although the thickness was noticeably uneven. Most importantly, the experience of tasting them surpassed our expectations. Smooth texture and even melt for each. Bitterness well controlled. They also had a pleasant and fairly long aftertaste. Each bar exhibited the unique flavors of their respective region. The Madagascar was fruity, Venezuelan had subtle notes of berry but chocolaty flavor quite noticable, and the Ecuadorian bar was spicy with a cinamon flavor and some coffee notes. The Ecuadorian bar was so impressive we were suspicous of flavors being added. None the less, these bars are worth getting ahold of. Only available at a few locations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at the moment.
updated by @Brady: 04/09/15 22:31:16

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

At It's Chocolate we do it all from roasting to wrapping.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Sjolinds Chocolate House in Mt. Horeb Wisconsin is making nano batches bean to bar.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Would Fine and raw chocolate be considered for the list

I visited their factory last week in Brooklyn and they make their bars

there

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I am adding to the list.

Sibu Sura Chocolates in Maryland

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I guess it is my own fault for being left off of the list.CHOCOLA'TE in Bisbee, Arizona is beans to bar and we have been since 2008.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Sorry my link didn't attach.... they are: www.frenchbroadchocolates.com Click on their newsletter link and scroll down until you see "Seed to Bar" .

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Just heard of another possible bean-to-bar in the makes. I have heard great things about this shop in Asheville, NC. Haven't been there though. They mention their plans in the newsletter link on their site. Can't wait to try!So, is this the new trend in shops? I would love to "make" my own chocolate too....but for now I am certainly happy to be the chocolatier that I am. I want to master one thing before moving to the next. I guess I could go back to the thread on "re-melters"...but I worry that us small artisan fonduers will increasingly become "frowned upon" for not making our own chocolate. I guess it all depends on what chocolate you use, right? ...and how we use it...

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Adding my company Mindo Chocolate Makers: Micro-batch, bean to bar. We buy the beans right out of the pod and control the entire process including fermenting and drying all the way to molding the bars. We also make our own cocoa butter that we add to each chocolate batch. http://mindochocolate.com and http://facebook.com/mindochocolatemakers Here's my U.S. list:AmanoAmbrosiaAskinosieBittersweet CafeBlack Mountain ChocolateBlommerChocolate HavenCioccolatoDeVriesDe ZaanEscazu ChocolatesFearless ChocolatesFrescoGarden Island ChocolateGhirardelliGuittardJacques TorresKraft ??Lillie Belle FarmsLulu's ChocolateMarsMast BrothersMindo Chocolate MakersMerkensNestleOlive and SinclairOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate FactoryPatric ChocolatePetersRogue ChocolatierSacred ChocolateScharffen BergerSeeds of ChangeTazaTheoThe Oakland Chocolate CompanyVan LeerWilburWorld's Finest Chocolate

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Nancy,You should add your company information to the TCL Chocolate Makers database . That's a good place to store the information more permanently.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I'm adding my company, The Oakland Chocolate Company in Oakland, CA. I make chocolate from Jamaican beans exclusively. Very small batches. Bars and bonbons.Here's my U.S. list:AmanoAmbrosiaAskinosieBittersweet CafeBlack Mountain ChocolateBlommerChocolate HavenCioccolatoDeVriesDe ZaanEscazu ChocolatesFearless ChocolatesFrescoGarden Island ChocolateGhirardelliGuittardJacques TorresKraft ??Lillie Belle FarmsLulu's ChocolateMarsMast BrothersMerkensNestleOlive and SinclairOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate FactoryPatric ChocolatePetersRogue ChocolatierSacred ChocolateScharffen BergerSeeds of ChangeTazaTheoThe Oakland Chocolate CompanyVan LeerWilburWorld's Finest Chocolate

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Wow, Bob and Pam must be really old... if they've been doing this since the 1850s! ;>)
updated by @ChocoFiles: 06/14/15 17:32:25

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I believe that Santander by Compaia Nacional de Chocolates is tree to bar. All the ingredients are Colombian sourced and manufactured.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Julia - Michael is right, Original Hawaiian is not the only one though it is a very short list.At the moment, Dole's Waialua estate beans are being made into Chocolate by Guittard, so that counts as 100% American, though not tree to bar.There are at least two ChocolateLife members who live in Hawaii who are either actively doing commercial tree to bar or very close to going into commercial production. One of the companies is Garden Island Chocolate and the member is Koa Kahili. Check it out.But I agree that Bob and Pam are the first to get something sustainable going commercially. They've been trying to grow cacao into a commercial crop in Hawaii since the 1850s and just now starting to be successful at it.:: Clay

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Outsourcing (supervising whatever) roasting may be a business decision- but it will never be a decision based on quality. If you don't own a roaster and decide it makes more financial sense to outsource rather than roast your own -it's hard to be considered bean to bar. Where is all the care and attention to detail that tcho claims to have with the rest of there process line. If TCHO spent less on marketing they could easily roast there own- their factory has cameras and 3d!

