Artisanal Chocolate Maker Profiles - Meet the Producers

Introduction

Artisanal chocolate making has become increasingly popular in recent years as people look for high-quality, ethically-sourced chocolate. These small-scale, independent producers are dedicated to crafting chocolate that is not only delicious but also sustainable and socially responsible. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the top artisanal chocolate makers around the world and learn about their unique approaches to chocolate making.

Askinosie Chocolate - Springfield, Missouri

Askinosie Chocolate was founded in 2005 by former criminal defense lawyer Shawn Askinosie. Askinosie Chocolate is known for its direct trade relationships with cocoa farmers in places like Ecuador, Tanzania, and the Philippines. Askinosie personally visits these farmers to ensure that they receive a fair wage and that the cocoa is of the highest quality.

Askinosie also gives back to the community by donating a portion of the company's profits to local causes. Some of these causes include programs to combat hunger and poverty in the Springfield area where the company is based.

Mast Brothers Chocolate - Brooklyn, New York

Mast Brothers Chocolate was founded in 2007 by brothers Rick and Michael Mast. The company is known for its stunning visual presentation of its chocolates, each of which is wrapped in beautiful, colorful packaging.

But the beauty of Mast Brothers Chocolate goes beyond just its packaging. The Mast brothers are dedicated to sourcing only the highest quality cocoa beans from around the world. They also use traditional chocolate making methods, such as stone grinders, to create a chocolate that is both rich and complex in flavor.

Taza Chocolate - Somerville, Massachusetts

Taza Chocolate was founded in 2005 by Alex Whitmore and Kathleen Fulton. The company is known for its unique approach to chocolate making, which includes using traditional Mexican stone mills to grind the cocoa beans. This process creates a chocolate that has a gritty, textured feel and a rustic, earthy flavor.

Taza Chocolate is also committed to ethical sourcing, working directly with farmers in places like the Dominican Republic and Haiti to ensure that they receive a fair wage for their work. The company also pays a premium for organic cocoa.

Patric Chocolate - Columbia, Missouri

Patric Chocolate was founded in 2006 by Alan McClure. The company is known for its obsessive attention to detail and its commitment to using only the highest quality cocoa beans.

Patric Chocolate is also dedicated to transparency in its sourcing. The company provides detailed information about each of the cocoa beans it uses on its website, including where they were grown and how they were processed.

Dandelion Chocolate - San Francisco, California

Dandelion Chocolate was founded in 2010 by Todd Masonis and Cameron Ring. The company is known for its unique approach to chocolate making, which involves roasting cocoa beans in small batches to bring out the natural flavor of the cocoa.

Dandelion Chocolate is also committed to working directly with farmers to ensure that they receive a fair wage and that the cocoa is of the highest quality. The company has partnerships with farmers in places like Madagascar and Colombia.

Conclusion

Artisanal chocolate makers are dedicated to creating chocolate that is not only delicious but also sustainable and socially responsible. By working directly with farmers and using traditional methods, these producers are changing the way we think about chocolate. Whether you're looking for a bold, earthy flavor or something sweet and creamy, there's an artisanal chocolate maker out there for you.