Fans of the TV show “Portlandia” might recall more than a few references to chocolate in its various forms throughout the series. Though not a cacao connection, yet another now infamous episode spurred the pop culture reference “put a bird on it,” formally acknowledging the modern design aesthetic trend of putting fowl on everything from […]
In the world of chocolate, so much of the products widely available to consumers are produced by a very small group of companies, who have cornered the market in terms of market share. As consumers continue to become educated on cocoa sourcing and what goes into quality chocolate products, many are finding themselves looking for […]
Many chocolate makers and chocolatiers find their way to the world of chocolate through very different means. Prior career paths can include everything from financial analysts, teachers, doctors, environmental scientists, and sometimes even former professional football players. At least that’s the story for Darryl Haley, who was an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots […]
We love running chocolate tours in Boston, but that’s just one of the ways we try to help broaden folks’ appreciation of chocolate. We also offer a variety of chocolate tasting events and experiences, sometimes with the chocolate serving as its own exploration, and other times as an element in a pairing–such as chocolate […]
Chocolate truly is a wonderful world, and here in Boston, we are so lucky to be the home of so much history, invention, and innovation within that realm. Our goal at Cocoa Beantown chocolate tours, always, is not only to share information with guests about chocolate, but to be a resource for helping folks uncover […]
Happy New Year Cocoa Beantown fans! Over the holidays, I’m sure many folks indulged in more than a bit of chocolate. Whether it was left in your stockings, delivered to your doorstep, or placed front and center on your holiday table, as any chocoholic knows, it’s important to have cocoa be part of the show! […]
The Boston area’s connections to sweets runs deep. Consider the fact that the very first chocolate factory in the United States was started in Dorchester, the first roadside confectionary in the country was started in Shrewsbury, and the NECCO candy factory operated out of Cambridge for decades before relocating to Revere. Not far from the […]
The world of chocolate is truly a wondrous place. And we love discovering new things within it. Most people who enjoy chocolate would say they have a definite sweet-tooth–though that isn’t always strictly the case! Chocolate can run the gamut from sweet to savory, and everything in-between. In terms of the sweet side of things, […]
One of the unexpectedly nice things about doing chocolate tours has been the fact that I have been able to make friends with so many kind and thoughtful folks that own or run businesses in Boston. One such person, Martha Fields, the owner of Gracie Finn in the South End, made a very special trip […]
This weekend, we had one of the most special chocolate tours I have ever had the privilege of being involved with and leading, our Boston Strong Back Bay Chocolate Tour, to benefit the One Fund. Eighteen lovely faces joined us on what ended up being a gorgeous day to get a lot of chocolate for […]
So I’m off on an adventure today–not in Beantown, but rather, the Big Apple! Since the Chocolate Companion had to fly to the NYC to receive an award last night, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and take a bus in to see what kinds of adventures we could have. Last time […]
This weekend, in celebration of my birthday, I went out to dinner with a group of dear friends with included my Chocolate Companion and my best friend who was born on National Chocolate Day. For the fourth year in row, I selected Brasserie Jo in the Colonnade Hotel in Boston as the location of the […]