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Nina:There is some debate in the chocolate-making community about whether or not a company that roasts and grinds in rented facilities qualifies as a bean-to-bar chocolate maker and I have had these talks at length with Timothy (who I was first introduced to years before he started to TCHO), Jane, Louis (whom I've known since before they launched Wired), John (whom I met in Ecuador in 2003) and Rob.In the past (if you'd read all the discussions on this topic) you'd have noticed that I personally believe that a company that personally supervises every step of every batch qualifies. But that's the commitment. Every Step of Every Batch. As far as I am concerned, if TCHO does this then they qualify. But I do not make chocolate and there are some who do make chocolate who do not share my opinion.One of the challenges I have had with TCHO since the very beginning (and I wrote my first article, which at one time was included in your press materials) is that you have not done a good job of communicating what you've been doing any place other than tcho.com - and even there not so well at times. In the absence of concrete and good information, people have been drawing their own conclusions and running with them, to the detriment of TCHO.I've been in contact with Rob about meeting while I am in SF. I hope I have the chance to meet you, as well.:: Clay

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi Clay;Thanks for your comment! But I'm confused why it matters where we do our roasting? We are actively and directly involved in each and every step of the chocolate making process:We buy our own cacao beans at source, partnering directly with farmers to guide cocoa bean fermentation and drying. Our TCHOSource program invests directly in infrastructure and training that helps farmers produce better quality beans. We take possession of those beans at the farm, and ship them to our roasting partner.To be clear, we don't outsource roasting any more than we buy liquor. All of our roasts are directly supervised by our R & D team. Prior to the roasts, we do numerous, meticulous test roasts in our SF lab to arrive at the perfect roasting profiles for each lot and for each of our flavors. Then we fly to our roasting partner and supervise each roast and grind according to our detailed instructions. Yes we do not own the equipment (although, really, in other cases, the banks probably own the equipment), but the roasts would not be conducted, nor come out any differently, than if we owned the equipment.One important benefit of roasting close to the growers is that we help the producing countries increase their share of the value-added (and capture more of the profit) in making chocolate, unlike many other bean-to-bar manufacturers who simply buy beans.In our SF factory, we make chocolate from our cocoa massbut we have participated directly in all of the work up to that point. In our factory, we perform all the refining, conching, tempering, molding, and packaging.I think the most essential part of being a bean-to-bar manufacturer is sourcing our own cacao beans and being directly involved with the farmers who grow themthen directly participating in every step of the chocolate-making process. To me, this seems to matter much more than who owns the equipment we roast on.We'd love to see you (and any other members) during the Fancy Food show! Thank you for hosting this discussion.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Globally they are not the only tree to bar. But the list would be very short indeed.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

A list of the ONLY...Tree to Bar.....is Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory....the only 100% American Made Chocolate.... www.ohcf.us/

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Nina:Actually, there's some question in this forum and elsewhere as to whether or not TCHO qualifies.Are you now performing all of the manufacturing steps in your factory in SF?Some people (many actually) believe that outsourcing roasting and grinding, even if they are done under supervision, doesn't count. I personally am still undecided in this matter - I am just asking to get some more clarity on what the current state of the processes being performed on-pier, so to speak, are.:: ClayBTW - I will be in SF for the Winter Fancy Food Show and have been speaking to Rob K about stuff so I hope to visit and meet.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

you can TCHO to the US list of bean-to-bar manufacturers! thanks!

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

HiStirs the Soul Raw Chocolate Co. in Portland OR. is " Bean to Bar"

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I share your sintiments somewhat, I am very curious and is excited about who does whar myself.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Here's my U.S. list:AmanoAmbrosiaAskinosieBittersweet CafeBlack Mountain ChocolateBlommerChocolate HavenCioccolatoDeVriesDe ZaanEscazu ChocolatesFearless ChocolatesFrescoGarden Island ChocolateGhirardelliGuittardJacques TorresKraft ??Lillie Belle FarmsLulu's ChocolateMarsMast BrothersMerkensNestleOlive and SinclairOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate FactoryPatric ChocolatePetersRogue ChocolatierSacred ChocolateScharffen BergerSeeds of ChangeTazaTheoVan LeerWilburWorld's Finest Chocolate

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I've attached 2 lists.1) A list from TCL of all the bean to bar makers. I've got a couple that aren't on the list above.2) A list of U.S. bean to bar makers only. (I just deleted everyone on the first list that isn't in the U.S.)Personally, I think it's easier to just maintain one list.Unfortunately, the TCL database still has very limited usefulness. Until the data can be printed, and until various reports can created from it, and queries made, it's not as useful as it could be. It's nice to have a definitive list in one place, though. I'd really like to be able to download all the data so that I have it for my own use, though (preferably in MS Access format).

