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Bean to bar chocolate

Bean to bar chocolate
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  • Bean to bar chocolate

    Post #1 - December 4th, 2023, 7:09 pm
    Post #1 - December 4th, 2023, 7:09 pm Post #1 - December 4th, 2023, 7:09 pm
    Hi all. Longtime LTH appreciator/very infrequent poster here. I thought I'd see if there might be some chocoholics here - specifically for craft chocolate/bean-to-bar chocolate (technically all chocolate - Hersheys, Nestle - is "bean to bar" in that part of the cocoa mass comes from cacao beans, but the "bean-to-bar" descriptor seems to be more widespread than "craft chocolate" as a way to distinguish quality from mass-produced chocolate).

    Anyway, over the last year or so I've gotten quite into learning about cacao as an agricultural product - presumably along the same lines of how folks get into learning about coffee: discovering how a seed covered in acidic pulp becomes what we know as chocolate; appreciating the skill and patience it takes to make a high quality chocolate product with nuanced flavor; tasting some flavor commonalities/terroir specific to beans grown in particular regions; learning about the problematic labor issues with most supermarket chocolate, etc.

    Most of my knowledge and curiosity has been fulfilled through virtual tastings and lessons. I haven't yet connected with anyone in the Chicago area with this shared interest. If anyone is interested, or curious, I think it could be fun to meet up and share good chocolate or perhaps take a field trip. We have some excellent craft chocolate makers right here: Sleepwalk Chocolateria in Pilsen and Chocs n' Boxes in Norridge. Both just won awards in an international craft chocolate competition. https://enter.chocolateawards.com/compe ... 3-winners/

    Thanks,
    Lauren
  • Post #2 - December 4th, 2023, 8:34 pm
    Post #2 - December 4th, 2023, 8:34 pm Post #2 - December 4th, 2023, 8:34 pm
    I adore chocolate, but I can't say I know anything about specific brands. I've always thought Vosges has some wonderful flavor combinations, but at the same time I can just enjoy something like an 80%+ Lindt bar.

    I think Bean to Bar usually means they do all the processing, versus buying cocoa mass from one of the big producers.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #3 - December 4th, 2023, 10:50 pm
    Post #3 - December 4th, 2023, 10:50 pm Post #3 - December 4th, 2023, 10:50 pm
    I get my daily chocolate fix by skipping that transition to the bar. I use Crio Bru, which is roasted and ground cacao beans that you brew just like coffee (I use a French press). Really fabulous. https://criobru.com/

    But if you do want bars, I'm with you -- one need not buy Vosges to get that glorious chocolate experience.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #4 - December 5th, 2023, 7:05 pm
    Post #4 - December 5th, 2023, 7:05 pm Post #4 - December 5th, 2023, 7:05 pm
    Cynthia wrote:But if you do want bars, I'm with you -- one need not buy Vosges to get that glorious chocolate experience.

    Honestly, with Vosges it's less about the cacao and more about their deft hand with other flavors.

    Now I'm thinking about breakfast of xocolat y xurros in Barcelona. It's been a while.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #5 - December 5th, 2023, 9:45 pm
    Post #5 - December 5th, 2023, 9:45 pm Post #5 - December 5th, 2023, 9:45 pm
    LaurenL wrote:Most of my knowledge and curiosity has been fulfilled through virtual tastings and lessons. I haven't yet connected with anyone in the Chicago area with this shared interest. If anyone is interested, or curious, I think it could be fun to meet up and share good chocolate or perhaps take a field trip. We have some excellent craft chocolate makers right here: Sleepwalk Chocolateria in Pilsen and Chocs n' Boxes in Norridge. Both just won awards in an international craft chocolate competition. https://enter.chocolateawards.com/compe ... 3-winners/

    I had no idea Dark Matter had gotten into the chocolate making business (Sleepwalk is theirs). I'm going to have to check that out.

    Finding things made here could be fun but I think the best resource in Chicago for putting a quality tasting together would be to go to Cocoa + Co on Wells. Their wall of chocolate bars has the most impressive selection I've seen around here.
  • Post #6 - December 6th, 2023, 8:42 am
    Post #6 - December 6th, 2023, 8:42 am Post #6 - December 6th, 2023, 8:42 am
    MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:I had no idea Dark Matter had gotten into the chocolate making business (Sleepwalk is theirs). I'm going to have to check that out.

    Indeed - I neglected to mention that. And it seems they've done well for themselves as far as gaining recognition and awards in a fairly short period of time. Sleepwalk's bars are definitely worth trying and I believe are available at most (all?) Dark Matter locations. They just released, with Rick Bayless, a line of bars with Mexican flavors (mole, mezcal, tequila, guajillo) that I'm excited to try. And occasionally Dark Matter shops offer chocolate truffles made at Sleepwalk.

    Thank you for the Cocoa & Co suggestion - they definitely sell some excellent craft chocolate, including - last time I checked - bars from Soma in Canada (which, imho, are some of the best out there).
  • Post #7 - December 13th, 2023, 8:09 pm
    Post #7 - December 13th, 2023, 8:09 pm Post #7 - December 13th, 2023, 8:09 pm
    I have mostly gotten away from listening to podcasts (The "Infinite Dial" of Internet radio stations), but Bean To Barstool is one which has solid content on this topic. :)
    Valuable links for survival, without the monetization attempt: https://pqrs-ltd.xyz/bookmark4.html
  • Post #8 - December 13th, 2023, 8:31 pm
    Post #8 - December 13th, 2023, 8:31 pm Post #8 - December 13th, 2023, 8:31 pm
    pudgym29 wrote: I have mostly gotten away from listening to podcasts (The "Infinite Dial" of Internet radio stations), but Bean To Barstool is one which has solid content on this topic. :)


    Bean to Barstool is a wonderful podcast (and a great name). I really appreciate how David never lets his expertise take the reins from his curiosity. He’s a very talented storyteller and interviewer.

    This limited-series podcast on the subject is also worth a listen: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-obs ... 103468390/

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