Some Favorite Bars & Makers in 2024 | #PodSaveChocolate Ep89

When and Where to Watch

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Episode 89 Overview I did not do a whole lot of traveling in 2024. There was the Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Festival in Albuquerque in April, a trip to…

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Some Favorite Bars of 2024 | #PodSaveChocolate Ep89

Other event by TheChocolateLife on Tuesday, December 31 2024

#PodSaveChocolate Ep89

Episode 89 Overview

I did not do a whole lot of traveling in 2024.

There was the Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Festival in Albuquerque in April, a trip to Brussels at the end of October, and the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival towards the end of November. Along the way and to and from I spent time in Chicago and Cincinnati.

I was also a judge for the Craft Chocolat Challenge (entries for 2025 are still being accepted). I also received some bars to review.

So in some respects the range of choices to choose from is on the lower side than it sometimes is. But – nonetheless – here is my take on what I ate this year on bars and makers you might consider for 2025.

Red River Gorge Lodging | Beattyville | Bean to Bar Chocolate

Modern getaway near the Red River Gorge area. Bean to Bar Chocolate, baked goods and specialty coffee. Free high-speed internet.

chocolat-inn

Maker Links (18)

In alphabetical order.

A

Fine Vegan and Gluten-free Chocolate | Amore di Mona

We make fine couverture chocolate that is free of all common allergens, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. Each batch is crafted by hand in Louisville, KY.

Amore di Mona

Award-Winning Artisan Chocolate Bars - Argencove

Experience award-winning artisan chocolate bars. This fine artisan chocolate is born from a fully integrated operation from farm to table. Shop Now!

ArgencoveAnielka G.W.

B

Blue Spruce Chocolates

Hand-made bean-to-bar chocolates created daily in the foothills of the Rockies from the highest quality organic ingredients.

Blue Spruce Chocolates

C

Cacaitos Colombian Fine Cacao

Cacaitos | Bean to Bar Chocolate | Origin Chocolate

Cacaitos

Chicago Chocolate Shop | Chocs ’N Boxes Official Site

Explore Chocs ’N Boxes, the ultimate Chicago Chocolate Shop, for Chocolate Bars, Bonbons, Pralines, Truffles, Dragees, Pili Spreads, and more!

Chocs 'N Boxes

SEASON THREE | Craft Chocolat Chall

Craft Chocolat Chall

E

Embers Chocolate – Telling Stories Through Unique Flavors

logo_embers_round

F

Home

Lokalprodusert Bean to bar sjokolade av fantastisk smaksrike kakaobønner

Fjorden sjokolade

H

HOME - Heinde & Verre

N A T U R A L R I C H C H O C O L A T E The natural flavours of high quality cacao are complex and rich. You will be thrilled to discover that chocolate is only one of the many flavours cacao may reveal. Heinde & Verre’s philosophy is to source only the best cacao beans and use slow food techniques. All this […]

Heinde & Verre

M

Interview & Tasting: Magno Chocolates, Colombia | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 46 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview and tasting with Nataly Nicholls, founder of Magno Chocolates (Medellin, Colombia).

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Maverick Chocolate Bean To Bar Chocolate Factory

Maverick Chocolate is a craft bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Cincinnati, OH. Our chocolate is handcrafted in small batches from bean to the finished bar using only ethically sourced cacao beans-bought directly from farms and co-ops at sustainable prices. Vegan. Soy free. Sugar free. Buy online or in our two stores.

MaverickChocolateMaverickChocolate

Mirzam Chocolate – Caputo’s Market & Deli

Caputo's Market & Deli

Monsoon Chocolate

We’re Monsoon Chocolate, an award-winning chocolate maker and confectioner based in the Sonoran Desert. Drawing inspiration from local ingredients, we craft chocolate bars, bon bons, confections, desserts, and beverages using transparently-sourced cacao from all over the world.

Monsoon ChocolateFood & Wine

O

Omnom Chocolate Reykjavík - Iceland Store

Omnom Chocolate is the only bean to bar chocolate maker in Iceland. Our mission is to make the best quality chocolate from the highest quality ingredients. Omnom produces small-batch, “bean-to-bar” chocolate, using the finest cacao beans sourced worldwide.

Omnom Chocolate

Bean To Bar Craft Chocolate | Orinoco Chocolate Co. | Prescott, Arizona

Bean to bar craft chocolate shipped worldwide. Handmade in small batches with maple sugar. Allergen, vegan and keto friendly. Gluten free, soy free, peanut free, refined sugar free.

Orinoco Chocolate Co

P

Pump Street Chocolate: Bakers and Chocolate Makers

Buy the finest British craft chocolate bars, sourdough bread and handmade pastries. Order a delivery straight to your home. Whether it’s a treat for yourself or a gift for a loved one, try our single farm, bean to bar chocolate and freshly baked loaves.

Pump Street ChocolatePump Street Chocolate

S

Z

Buy Zotter Chocolates Online in the USA at ZotterUSA.Com

Experience the decadence of Zotter Chocolates – organic, fair-trade delights. Order online in the USA at ZotterUSA.com for a taste of artisanal chocolate perfection.

Zotter Chocolates | Bean To Bar, Organic and Fair-Traded Chocolateadmin

Other 2024 Tastings (7) and Travelogs (4)

Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Roundup & 2025 Craft Chocolat Challenge | #PodSaveChocolate Ep84

Episode 84 of #PodSaveChocolate features 1) a roundup of the recent inaugural Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival in Rushville, IN; 2) tastings of chocolate from exhibitors; and 3) announcing that entries are being accepted for the 2025 Craft Chocolat Challenge – 4th edition. [ Updated on 12/4. ]

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Brussels Overloaded Revisited

The last time I was in Brussels was late March 2020, just as COVID lockdowns were being introduced. Four years later I returned, wondering how the Brussels chocolate scene has changed.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

SW Chocolate & Coffee Fest Trip Report & Travelogue | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 34 of #PodSaveChocolate is a presentation of my impressions of the 2024 Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest as a first-time participant – traveler, presenter, judge, and guest.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Holiday 2024 Tasting & Gifting Guide | #PodSaveChocolate Ep86

Episode 86 of #PodSaveChocolate is my holiday gifting guide for the chocolate fans in your life ... and yourself ... featuring bars from exhibitors at the recent Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Review: AlterEco

A PR company for AlterEco emailed me asking if I wanted to review some products and interview the CEO. Here is my review of the seven products I was sent. Disclaimer I did not pay for these products, and was not offered any compensation for my review.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Interview & Tasting: Chocolat Moderne | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 48 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview and tasting with Joan Coukos, founder of Chocolat Moderne (NYC).

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Interview & Tasting: Mashpi Chocolate, Ecuador | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 41 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview and tasting with and of Mashpi Chocolate, Ecuador.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Interview & Tasting: Mark Burrows Pollinator Chocolate | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 39 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview and tasting with Mark Burrows, founder of Pollinator Chocolate, Carbondale, CO.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

UPDATED: 2024 Craft Chocolat Challenge Awards Show | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 33 of #PodSaveChocolate is dedicated to presenting the winners of the 2024 Craft Chocolat Challenge.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Sweet Vegan Chocolates Interview & Tasting | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 27 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview with Chef Andrea Young of Sweet Vegan Chocolates (NYC) and a live tasting!

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Yojoa Honduran Chocolate w/ Elmer Pineda | #PodSaveChocolate

Episode 14 of #PodSaveChocolate features an interview and live tasting with award-winning Honduran chocolate maker Elmer Pineda, Yojoa Chocolate.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Questions?

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