Chocolate 101

How Chocolate is Made

From harvest and fermenting, to conching and molding – learn the ins and outs of how the magic happens. After all, how can you call yourself a chocolate fanatic, if you don’t know how it’s made?

drawing of cocoa farmer harvesting beans
inside of a fresh cocoa pod

Where Do Cocoa Beans Grow?

Did you know that chocolate is made from the beans of the Theobroma cacao tree? Learn about where cacao beans come from, what area of the world is designated as the "cocoa belt", the different varieties of cacao, and which countries produce the most cocoa.

You Say Cocoa, I Say Cacao

What is cacao? Discover the difference between the two terms, learn how to use cacao nibs, and finally understand what it means when a chocolate bar is labelled 70% cocoa.

scooping cocoa beans into a melanger
pile of dark chocolate blocks

Types of Chocolate

What exactly makes milk chocolate different from white chocolate? Learn about the different types of chocolate from best uses and characteristics, to different flavor profiles, shelf life, and more! Our experts cover it all...

Keep it Fresh

For those rare moments when you don’t eat it right away, explore our tips and techniques for how to properly store your chocolate.

stack of milk and dark chocolate bars
stack of chocolate bars without bloom

What is Chocolate Bloom?

Have you unwrapped your chocolate to find it covered in a white haze? Unfortunately, it means your chocolate has bloomed. Learn about the different kinds, what causes it, and how to prevent chocolate bloom.

Is Chocolate Vegan?

Did you know that vegans can eat chocolate? Rejoice! Find out more about what vegan chocolate is, where you can find it, and get some awesome chocolate vegan recipes you can make at home!

plate of dark chocolate almond bark
close-up of gourmet chocolate truffles on a table

Let's Talk Chocolate

From semisweet to bittersweet and gianduja and ganache, there sure are a lot of different terms for chocolate. Explore what they all mean, and more.

Chocolate Facts

Did you know that chocolate grows on trees? Sounds too good to be true, right?! Indulge your inner chocolate lover by learning about cacao trees and other fun facts all about chocolate.

tree full of cocoa pods