Confessions of a Chocolatier

As much as I love the idea of  organic chocolate, I am usually put off by the texture. More  often than not I find it to be grainy or chalky. Recently I discovered there really is exceptional organic chocolate out there. When I speak of exceptional, I’m talking about a chocolate bar that you just can’t seem to put down. I’m excited and pleased to announce that these types of bars are finally popping up at our local grocers markets and for a reasonable cost! Enter, Theo Chocolate.

Based out of Seattle WA, Theo prides itself in being the first and only organic and Fair Trade chocolate factory in the US. Of course this grabbed my attention and besides great taste, one of the bars best features is it’s form. I love myself a thin chocolate bar and enjoy the freedom to portion it in anyway I see fit. This is possible by the absence of  dozens of small predetermined “bite-size” pieces. But the most amazing  part about a quality, high percentage chocolate bar is how satisfied you can be with just a small piece, or two.

I first discovered Theo at my local Wholefoods, where I picked up their 70% bar.  I found its flavor to be pretty straight up chocolate, like a classic fudge brownie. A decent organic bar, although slightly unmemorable on it’s own.

Then Santa, (the good man that he is) slipped this 91% single origin Costa Rican bar into my stocking. It’s hard to believe that 91% cacao could seem sweeter than 70%,  but it can! This must be because of the type and/or origin of these beans, which are incredibly fruity. I have always fancied single origin chocolate on the fruity side, not to mention that this bar is by far the smoothest organic chocolate I have ever had, making it my new favorite!

After daydreaming of Theo chocolate I notice a few of their other bars at my local grocery store, Pavilions. Because I think 4$ is a modest price for such quality, I picked up all three! And while I believed the orange to be too subtle and the Spicy Chile to be too hot I almost ate the whole Cherry & Almond bar in one sitting! The combo of salty roasted almond bits and tart dried cherries is truly an exceptional one. Bravo Theo!

I can’t wait to try more of Theo’s bars as well as some of their other chocolates. I even hope to visit their shop and take the factory tour next time I am in Seattle!