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I added the updated link to the Home Page. For convenience it is here too.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Clay, the link for your database didn't work (you mentioned on page 4 of this discussion)--am I right in that it's now defunct?Updated List:Amano Artisan ChocolateAmbrosia (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Askinosie ChocolateBittersweet Chocolate Cafe (Seneca is doing some micro-batch bars)Black MountainBlommer Chocolate CompanyCioccolato (located in Wyoming and Mexico--bean-to-bonbon)De Vries ChocolateDe Zaan (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Escazu Chocolates (just starting to release a bean-to-bar line)Fearless Chocolate Company (raw)FrescoGhirardelli (Owned by Lindt in Switzerland)GuittardJacques TorresKraft (German-owned)Lulu's ChocolateMarsMast BrothersMerkens (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Nestle (Swiss-owned)Olive and SinclairOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (also grows their beans on American soil)Patric ChocolatePeters (Cargill-owned, bean-to-couverture)Rogue ChocolatierSacred Chocolate (raw)Scharffen BergerSoma Chocolatemaker (actually in Canada)TazaTchoTheoVan Leer (Belgian-owned)Wilbur (Cargill-owned, bean-to-bar)World's Finest Chocolate

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi!Lulu's Chocolate (also Lulu's Raw Chocolate Alchemy) is doing a line of bean-to-bar stone ground bars. www.luluschocolate.com The bars aren't on her website, but we carry one variety where I work (Alma Chocolate, Portland, Or.) and I've seen them at co-ops around town. Last I heard she was keeping production small, but that could be different now/future.They're delicious and made with coconut sugar! There were four or five flavors, I believe.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

There are lots of discussions on this topic so I'd appreciate NOT getting off-topic in this discussion. I'd recommend joining the group Startup Central and asking the question there.PLEASE everyone, do not answer this question in this discussion.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hello everyone I am new to this so forgive me as I dive in here. Not to get of the subject here but I have another question about the "business". What is the best way start a small chocolate business. I mean without jumping into loans and all that? I mean we want to start in our kitchen at first. To start building capitol and to develope a reputation. I mean you guys seem to really know your stuff PLEASE help? Thank you so much!

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I'm adding the following:Fresco, http://frescochocolate.com/default.aspx Founder Rob Anderson in Bellingham, WA, started producing approx. Nov. 2008Black Mountain Chocolate, http://www.blackmountainchocolate.com/ Founder David Mason, North CarolinaOlive and Sinclair, http://www.oliveandsinclair.com/ Founders David Sellers and Scott Witherow, started producing August 2009I see Soma is added to the list. Do we want to make it a North American list? Then I suppose we should include Choklat. I am not adding, but am eagerly awaiting bean to bar from this Canadian chocolatier, soon to be chocolate maker:Wild Sweets Origin, http://www.dcduby.com/chocolate/bean-to-bar.php Founders Dominique and Cindy Duby, Richmond BC, CanadaBradyUpdated List:Amano Artisan ChocolateAmbrosia (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Askinosie ChocolateBittersweet Chocolate Cafe (Seneca is doing some micro-batch bars)Black MountainBlommer Chocolate CompanyCioccolato (located in Wyoming and Mexico--bean-to-bonbon)De Vries ChocolateDe Zaan (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Escazu Chocolates (just starting to release a bean-to-bar line)Fearless Chocolate Company (raw)FrescoGhirardelli (Owned by Lindt in Switzerland)GuittardJacques TorresKraft (German-owned)MarsMast BrothersMerkens (ADM-owned, bean-to-couverture)Nestle (Swiss-owned)Olive and SinclairOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (also grows their beans on American soil)Patric ChocolatePeters (Cargill-owned, bean-to-couverture)Rogue ChocolatierSacred Chocolate (raw)Scharffen BergerSoma Chocolatemaker (actually in Canada)TazaTchoTheoVan Leer (Belgian-owned)Wilbur (Cargill-owned, bean-to-bar)World's Finest Chocolate

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

This is the link .
updated by @Clay Gordon: 09/12/15 00:45:26

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Feel free to add her.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Kristen Hard, owner and Master Chocolate Maker of Cacao in Atlanta, Georgia, needs to be added to this list. She has been making her own chocolate since the beginning of 2009 and is the first female bean to bar producer in the U.S..

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Regarding Kakawa Chocolate House, as the creator and former owner of Kakawa I can truthfully say that I was not a bean to bar chocolate maker. I used a blend of several different chocolates to make my moulded dark chocolate. I can safely say the the current owner is not, nor will he ever be, a chocolate historian, nor a chocolatier and will never be able to make chocolate bean to bar.I may at some point in the future make my own chocolate bean to bar but have no idea when. I may make chocolate nib to bar sooner, but will be buying already roasted nibs. What would that make me? Chocolatier is fine with me.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

It all depends on what your definition of "bean to bar" is. I think most people think that in order to be bean to bar you have to be a small producer. You don't.Dove (which is sold under the Galaxy name in the UK) is a Mars brand. So somewhere there is a Mars/Dove factory (or factories) where beans are processed to produce chocolate that gets wrapped in Dove wrappers for sale to consumers. That's bean to bar.Bean to bar is a process description not a quality metric.Now, Hershey no longer processes beans, they buy liquor. So they're not bean to bar. Callebaut deposits large bars of chocolate mostly used by professionals. So they are a bean to bar company.I think that there are other process labels - "artisan" and "craft" are really applicable to smaller scale production and are more useful and usable than bean to bar has become.

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

This surprises me to hear that Dove is bean-to-bar. Is anyone else surprised by this as well?