Forum Activity for @Eric Durtschi

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Thanks for the insight. I was just curious as to whether or not he should be added to the list.In his case the reason he uses nibs is that he is a new company and small ans doesn't have the money to buy the winnower yet. Maybe when he gets a little bigger he'll truly become bean to bar.By the way, any idea what a winnower would cost? Do they make small ones. The cheapest I have found is $70,000.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

The reason I asked is that this guy does just what you mentioned of making chocolate from raw unroasted nibs. Sounds pretty crazy but he is sending me some samples for me to try as I am going to be getting him some of the nibs from a few other countries. I can't wait to try it. So, in this case do you think it qualifies as bean to bar?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Could a company that starts from nibs be considered bean to bar? I know that is not "bean to bar" but what do you think. I know a company that does this.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

As always, thanks for the knowledgeable replies to my LCC question.Now, I'm curious about this one too-- Why is Kraft on this list? What chocolate do they make from bean to bar?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Lake Champlain is definitely not b-2-b. They are just down the interstate from St Albans VT where Callebaut has a factory. All of the chocolate LCCC uses comes from Callebaut. The clue is to take a look at the origins and percentages.:: Clay

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

99.99% sure that they don't.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Mark,Here is the American bean-to-bar topic. You'll find Merckens and more there: http://www.thechocolatelife.com/forum/topic/show?id=1978963%3ATopic%3A7700&page=2&commentId=1978963%3AComment%3A7847&x=1#1978963Comment7847

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Is Lake Champlain, in Burlington VT, a bean to bar maker?From their website they seem to be, but I'm not sure.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Why is Kraft on this list? What chocolate do they make from bean to bar?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

"I don't see World's Finest Chocolate listed here. "What country are they in?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

No. Bean-to-bar requires roasting, winnowing, and grinding the cocoa beans.starting from cocoa liquor would be liquor-to-bar.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Would you consider cocoa liquor to bar "bean to bar"????

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I can confirm this.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Cotton Tree Chocolate is made in Belize. It is a bean to bar chocolate made at the Cotton Tree Lodge in the Toledo District of Belize.The initial batch of Cotton Tree Chocolate was made from tree (picked directly off a local farmer's trees and fermented and made at the Cotton Tree Lodge) to bar. Most batches are not fermented on the premises but instead start with freshly fermented and dried beans that are then roasted on the premises.Cotton Tree Chocolate likes to buy the freshest beans possible directly from the farmer.Cotton Tree Lodge arranges a chocolate week at the lodge which allow guests to tour cacao plantations, pick cacao, and participate in all of the steps to make their own chocolate bars. Guests can also tour the Cotton Tree Chocolate factory on the premises.
updated by @Erin: 09/11/15 16:36:40

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hello. I see you put us on the list of Bean to Bar makers.. Thank you. Yes indeed we make chocolate from the beans we buy directly from cooperatives and individual farmers here in Nicaragua. We roast and peal the cacao, then mill it with sugar ending in very full tasting chocolate bars. The nice thing about being so close to the farmers is that you get very interesting variaties. I have seen at least 25 types of cacao in our area.We have contacts with some bean to bar chocolate makers and export small quantaties of cacao (starting at 200lbs) to the USA and Europe. We also train cacao farmers how to make chocolate using their own cacao with local technology. Lets hope we get some more bean to bar makers in this world..

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I don't think that saying that they know how their cacao is sourced is in conflict with them NOT being bean to bar. There are a lot of companies that outsource stuff that requires huge specialized machinery and large amounts of space. They can still be very involved with the cacao selection process - they just have someone else winnow & roast and possibly go so far as to have someone deliver it as liquor. (Hershey's is no longer bean to bar on all their products.)

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Huh. What about Caffarel? TSOR leaves it ambiguous. They talk about cocoa, not cacao, though that could be translation issues, but at the same time their site also says "In the main building - a hallowed hall of fine chocolate making - the processes that are performed include roasting, mixing, refinement and conching"

