Are you ready for it?

There are a few chocolate moments in life that are universally recognized.

• The twinge of excitement when you know you’re about to get yourself a chocolate bar
• The sound of unwrapping a new chocolate bar
• The mixed feelings of heartbreak and anticipation as you make the ultimate decision between your chosen one (and possibly cheeky two) chocolate bars
• (yes we take it that seriously)

And this decision has evolved over time

• From pleading with our parent for just one more treat
• To making deals with our siblings to figure out the best “take home combo”
• And then finally resisting the freedom to do what we want and buy whatever our tastebuds crave most

But… there’s a glitch in the system. Chocolate isn’t what it used to be when we were kids.

To clarify, we can still find the same old bars we’ve loved for years. The chocolate aisles that we’ve browsed (or even heavily inspected) over the years haven’t evolved that much over time. And each bar that we’re choosing between has a very similar flavor base. There are a few additional flavors (be it caramels, biscuits, nut or even popping candy) – but we almost always know what we’re in for.

The excitement is missing. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Remember how you felt as a child when you brought home a new and exciting chocolate bar? Do you get that excited about chocolate anymore?”

– a diehard chocoholic

Children are ecstatic when they receive a chocolate bar – and probably uncontrollably so. And we’ve found a way to make sure adult can get that same hit of wonder too.

Craft Chocolate Festivals are bringing it all back

Forget the fluorescently lit, uneventful grocery store aisle, with the same packaging (and possibly the odd line extension) to choose between.

Picture an entire hall filled with chocolate.

The first thing that hits you is that familiar chocolate-y smell wafting through the air. It’s rich and soul warming.

And then you find yourself in a huge space dedicated to a level of chocolate you rarely find at your grocery store.

Table after table, stall after stall, you’re met with an endless selection of bars where each chocolate bar is unique.

You get to meet the chocolate makers who pour their heart and soul into each bar, and you can learn about their infectiously inspiring stories firsthand.

And every chocolate bar you’re lucky enough to get your tastebuds on has been made by these makers from scratch. Right from the little cacao beans to a bar that just explodes with flavor.

We see it as a little tropical holiday.

One moment you’re melting away with natural sour cherry flavors in a chocolate bar made from Madagascan beans grown in the Sambirano Valley, and the next you’re surprised by the sneaky citrus notes from beans grown in a little farm in Kerala, India.

No bitter after taste, no bland tacky mouthfeel. After each sample, you’re left with a flavor that you can enjoy for the longest time.

Plus the chocolate makers also get adventurous themselves. They know their cacao beans, and they know the flavors in their bars and the use this to their advantage to add even more flavors to create unforgettably, unique chocolate bars.

If you’re keen for more or not quite sure where to start look for:

• Guided tastings that help you find and enjoy the nuances and complexities of different bars.
• Workshops and live demonstrations, where you can learn the art of chocolate-making and get excited about where the world of craft chocolate is going and why it has such a stronghold on chocolate lovers (including us!)
• More than chocolate bars! Discover a range of chocolate products, including beverages, baked goods, and in some cases even competitions and art displays.

And the community and chocolate connections are what get us the most excited.

We’re not sure what it is, but there’s something special about a room filled with people that love chocolate to the point they want to make it the best it can be. Chocolate bars barely changed since it was commercialized in the 1860s but something changed in the last couple of decades and we’re here for it. All of it. From the huge range of natural flavors in chocolate to how it can be sustainably grown and how chocolate eaters can actually support cacao farmers.

So if you can (and if you want to!) try and make chocolate exciting again.

There’s a whole world of chocolate we didn’t know existed and there’s a huge community of chocolate lovers that are right behind it. And it’s just the best.

Don’t leave behind those sweet childhood memories of finding something new, admiring a new wrapper and just getting lost in that chocolate-y goodness.

It’s right here waiting for you.

Link –> Find a list of Craft Chocolate Festivals here!

Here’s a taster of what’s coming up:

• Chocolate & Coffee Festival New Zealand 2024 – Auckland, New Zealand
  • Dates: September 28 2024 – September 29 2024
• Pennsylvania Chocolate & Coffee Festival – Pennsylvania, United States
  • Dates: September 28 2024 – September 29 2024
• The Northwest Chocolate Festival – Washington, United States
  • Dates: October 4 2024 – October 6 2024
• Brighton Chocolate Festival – Brighton, United Kingdom
  • Dates: October 5 2024 – October 6 2024
• Chocolat Portugal – Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Dates: October 24 2024 – October 27 2024
• The Ottawa Chocolate Show – Ottawa, Canada
  • Dates: October 26 2024
• Salon du Chocolat – Paris, France
  • Dates: October 30 2024 – November 3 2024
• Salon du Chocolat – New York, United States
  • Dates: November 8 2024 – November 10 2024

And so, so, SO many more.

What makes the bean to bar section of the chocolate industry special is that everyone involved in the end to end chocolate making process is valued.

From the farmers that grow, harvest and prepare the beans, to the makers that craft their chocolate bars and finally to us chocolate eaters (and if you’re like us, we’re always hunting for that next best treat!).

So join us! There are craft chocolate festivals happening all over the world this season. We hope to see you somewhere chocolate-y. Let us know what you get up to!

Where to next?

Well if you’re new, we recommend:

And if you’re curious, we recommend:

And if you’re still not so sure, check out what events or makers are in your area:

Talk Beans with us!

Got any questions? Feedback? Want to hi say? Reach out below – we’re always happy to chat!

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