Exploring The World of Artisan Chocolate

At a recent chocolate and wine festival in Oregon, there was one theme I kept noticing among the crowd: Consumers were buying bottles of wine for $20+ without hesitation yet were reluctant to spend the same amount on chocolate. Why?To answer that question, we have to go back to the 16th century.When chocolate reached Europe in the 1500s, it was a luxury item reserved only for the wealthy. Cacao was a costly import that had to be transported by boat from South America. Sugar, another expensive import, had to be added to suit European tastes. Drinking hot chocolate was the equivalent of eating your money. Fast forward four centuries to the Industrial Revolution and you have the turning point of the entire chocolate industry. In 1900, the first mass produced chocolate bar was released. Soon after, chocolate became an inexpensive treat that the common public could afford. Today, close to 8 million tons of chocolate are consumed worldwide. One dollar can purchase a multitude of chocolate items at your local grocery store. However, many of these items are now produced with hydrogenated oils and artificial ingredients to cut costs. Calling this real chocolate would be like comparing a bottle of "Two Buck Chuck" to a wine from Bordeaux. It's just not the same.Just like that Bordeaux, If you want fine chocolate you have to pay for quality ingredients. Chocolate is (and should be) more than just sugar. It should be a symphony of flavors that entice you from the beginning to the end. It should make you curious as to why two bars with the same ingredients can taste vastly different from each other. Every step of the process - climate, fermentation, roasting, conching - has a crucial effect on the final flavor of the chocolate. If you've never experienced the bright, fruity flavor of single origin chocolate from Madagascar, I highly suggest you go buy a bar now. Better yet, gift yourself or your loved ones a Chococurb box and discover how delicious real chocolate can be.Chococurb is a chocolate discovery platform that allows people to explore the world of artisan chocolate through monthly subscription boxes and an eCommerce shop. Each subscriber is sent a personalized collection of chocolate items that are customized based on their preferences. Chococurb works with artisan chocolate makers across the globe to source high-quality bars and confections, many of which are certified Fair Trade and organic. It’s a great way to discover real chocolate and have it delivered right to your doorstep!