Hi Sabrina,
You might want to try Andy Greenberg" at unionstandard@unionmachinery.com
They usually specialize in larger usedequipment, but may have some smaller items around.
Good Luck,
John R.
Hi Jessica,
You might want to reach out to Vanessa at http://www.gnosischocolate.com/ . Gnosis makes some good raw chocolate, and Vanessa is quite helpful. You can say the John from Travel Chocolate suggested that you contact her. Good luck! John R.
Hey Brad,
I just got a sample of about a lb. Where can I send you some? Thanks John R.
Thanks for the tip Sebastian. I will be on guard. John R.
Hi Brad,
I will follow-up with regards to samples and pricing.
Thank you,
John R.
I got a frantic email from someone who claimsto have:
raw cocoa beans from Tanzania. We have about 25 tons stored in New Jersey. The bean count is 108pcs/100gr. They are conventional grown. The cocoa has been fumigated. Certifications are expensive and the farmers dont have the money to get certified. However, the quality is excellent. Tanzanian cocoa beans are great to blend with other cocoa beans. They have a fruity flavor. There is no issue with mold. They are properly fermented. The only issue is the size counts of 108pc/100 grams is giving us a hard time to move. The terms of sale would be payment after inspection at yours or your buyers facility. The farmers have a capacity to supply 2500 tons annually
I realize this may sound "spammy", and yet there is enough detail to suggests this is a legitimate request.
Does anyone want, or know someone who wants, these beans?
Thank you,
John R.
Thanks Adam, For the tip. I will check it out. John R.
I have exchanged some emails with someone that in their own words:
. has a requirement for chocolate coated coffee beans. The types of coatings we need are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, hazelnut chocolate and caramel chocolate (layer of caramel covered by a layer of chocolate). We are also interested in spiced chocolate or chai flavors coating. The shape of the final product should maintain the shape of the coffee bean. Is this possible? We will supply the roasted coffee beans to you but need your help to do the chocolate coatings. The requirements will 2000-5000 pounds per month
When I responded that it seems like a panning machine would do the job here, the potential customer seemed skeptical indicating that the resulting coated coffee beans need would to maintain the shape of the coffee bean, and that a panning machine would not work.
Any thoughts on this project? Follow-up questions I should ask? Estimated costs? Thanks! John R. Travel Chocolate LLC
If your recipes are simple, and can work with flow wrap as packaking, thenyou might get someone interested at minimun runs at 50,000 bars. Hand wrapping is possible at 5,000 bars, but the costs are too high to sell with distributor mark-ups. Perhaps if you sell direct, and build up volume until you are big enough for machine wrapping, that might work. Thank you, and good luck. John R
CL,
Premade truffle shells are the way to go, as you need to make extremely high volumes to justify doing it yourself.
And with truffles, the sweet, creamy center is what counts the most! 
Good luck,
John R.
Although by now it is old news, one has to admit that the first time they saw a Voges Chocolate Bacon Bar they likley raised an eyebrow. I know I did, and then Iwas hooked after one bite! John R.
