Growing up, I was obsessed with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. What I wouldn’t have given for a golden ticket to tour that place. I used to press my face against the window of the chocolate shop near my house, mesmerized as the chocolatier poured a glossy stream of melted chocolate onto a marble slab.
At that moment I knew I’d grow up to be a chocolatier.
So… that didn’t happen. But I still lust after really good chocolate. In fact, I may keep a stash hidden in the back of my pantry behind the canned beans. As much as I love my children, Mama needs her own chocolate supply for emergencies.
Ancient civilizations in Central and South America revered Cacao. It was so valuable that cacao beans were used as currency. If crypto doesn’t work out, I say we switch to the chocolate coin.
If you’re going to indulge in chocolate — and you most certainly should — make it the good stuff. Not a waxy bar that has been sitting beside the grocery checkout for who knows how long. We’re talking about real chocolate, the kind that melts on your tongue and makes your eyes roll back in your head. Fortunately, there are plenty of chocolate wizards across Halton crafting the good stuff.
Obey your cravings
In Burlington, The Organic House focuses on organic and ethically sourced chocolate. It’s also vegan, gluten and dairy free.
Another sweet source is Christy’s Gourmet Gifts, where Christy and Bernie Mueller create beautifully packaged chocolate and sweets that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. I mean, of course I’m still going to eat them.
“Creating decadent gifts is our passion, says Bernie. “Deciding which chocolates complement each other best and then wrapping them up as a beautiful gift makes us proud every time. No matter how many chocolates and sweets we sell, it’s still a thrill to see the happy anticipation on our customers’ faces.”
Chocolate lovers also flock to Genesis Chocolate Company for their ingenious flavours (Beer! Banana bread! Cardamom honey!) and to Walker’s Chocolates (Truffles! Dipped cherries, jubes, and Oreos!). Both are known for handcrafted confections that feel like edible art. Dundas Chocolate Shop is another beloved shop offering small-batch creations. Warning… you may walk in for one treat and leave with several (Mon Cherry D’Amour! Ginger turmeric! Maple toasted pumpkin seed!).
Did you know?
• Chocolate contains over 600 flavour compounds. That’s more than red wine has (dark chocolate and red wine pair beautifully, by the way).
• White chocolate technically is not chocolate at all because it contains cocoa butter but no cocoa solids. Purists have strong feelings about this.
• The largest chocolate bar ever made weighed more than 12,000 pounds. I’m wondering if I could fit that into the back of my pantry.
DIY… Y not?
Want to try making chocolate yourself? With the right guidance, it’s deliciously doable.
Deanna Forder, owner and chocolate maker at The Organic House says, “Chocolate workshops and tastings are a sweet way to share chocolate with people. With Mother’s Day upon us, flowers are a lovely gesture, but spending an afternoon laughing, tasting, and creating chocolate with your mom is the kind of memory that lasts longer than a bouquet.”
Sometimes the best chocolate experience is simply trying something extraordinary that not only tastes great but feels right, too. “Our clients love discovering unusual flavours like focaccia, lavender, cinnamon or chili,” Deanna explains. “We’re known for our bean-to-bar flavour infusions that are creative and out-of-the-box ideas. And our ingredients are sourced ethically and are traceable because paying the cacao farmers more than a living wage is very important to us.”
Chocolate is a rich mix of history, culture, science, and pure imagination. A chocolate river and singing Oompa Loompas might not be realistic, but the magic of great chocolate absolutely is.
Make it the good stuff. We’re talking about real chocolate, the kind that melts on your tongue and makes your eyes roll back in your head.
Local Links:
The Organic House
1016 Sutton Drive Unit C10, Burlington
theorganichouse.ca
Christy’s Gourmet
3530 Mainway Drive, Burlington
christysgourmetgifts.com
Genesis Chocolate Company
97 King Street West, Dundas
genesischocolatecompany.com
Dundas Chocolate Shop
50 King Street West, Dundas
dundaschocolate.ca
Walker’s Chocolates
3350 Fairview Street, Burlington
1011 Upper Middle Road., Oakville
walkerschocolates.ca
Chocolate And Love
96 Dunn Street, Oakville
chocolateandlove.com
A Chocolate Lab
511 Pinegrove Road, Oakville
achocolatelab.com
By Lisa Thornbury
