Blogs

Root Chocolate - Advice from experts


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-10-06

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with twotrue chocolate experts. The first was Chloe Doutre-Roussel, author of The Chocolate Connoisseur . We sat at Dandelion in San Francisco, where she was doing a book signing on her way up to the Northwest Chocolate Festival lastweekend.

The second expert was Tad Van Leer. Ill go into detail about my conversation with Mr. Van Leer I learned a lot!

Read more on the Root Chocolate blog:

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/10/06/expert_advice/

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Root Chocolate - Madagascar batch


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-10-04
We wish we could be in two places at once this weekend. We're enjoying our visit to Kansas City for a wedding and spending time with family. We wish we could also be at NW Chocolate Festival!Instead of meeting us in person, learn more about our most recent batch of homemade chocolate!Check out our most batch of Madagascar chocolate at Root Chocolate! http://rootchocolate.com/2014/10/04/madagascar_batch/
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Cottage Food Operation & Chocolate


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-10-02

You may be wondering when were going to get on with making this delicious hobby into a business. Well, were not quite there yet, but Ill shareone option were considering: the CFO or Cottage Food Operation.

First of all, to operate a food business is no easy task, particularly in thislitigious society of ours where McDonalds needs to label coffee as hot andNytol has to label sleeping tablets with may cause drowsiness . There are quite a few licenses and permits and certifications required before one is legally able to sell food in the United States, and in our case, in San Mateo County, California. Specifically, the ability to make and sell food from a home kitchen raised enough interest that California passed a law that went into effect January 1, 2013, called the California Homemade Food Act .

Read more on the Root Chocolate blog:

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/10/02/cfo_and_chocolate/

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Importing Cocoa Beans


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-25

One of the implications of wanting to partner directly with cacao farmers is learning how to import cocoa beans.

My first ever post on The Chocolate Life was a naive call for small-scale farmers to send me their beans. Little did I know that one of the biggest hurdles to starting a from the bean chocolate business is obtaining high quality, well-fermented cocoa beans! And collaboration is the best way to a successful importation process.

Read more here: http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/25/importing_cocoa_beans/

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Root Chocolate - Chocolate Texture


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-22

At Root Chocolate, we've learned a lot since our first batch of chocolate and are starting to churn out more professional chocolate. However, we love the accessibility of our first recipe and its simplicity. Learn more about the biggest difference between our first and most recent batch, and what we have to say about keeping chocolate-making accessible!

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/22/chocolate_texture/

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Root Chocolate - Slow Food


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-18

A better, cleaner and fairer world begins with what we put on our plates and our daily choices determine the future of the environment, economy and society. Slow Food USA

This is so relevant to those of us who make chocolate at home and who take the time to create chocolate from the bean. Read more on the blog:

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/18/slow_food/

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A visit with local chocolate makers


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-15
Richard and I took our Root Chocolate selves over to visit another couple of local chocolate makers and we are so honored to count David and Leslie among our new chocolate - making community now! Learn more here: http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/15/arete/
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Siriana Cacao


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-11

Read about our experience making chocolate with Siriana Cacao today on the blog:

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/11/siriana_cacao/

Thanks, Piper!

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Supply chain and chocolate


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-08

What does supply chain have to do with chocolate? Read more on the blog about my personal connection to supply chain consciousness!

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/08/supply_chain/

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Tempering and Bloom


By Landen Zernickow, 2014-09-04

Check out today's post on our experience with tempering and bloom. This has been one of the most evasive parts of making chocolate and we're looking for advice from the experts. Read about our attempts and let us know what you suggest!

http://rootchocolate.com/2014/09/04/tempering_and_bloom/

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