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

For what it is worth, I saw a video online about ESC that included a trip through their plant and there wasn't one single shot of cacao, roasting, winnowing, grinding or conching--only molding and packaging. It isn't final proof, but it might add to one's skepticism:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bZsaAqu4CA They say in the video that you can tour the factory, so if you are in or near Indianapolis, IN, that would be a possibility.Also, feel free to email the company. If they are bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturers, and you ask some direct questions, they should certainly be able to answer them without any hesitation or oddly worded responses that just add to the confusion.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Here are two statements that I've gleaned about ESC:From the inside of the wrapper, "We only buy cacao grown in the natural shade of rich, diverse forests."From the blog and FAQs on their website , "Endangered Species Chocolate sources our cacao for our all-natural milk and dark chocolate bars from small, family-owned farms in Nigeria"These statements lead one to believe that they are a bean-to-bar company, but I'm still not sure. They could also be nuanced so that they merely give that impression.What do you think?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Is Endangered Species a bean-to-bar company or a fondeur?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Last I heard, Dagoba buys their beans pre-roasted (but this was pre-hershey). This is why Theo is very careful with their wording as the "only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the US."So while they work from the bean, it's not the raw bean.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Is Dagoba a bean-to-bar company?On the Trader Joe's 72% thread Andrea said of the TJ 72%, "Don't think it's Barry Callebaut organic. (Which is the Dagoba bar.)"I'm reviewing a Dagoba bar at the moment, so I'd like to know if Dagoba is a fondeur who uses Callebaut organic? Or are they bean-to-bar since they used to sell couverture? I always like to know where the chocolate comes from.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Chocolaterie de L'Opera is not a bean to bar company and should be removed from the list.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Neuhaus is a Callebaut customer and not a bean to bar company.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Is Neuhaus from Belgium bean to bar? It seems like they would be, but I'm not sure how to tell or how even how to find out.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Chocolove does not manufacture the chocolate from beans, they are a fondeur, or melter. While originally everything was manufactured by a co-packer, in late 2003 they opened their own bar production facility.According to information on this page , Chocolat Frey is a bean-to-bar company. They also claim to be "... the only major chocolate brand produced entirely in Switzerland." Astoundingly, they make over 350 flavors of bars. Dolfin was founded by the Poncelet brothers who are related to the family that started Belcolade if I remember correctly. If you read their web site closely, there is no mention of bean-to-bar -- which there certainly would be if they were practicing it. They talk about the art of blending, not the art of making chocolate. Interesting news is that they were recently recognized as Belgium's first CO2-neutral chocolate company.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

What about Chocolove (Boulder, CO, USA), Frey (Switzerland), and Dolfin (Belgium)-- are they bean to bar?

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

All:I have created a simple database that will enable us to track these companies more easily. It is located here .PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY MORE COMPANY NAMES HERE. Please add them in the database. If you have added a company to this list, please consider making an entry in the database for it.Thanks in advance,:: Clay

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Updated list, minus the U.S. makers:(minus the hyperlinks too)AfricaMalagasy (Madagascar)Claudio Corallo (So Tom)AustraliaHaigh's ChocolatesTavaEuropeAustriaZotterBelgiumBarry CallebautPierre MarcoliniDenmarkCarlettiTomsFranceBernachonBonnatChocolaterie de L'OperaMichel CluizelPralusValrhonaWeissGermanyCoppeneurEuromarHachezHerzaLudwigLudwig WeinrichStorckItalyAmedeiAntica Dolceria BonajutoCioccolato PeyranoDeBondtDomoriDon PuglisiFerreroICAMMajaniVenchiSpainChocovicNatraSwedenMalm ChokladfabrikSwizerlandConfiserie BernerFelchlinUnited KingdomCadbury-SchweppesSir Hans Sloane of LondonNorth AmericaCanadaSoma ChocolatemakerUnited States(On other thread)South America & CaribbeanArgentinaFenixColombiaSantanderEcuadorVintage PlantationsGrenadaGrenada Chocolate CompanyNicaraguaEl Castillo del CacaoVenezuelaEl ReyHacienda Bukare

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

To the Italian list add Venchi, Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, and Don Puglisi. To the German list add Coppeneur.I am fairly certain that the chocolate Dolfin uses is sourced from Belcolade.Also, although Vintage Plantations is headquartered here in New Jersey, manufacturing is all done in Ecuador.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Casey,Thank you very much for this thorough and excellent list!How about Dolfin from Belgium? Are they bean to bar? If they're not, then does anyone know where they get their chocolate from? I've been sampling a lot of Dolfin's flavors recently, so It would help to know.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

There is a similar discussion on American bean-to-bar companies here .Any questions or updates about the American companies on this list should be directed to that forum thread .Information, comments, and thoughts about non-US companies (including Mexico and Canada) should go here.

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Casey:Thanks for posting this and pointing me to that discussion. It's quite interesting and nuanced, even discussing whether or not a company that starts from liquor (as opposed to roasting their own beans should be included).

Bean to bar chocolate makers

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Here is a list of bean to bar makers. It is not a list of ethical companies or artisan chocolate makers. It simply means that these companies all make their chocolate all the way from raw cacao beans to the molded bar. This list is the result of an ongoing project conducted at 70%, where members maintain a discussion and make attempts to verify that each company on this list actually makes chocolate from raw beans. The reason for verification is that sometimes companies wish to sound hip and trendy and so they claim to be bean bar. The idea is to have some type of definitive list going of who actually makes chocolate from the bean for RETAIL (not solely commercial, industrial, sale).

