Forum Activity for @Jeff

American, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers: A Complete List

Posted in: Tasting Notes

you can add us to the list. we have made 4 outstanding chocolates from beans from venezuela, DR, and ecuador....all used in bon bons in out store....another shark in the pool....

A Gaffe of Amazonian Proportions?

Posted in: Opinion

ah the old child labor conundrum.here is the deal folks. Wether or not iit is "fair trade', which BTW is a crock of s**t when it comes to the contracts that transfair USA makes the farmers sign....another issue...Most cacao farms are small family run operations in , well....you know where they are. Excluding african sources lets take a moment and think about what it takes for a subsistance farmer of cacao to bring in his crop. We'll start with latin america. predominantly catholic through genocide, the prevailing culture is one of "family", large families. If you have X number of children to feed and you grow cacao it is only natural for the whole family to be involved in the harvesting and processing of the crop. This is NOT child slavery, this is family farming. Most of the small co-operatives in the organic/fair trade niche are just that, family run orchards. There is nothing wrong with having your family work the fields. This is different than the forced child labor we read about years ago in africa.As a small farmer myself I too get my whole family involved in the harvesting of my crops. If we dont all pitch in it dies on the vine so to speak and my daughter helps gladly---sometimes---but I have not had to beat her to do it.....yet...j/k

Its Grand Opening time!!!!

Posted in: News & New Product Press

Thank you all!Tonight is "Guys Night" where a local brewer is bringing 3 of his better ales, porters and stouts to pair with a few select flavors. Should be fun and if it ends up like last night's "Ladies Night" - a wine and chocolate event we did where at one point there were 200 wild women on wine and chocolate in my store at one time- its should prove be quite the night. I doubt I will get as many lascivious propositions from the guys......... but you never know....

Its Grand Opening time!!!!

Posted in: News & New Product Press

WOW! What a trip!The food drive that is a core part of our opening has been wonderful! The community really got behind the "bring a can-get a chocolate" concept and the food bank hauled away to 55gallon drums yesterdat filled to the brim with non-perishable food stuffs. Well over 800lbs so far and we have all weekend to go!Check out my daughter and I.... www.access-inc.org

Its Grand Opening time!!!!

Posted in: News & New Product Press

thanks gwen. you may be waiting a long time for the washington crowd to figure out anything, whatsoever....

Its Grand Opening time!!!!

Posted in: News & New Product Press

We are finally doing it! Actually having a Grand Opening of our new retail/factory space. It has been a wild ride. 6 years of constant struggle, nightmare hours, money bleeding, and pure angst.Sounds like fun eh?Well it is an entire week of events complete with a dual chamber "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony", Senior discount day, ladies night with a wine pairing, Guys Night with a beer pairing, "Wear your favorite tie-dye day", and a super secret stealth private party for 500 people. We are also paired up the local food bank and everyone who brings a non-perishable food item for the barrel gets a free chocolate from the case.I am really thrilled with our new location. The exhibition kitchen is very open and people LOVE being able to watch us make stuff. Its a huge bonus for our county as it brings tourists and, hopefully, $$$ to us.Anyway;....the festivities start on April 5th. call us or go our website for details. www.lilliebellefarms.com
updated by @Jeff: 04/10/15 09:08:41

Review of "The Chocolate Guide: Western Edition"

Posted in: Opinion

Dont get me started.Perfect review clay.

What Makes an Artisan Chocolate Artisan?

Posted in: Opinion

You want a real "Artisan Chocolatier" edward?Then call me. 1-888-899-2022I make sooooo many things that ONLY sell in my shop that have a 1-2 week shelf life its not even funny.Seriously, follow my links/name and I will sell you the best artisan style chocolates avaialable in america.Guarenteed.jeff

What Makes an Artisan Chocolate Artisan?

Posted in: Opinion

ok. so maybe reek is not the right term when dealing with cocoa butter and chocolate but you got the point. alas that is still not a requirement I suppose.I do not have another term for what we do.Chocolate mechanic?Cacao Wower?Bar Bitch?Mould Jockey?Enrobing Slave?For now chocolate artisan is workin, but, as you see, it is being usurped by conglomerates and is misleading.. I thought the article in that issue of Cocoaroma where the "ask stan" section dealt with it was pretty good. I'll see if i can copy and paste it here....

What Makes an Artisan Chocolate Artisan?

Posted in: Opinion

Well ....the old dreaded "Artisan " word....I remember when dagoba got their big line a few years ago that would crank out 500,000 bars a day. I told them that day they were off the "Artisan Roll Call"; now they have been bought by Hersheys' "Artisan Chocolate Division".....go figure...I feel that if you dont go home at night reeking of cocoa butter and have chocolate stained clothes and cuticles you probably are NOT a chocolate artisan....I still use the term but I am loathe to do so now.......it has come to mean nothing in the marketplace.....