Forum Activity for @sabrina hicks

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?

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Dove Chocolate is crafted from "bean to bar." Dove uses specially selected cocoa beans to deliver the signature taste, a special process that produces the signature silky smooth texture, and thoughtfully designed chocolate shapes and packaging to provide a chocolate experience like no other.-Jenn, Dove Team

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I figured as muchhey cybele....we made a new bar and I thought of you...its called;"DO NOT EAT THIS CHOCOLATE!"

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Just so everyone knows, Jenn Harn is a PR rep for Dove.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

andrea,it is not on our website for a reason. we just started it and have only slowly allowed the public who walks into our store the opportunity to try and buy. I have no intention of selling our bean to bar on our website at this current time. I need a new SKU like I need another hole in my head. besides, I went through 10 metric tons of couverture last year...I am not going to be able to ever make that kind of quantity.jeff

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

"All of our chocolates are made with a proprietary blend of organic couvertures." From your website.Are you bean to bar or do you blend couverture? If you are making it from the bean, I think you might want to make that clearer on your site. Just a suggestion. Andrea

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi everyone,I'm not the boss of the list or anything, so please feel free to add new companies to the list at will (just copy, paste, and add a company). For the sake of everyone who cares, just please make sure that they really belong there.Best,Alan

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

you can add us to the list. we have made 4 outstanding chocolates from beans from venezuela, DR, and ecuador....all used in bon bons in out store....another shark in the pool....

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Last time I talked to Kristen, the bean-to-bar side of her operation, which as I recall includes some non-bean-to-bar items as well, wasn't yet up and running. She told me that she would get back to me when it was, and I haven't yet heard anything from her.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

You're missing Cacao in Atlanta, which is a bean-to-bar boutique run by Kristin Hard.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi again!The visit went very well -- check out my blog entries if you want to see more: http://drexeliuschocolates.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/mast-brothers-chocolate-i/ http://drexeliuschocolates.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/mast-brothers-chocolate-ii/

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I will be visiting the Brothers next week. Excited to meet them and see their shop/factory.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I have spoken with the Mast Brothers. They were up front with me that some of their chocolate they make and some they do not. If you ask them specifically, they will tell you which is which but unfortunately, it isn't always very clear from their advertising / statements that some of their chocolate is made elsewhere or is a blend.They are using Santha class machines.Nice guys.-Art

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi all,Can anyone confirm that they KNOW that Mast Brothers are actually manufacturing chocolate from bean to bar. Several things I have seen here and there have made me really doubt it. I would like to be sure. Thanks for your help!Fortnum

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Back to the original thread of this post and bean-to-bar chocolate makers ... wikipedia has a global list (like the one from seventy percent). Not just US or North American. I noticed some missing companies on the list. If you belong, think about adding yourself to the wikipedia bean-to-bar list... Here's the link (don't be misled by the title in the link, it redirects to a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer list)... also...all the caveats about wikipedia apply... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chocolate_manufacturers Kate

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Sara,Have you ever visited a "Fair Trade" cocoa farm? If so, please indicate where the farm is and what the conditions were. I would REALLY be interested in any visits made to Latin America, Africa or Asia, where slave-like child labor conditions are still employed on many of these farms.Jim Lucas
updated by @Jim2: 09/09/15 22:05:53

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

What most people would consider a "true" bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer would physically do their own roasting and grind liquor from those beans on their own machines - not have someone else do those steps to their specs/protocols.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi Louis,Good to meet you, if only online!Do you roast those beans in your San Francisco facility, or are they roasted elsewhere, for example at origin?Happy New Year,Alan

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Jay's post about TCHO is wrong. We at TCHO buy our beans directly from farmers or coops, we personally oversee their roasting to our own proprietary roast protocols and profiles, and then we manufacture beans from the liquor made from the roasts.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