Africa
Madecasse (Madagascar)
Claudio Corallo (So Tom)
Divine Chocolate

Australia
Haigh's Chocolates
Tava (factory is currently not operational)

Zokoko

Europe
Austria
Zotter

Belgium
Barry Callebaut
Pierre Marcolini

Denmark
Carletti
TOMS Gruppen

France
Bernachon
Bonnat
Michel Cluizel
Pralus
Valrhona
Weiss

Germany
Euromar
Hachez
Herza
Ludwig
Ludwig Weinrich
Storck

Italy
Amedei

Antica Dolceria Bonajuto

Casa Don Puglisi

Cioccolato Peyrano
DeBondt
Domori
Ferrero
ICAM
Majani

Venchi

Spain
Chocovic (now owned by Barry Callebaut)
Natra

Sweden
Malm Chokladfabrik

Swizerland
Confiserie Berner
Felchlin

United Kingdom
Cadbury-Schweppes
Red Star
Sir Hans Sloane
Willie's Cacao

North America
Canada
Soma Chocolatemaker

United States
Amano
Askinosie

Bittersweet Origins

Black Mountain Chocolate
Cacao Atlanta
Cacao Prieto
DeVries
Escazu

Fresco Chocolate

Guittard

Jacques Torres (no longer in production)
Kraft
Lindt (not a US company)
Mars
Mast Brothers

Mindo Chocolate Maker
Nestle (technically not a US company)

Oakland Chocolate Company

Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory
Patric Chocolate

Potomac Chocolate

Rogue Chocolatier
Scharffen Berger

Snake and Butterfly

Taza
TCHO
Theo

Latin America/ Caribbean
AMMA (Brazil)
Chocolates Condor (Bolivia)
Chocolates Para Ti (Bolivia)
Cooperativa Naranjillo (Peru)
Cotton Tree Chocolate (Belize)
Danta Chocolate (Guatemala)
El Castillo del Cacao (Nicaragua)
El Ceibo (Bolivia)
El Rey (Venezuela)
Fenix (Argentina)
Grenada Chocolate Company (Grenada)
Hacienda Bukare (Venezuela)
Kallari (Ecuador)
Momotombo Chocolate Factory (Nicaragua)
Pacari (Ecuador)
Rain Republic Chocolate (Guatemala)
Santander (Colombia)

updated by @Casey: 04/09/15 09:57:06

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Most welcome. I would like to add that Kee's Chocolates in Soho is a special favorite of mine and even though there are no chairs or tables where one can sit, there is ample room to stand and enjoy several chocolates. So do keep that in mind and if you do go there, be sure to taste the pitachio truffle (a favorite), the creme brulee truffle (a cult fave), the key lime and passion fruit truffle.

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

*adds to my list*Thank you Seby.

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Pierre Marcolini on 57th & Park Avenue where there are exquisite chocolates to sample.Richart on 55th between Madison & 5th Avenues.Neuhaas in Grand Central on the upper level as you enter from the side of Vanderbilt Avenue.La Maison du Chocolate which Clay mentioned has a second branch at Rockefeller Center and also has their signature ice creams and their chocolates and chocolate related patisseries flown in from Paris.Enjoy!

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

The forum post Chocoflyer refers to is this one .

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

BTW Max Brenners is truly a cafe with a sit down menu a la chocolate- its quite large and painted kinda like a choc factory- really fun!

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

In addition to Clays list, I recommend Max Brenner's Chocolate cafe for a really fun, unique experience. Also please see my Top Ten list of Choc in NYC!! its a Forum....

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Thank you so much for your reply Clay! I knew I was only recalling a few, but I didn't realize what a tiny tip of the iceberg it was! Wow!I was thinking Michel Cluizel's place would be a good place to start since I know his chocolate so well. Are there any among these that you would specifically recommend (maybe instead)?

Chocolate Cafes in New York City

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Jacques Torres in NoTri (north of TriBeCa - corner of King and Hudson) and on the UWS (73/Amsterdam) has coffee and chocolate beverages and you can sit at the bar or at tables or couches.Not all that far from the NoTri JT is The Chocolate Bar in the West Village.Charbonnel et Walker the UK chocolate company has a lounge in Saks on 5th across from Rock Center.La Maison du Chocolat - both in Rock Center as well as on the UES on Madison Ave.Way downtown in the Wall Street area is Christopher Norman. A couple of table tops and a counter. My favorite there is their champagne, white chocolate, and goat cheese truffle dipped in dark chocolate and dusted with roasted herbs.On the UWS not sure if the Scharffen Berger boutique is still open, but it's at 83/Amsterdam.Out in Brooklyn you could try The Chocolate Room (5th/Warren/Prospect - thechocolateroombrooklyn.com).