Chocolate Education

What is "bean-to-bar" craft chocolate?

Larry Duran

Summary: When we and other chocolate makers refer to our chocolate products as “bean to bar” and “craft” we are making two claims. One is about the process. The other...

What is "bean-to-bar" craft chocolate?

Larry Duran

Summary: When we and other chocolate makers refer to our chocolate products as “bean to bar” and “craft” we are making two claims. One is about the process. The other...

Understanding Chocolate Percentages

Larry Duran

If you’ve ever looked at a chocolate bar and seen percentages like 70%, 85%, or 100%, you might have wondered: What do those numbers actually mean? This is one of...

Understanding Chocolate Percentages

Larry Duran

If you’ve ever looked at a chocolate bar and seen percentages like 70%, 85%, or 100%, you might have wondered: What do those numbers actually mean? This is one of...

Chocolate Storage

Larry Duran

One of the questions we are getting more frequently is about the shelf life of our chocolate bars and optimal storage conditions.  It is easier to think about this from...

Chocolate Storage

Larry Duran

One of the questions we are getting more frequently is about the shelf life of our chocolate bars and optimal storage conditions.  It is easier to think about this from...

What is "craft" chocolate

Larry Duran

Summary: In a prior post, we discussed what we mean by “bean to bar.”  When we and other chocolate makers refer to our chocolate products as “bean to bar” and “craft” we...

What is "craft" chocolate

Larry Duran

Summary: In a prior post, we discussed what we mean by “bean to bar.”  When we and other chocolate makers refer to our chocolate products as “bean to bar” and “craft” we...

The role of aroma and smelling in the flavors w...

Larry Duran

When we talk about flavor, most of what we think we “taste” is actually aromas we smell. Our sense of smell plays a huge role in flavor perception. Without it,...

The role of aroma and smelling in the flavors w...

Larry Duran

When we talk about flavor, most of what we think we “taste” is actually aromas we smell. Our sense of smell plays a huge role in flavor perception. Without it,...

A Craft Chocolate Maker’s Perspective on the 20...

Larry Duran

In June 2024, I attended the five day Penn State Chocolate Short Course and want to share some thoughts on the course for those who are considering attending their future...

A Craft Chocolate Maker’s Perspective on the 20...

Larry Duran

In June 2024, I attended the five day Penn State Chocolate Short Course and want to share some thoughts on the course for those who are considering attending their future...