TCHO most definitely is bean to bar. They go straight to the farmers to get their beans, and roast their own.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hershey's does not roast their own beans any longer, they buy liquor from Callebaut. (Though I believe they're still sourcing their own beans, just outsourcing the process.) Yes, they own Scharffen Berger, but it is its own discrete factory at this time from the rest of the Hershey's production line.I wasn't aware that TCHO wasn't roasting their own beans. They show a lot of pictures of them playing with beans on their website.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hey All,One thing that may be helpful to think about is that just because chocolate is American produced doesn't mean that the creation of that chocolate was done justly or equitably. All American chocolate companies still import cocoa beans from Latin America, Africa or Asia, and unfortunately slave-like child labor conditions are still employed on many of these farms. (see http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/background.html for more info/resources)Perhaps it would be of interest to some of you to know about American chocolate companies (and international companies) that import cocoa beans and produce chocolate under Fair Trade standards: that is, the trade guarantees a minimum price under direct contracts, prohibits abusive child labor, promotes environmental sustainability, and requires democratic governance and the admittance of labor unions for farms. If so, take a look at the following link: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/retailers.html .If you'd like to help educate others about Fair Trade Chocolate, participate in our Second National Valentine's Day of Action: 3,000 for Fair Trade this February and win a Fair Trade chocolate gift worth $40! Get an educator to teach our Fair Trade Cocoa Curriculum in the classroom before February 14. The free booklet, curriculum and flyers are available at http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/ .Keep thinking about that chocolate!Sara Litke

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I am still working on an acceptable replacement - it's harder than it seems because while di do have some programming knowledge, I don't have a lot of database programming knowledge. The kinds of sorts and filters you're talking about will be included in what gets delivered.It will be possible to print reports directly from pages generated by the database without having to do and export/import.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

HI sorry me again the website address was wrong, is www.richart.com

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Hi, i read you list and like it a lot but please take some time to check this french chocolatier, the brand is RICHART Chocolat, their website www.richartchocolates.com

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

They are mistaken. I guarantee that this thread is far more obsessive than the average person. I don't think that they are trying to mislead.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Having been to Theo yesterday... the warehouse is where it all happens but it was smaller than I expected.Not to hijack the thread but at Theo we were told there are only 14 bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the country? Are they just mistaken or do definitions differ?

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

QUOTE: "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." /QUOTEClay,Has any more progress been made on updating this database? I seem to recall that you were going to look into other options to make it more usable. For instance, going with the theme of this thread, it would need to be able to produce a report with U.S. bean to bar makers. Other reports needed are 1) a report for each company that lists all of the data collected for that company , 2) Reports by country, 3) A complete list of just the chocolate makers grouped by country.Ideally, it would be great to have a way to import this data directly into an Access database so that no data re-entry has to be done. At a minimum there has to be a way to print these reports so that we can have it in a hard copy.I think this is a very useful project, so I hope it will continue to grow and improve.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I would not be surprised that the number is this large, and I think it's a good thing. I have long held the opinion that if a city is large enough to support a micro-brewery or brew-pub (or three) it's large enough to support a micro- to medium-batch chocolate company.It also would not surprise me that JT is selling off his chocolate-making equipment. The universal grinder/refiner/conche he bought is very noisy and probably can't be run during normal business hours without stressing out the staff and customers.

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

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

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

One French term is "fondeur" - melter.I guess it depends on what you think of as a chocolatier. If a shop buys most of its stuff (truffles, bon bons) but makes chocolate-dipped pretzels are they a chocolatier?In the end, I don't really care where the line is drawn. I will continue to appreciate most those who work to express their own creative visions, not sell someone else's.

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

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I was told by the guys at Union Machinery (they sell used chocolate manufacturing equipment) that Jacques Torres was selling off all of his from the bean equipment because they were having various issues in making the chocolate. These are the guys that sold him all of the equipment in the first place, so it seems somewhat credible, but the Jacques Torres website still shows bean to bar production. If anyone is in NYC and has the inside scoop on this, I would love to know if its true.These guys also told me that they have 60 customers who are currently attempting to set up bean to bar production, so we may soon see a flood of bars on the market.Hallot