Tastings
Engaging. Informative. Fun. Tasty. We'll not only expand your palate, we'll increase your knowledge and understanding of chocolate's history and introduce you to the makers and their process. With 8 different themes to choose from, you can pick one that's the perfect fit for your group:
- Adventures in Chocolate - Chocolate + Health - Rare Beans - Terroir : The Taste of Place - Do a Little Good - The Savory Side of Chocolate - Women in Chocolate - Get in the Spirit
In-Person
Looking for an interactive and intriguing event to bring people together at your office, school or private venue?
Our tastings last about an hour and include cacao's colorful history, an overview of the craft chocolate process, the stories behind the makers and why each of the 4 bars we'll taste were selected for the theme you chose, and what makes them so completely unique.
The ideal group size is 15-50 people. We're located in Chicago, but love to travel to do tastings in other cities when possible.
Virtual
Are your folks spread across the country? Maybe even located around the globe? No problem.
Our Virtual Tastings are a fantastic way to share an experience no matter where you are. We'll ship everyone a tasting kit and then gather on Zoom to explore chocolate and maybe even learn a bit about each other.
We've done virtual tastings for groups as small as 15 and as large as 400 people.
Pick a Theme That's Perfect for Your Group
Adventures in Chocolate
Porcini? Peppercorns? Gingersnap? Gin? Who knew chocolate was such a versatile partner for unusual flavors? Small-batch chocolatiers are experimenting with combinations inspired by both history and new culinary trends, always looking for ways to bring out cacao's complex characteristics. Taste some unexpectedly yummy pairings!
Chocolate + Health
Prized through the centuries for its health benefits, chocolate was acknowledged as a powerful curative for many maladies before it acquired a bad rep as our favorite guilty pleasure. We'll learn a bit about what's actually in chocolate, how it interacts with our bodies, and why cacao helps protect against heart disease, memory loss and more. And (clearly the best part!) we'll taste selections from global artisans that will knock your socks off. Tough duty, but somebody's got to do it in the name of science, right?
Rare Beans
We'll taste hard-to-find bars made from some of the world's most exclusive--and elusive--beans. Our Wall of Bars includes selections crafted from the prized Porcelana bean, genetically pure Nacional found only in a remote region of South America, Criollo from famed plantations and even a couple of newly discovered strains of cacao. We'll sample some of our best and learn about why chocolatiers go to amazing lengths to secure these rare beans.
Terroir : The Taste of Place
Just like wine, chocolate expresses distinctive flavors depending on origin and variety. But most of us don’t stop to consider where the beans for our chocolate are grown, or which strain of cacao they are. Don’t worry, we’re not out to complicate one of life’s greatest pleasures. This is one case where a little knowledge can really enhance the experience. Hone your palate as we taste 4 different origins from the same maker.
Do a Little Good
Carefully sourced cacao can foster positive change, not just fabulous flavor. Whether it’s sustaining the rich rainforest biomes where cacao flourishes, ensuring farm families prosper from their hard work, or nurturing rare strains back from the edge of extinction, bean-to-bar chocolate is about more than sublime deliciousness. Taste selections from acclaimed artisans making a real difference
The Savory Side of Chocolate
Chocolate has more flavor compounds than any other food. That makes the pairing possibilities endless! Yet most of us never stray from the sweeter end of the spectrum. We’ll taste some of the unexpected combos inspiring today’s artisanal chocolate makers and gain a rich appreciation for The Food of the Gods.
Women in Chocolate
Most of the craft chocolate makers across the globe are men, and so the handful of exceptional women in the industry often get lost when we talk about the category as a whole. This event is all about celebrating those female chocolatiers, learning their stories and seeing how the work they’re doing now fits into the arc of chocolate history. We'll be sampling selections from 4 acclaimed international chocolatiers.
Get in the Spirit
A fun way to kick-off the weekend with alcohol-inflected bars and bonbons! Each selection, crafted by artisan makers, will feature a different spirit. The trick is to augment, not overpower the chocolate. We’ll explore how each flavor accentuates a particular characteristic of chocolate. It's always 5:00 somewhere.