Fruition Chocolate was founded in 2011 by Bryan Graham and is based in Woodstock, USA. The company is known for stone-grinding cocoa beans as a means, Bryan says, of accentuating their inherent flavor. Fruition Chocolate won the gold medal for “Best in Competition” at the 2016 International Chocolate Awards. In this episode, Bryan tells us about his pastry chef training, the story behind the Corazon de Dahlia bar and how the proceeds help children in Peru, and about recreating flavors in...

Fruition Chocolate was founded in 2011 by Bryan Graham and is based in Woodstock, USA. The company is known for stone-grinding cocoa beans as a means, Bryan says, of accentuating their inherent flavor. Fruition Chocolate won the gold medal for “Best in Competition” at the 2016 International Chocolate Awards. In this episode, Bryan tells us about his pastry chef training, the story behind the Corazon de Dahlia bar and how the proceeds help children in Peru, and about recreating flavors in...

Theo Chocolate was founded in 2006 by Joe Whinney and Debra Music and is based in Seattle, USA. The company is known as being the first organic, fair-trade certified, bean-to-bar chocolate maker in North America, and offers chocolate made with beans from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru, as well as confections and caramels. In this episode, Joe tells us about experiencing Mayan cocoa drinks and working on cacao farms as a young conservation volunteer, the many ideas he had to support...

Theo Chocolate was founded in 2006 by Joe Whinney and Debra Music and is based in Seattle, USA. The company is known as being the first organic, fair-trade certified, bean-to-bar chocolate maker in North America, and offers chocolate made with beans from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru, as well as confections and caramels. In this episode, Joe tells us about experiencing Mayan cocoa drinks and working on cacao farms as a young conservation volunteer, the many ideas he had to support...

Cailo Chocolate was founded in 2016 by the Castillo and Carniello families and is based in Perth, Australia. The bean-to-bar producer sources its cocoa beans from the Bocas del Toro region of Panama and is known for small-batch chocolate bars that incorporate ingredients indigenous to Australia, such as ooray, lemon myrtle and mountain pepper. Hear from co-founder and chocolate maker Mark Carniello about his “aha” moment in Santa Barbara, California, shipping beans to the remote coast of West...

Cailo Chocolate was founded in 2016 by the Castillo and Carniello families and is based in Perth, Australia. The bean-to-bar producer sources its cocoa beans from the Bocas del Toro region of Panama and is known for small-batch chocolate bars that incorporate ingredients indigenous to Australia, such as ooray, lemon myrtle and mountain pepper. Hear from co-founder and chocolate maker Mark Carniello about his “aha” moment in Santa Barbara, California, shipping beans to the remote coast of West...

Cacao Hunters was founded in 2013 by Carlos Ignacio Velasco and Mayumi Ogata and is based in Popayán, Colombia. The company is dedicated to finding, preserving and promoting heirloom varieties of cacao in indigenous and post-conflict regions of Colombia. Currently, it supports more than 1,500 families growing cacao throughout the country. In this episode, Carlos tells us about his start in the coffee industry, finding “hidden treasures” in cacao varieties that have been hidden for years in...

Cacao Hunters was founded in 2013 by Carlos Ignacio Velasco and Mayumi Ogata and is based in Popayán, Colombia. The company is dedicated to finding, preserving and promoting heirloom varieties of cacao in indigenous and post-conflict regions of Colombia. Currently, it supports more than 1,500 cacao families growing cacao throughout the country. In this episode, Carlos tells us about his start in the coffee industry, finding “hidden treasures” in cacao varieties that have been hidden for years...

Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat, was founded in 2011 by Vincent Mourou and Samuel Maruta and is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company is the first artisan chocolate maker based in Vietnam, and works in close collaboration with farmers, cooperatives and cacao experts to make Vietnamese chocolate a widely recognized origin for gourmet chocolate. In this episode, Sam talks about experiencing “chocolate withdrawal syndrome” when traveling as a French youth to Japan, the kismet timing of...

Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat, was founded in 2011 by Vincent Mourou and Samuel Maruta and is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company is the first artisan chocolate maker based in Vietnam, and works in close collaboration with farmers, cooperatives and cacao experts to make Vietnamese chocolate a widely recognized origin for gourmet chocolate. In this episode, Sam talks about experiencing “chocolate withdrawal syndrome” when traveling as a French youth to Japan, the kismet timing of...

Ritual Chocolate was founded in 2010 by Robbie Stout and Anna Davies and is based in Park City, USA. The company makes small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate by hand using classic European methods, and offers single-origin chocolate from Belize, Peru, Ecuador and Madagascar, as well as drinking chocolate and cacao nibs. In this episode, Robbie tells us how the grinder would keep them up at night when he and Anna began Ritual in their Boulder apartment, details the checklist they use when choosing...

Ritual Chocolate was founded in 2010 by Robbie Stout and Anna Davies and is based in Park City, USA. The company handmakes small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate using classic European methods, and offers single-origin chocolate from Belize, Peru, Ecuador and Madagascar, as well as drinking chocolate and cacao nibs. In this episode, Robbie tells us how the grinder would keep them up at night when he and Anna began Ritual in their Boulder apartment, about the checklist they use when choosing a...

Valrhona was founded in 1922 by Albéric Guironnet in the small village of Tain L’Hermitage, France, and is now also based in Brooklyn, USA. The company is dedicated to enhancing the flavors of rare cocoa beans, highlighting the land where the cocoa beans come from, and offers artisan tasting bars and baking products. It also operates its own four pastry and chocolate schools (two in France, one in Tokyo and one in Brooklyn), L’École Valrhona—for which our guest, chef Sarah Tibbetts, serves as...

Valrhona was founded in 1922 by Albéric Guironnet in the small village of Tain L’Hermitage, France, and is now also based in Brooklyn, USA. The company is dedicated to enhancing the flavors of rare cocoa beans, highlighting the land where the cocoa beans come from, and offers artisan tasting bars and baking products. It also operates its own four pastry and chocolate schools (two in France, one in Tokyo and one in Brooklyn), L’École Valrhona—for which our guest, chef Sarah Tibbetts, serves as...

Askinosie Chocolate was founded in 2007 in Springfield, USA, by Shawn Askinosie, who left his job as a criminal defense lawyer to pursue his love of chocolate. The company has an articulated commitment to fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact and community enhancement and offers direct-trade chocolate from the Philippines, Ecuador and Tanzania. In this episode, Shawn shares his insights on transitioning from a career in law to working with chocolate, the two-year process...

Askinosie Chocolate was founded in 2007 in Springfield, USA, by Shawn Askinosie, who left his job as a criminal defense lawyer to pursue his love of chocolate. The company has an articulated commitment to fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact and community enhancement and offers direct-trade chocolate from the Philippines, Ecuador and Tanzania. In this episode, Shawn shares his insights on transitioning from a career in law to working with chocolate, the two-year process...

There are so many incredible makers who are part of the emerging craft chocolate movement and bigger markets, we decided to create a series highlighting them. Our Makers Series will introduce you to chocolate makers from all over the world, crafting chocolate at origin and abroad. Join us for interactive chocolate tastings guided by each maker. Hear the stories of origins and inspiration from the very people who created the chocolate. SOMA Chocolatemaker was founded in 2003 by David Castellan...

There are so many incredible makers who are part of the emerging craft chocolate movement and bigger markets, we decided to create a series highlighting them. Our Makers Series will introduce you to chocolate makers from all over the world, crafting chocolate at origin and abroad. Join us for interactive chocolate tastings guided by each maker. Hear the stories of origins and inspiration from the very people who created the chocolate. SOMA Chocolatemaker was founded in 2003 by David...

Part 2: Although cacao’s birthplace is across the upper Amazon in South America, 70 percent of cacao comes from West Africa. In this two-part episode, we’re exploring the history and politics of chocolate and meet the farmers who make it all happen. Last week, you heard from Rick Scobey, president of the World Cocoa Foundation, and author and journalist Órla Ryan, who spoke about the historical significance and present-day cultivation of cocoa in Africa. Today, Simran Bindra, director of...

Although cacao’s birthplace is across the upper Amazon in South America, 70 percent of cacao comes from West Africa. In this two-part episode, we’ll explore the history and politics of chocolate and meet the farmers who make it all happen. In part one, you’ll meet Rick Scobey of the World Cocoa Foundation and author and journalist Órla Ryan, who will talk about the historical significance and present-day cultivation of cocoa in Africa. In part two, Simran Bindra of Kokoa Kamili explains the...

Although cacao’s birthplace is across the upper Amazon in South America, 70 percent of cacao comes from West Africa. In this two-part episode, we’ll explore the history and politics of chocolate and meet the farmers who make it all happen. In part one, you’ll meet Rick Scobey of the World Cocoa Foundation and author and journalist Órla Ryan, who will talk about the historical significance and present-day cultivation of cocoa in Africa. In part two, Simran Bindra of Kokoa Kamili explains the...

The cocoa and chocolate we know and love was born in the upper Amazon and domesticated (turned into chocolate) in Mesoamerica. In this episode, we will explore the history of the food of the gods and, as the leading producer of fine and flavor cocoa, the role Latin America plays in chocolate today. Guests include: Maricel Presilla, chef, culinary historian, author of The New Taste of Chocolate and coordinator of the International Chocolate Awards, on the history of cacao and cocoa. *Visit...

The cocoa and chocolate we know and love was born in the upper Amazon and domesticated (turned into chocolate) in Mesoamerica. In this episode, we will explore the history of the food of the gods and, as the leading producer of fine and flavor cocoa, the role Latin America plays in chocolate today. Guests include: Maricel Presilla, chef, culinary historian, author of The New Taste of Chocolate and coordinator of the International Chocolate Awards, on the history of cacao and cocoa. Chloé...

The specialty chocolate industry has grown exponentially but is still in the process of defining itself. We will explore this evolving industry and some of the leaders who are helping shape it. Guests include: Clay Gordon, author of Discover Chocolate, and creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com. Karen Bryant, executive director of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association. Greg D’Alesandre, chocolate sourcerer at Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco, CA. Sunita de Tourreil, founder of...