For budding Chocolatemakers and Chocolate Lovers
When I started reading up on the chocolate world, I had no idea how immense, complex and fascinating it really is. One discovery always leads to another, then another, and another. I research meticulously, as I think it shows through in the quality of what you make. It seems overwhelming at first, but there are some brilliant guiding resources both on and offline to help you deepen your understanding of the industry and your appreciation of its products. These are the sites and books that have inspired me most on my bean to bar journey.
Ecole Chocolat A Canadian online ChocolateMaker programme, my starting point, it doesn’t give you all the answers, but is an excellect introduction to the world of chocolate.
UK Sites
I started out on Chocablog and Seventypercent, which gave me my first insights to the bean to bar world.
Books
A great initiation to all things cocoa is The Chocolate Connoisseur: For everyone with a passion for chocolate by Chloe Doutre-Roussel.
To start the long journey of developing your palate pick up How to Taste: A Guide to Enjoying Wine by Jancis Robinson. A little dated but very relevant.
To build up your background knowledge, Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love by Simran Sethi.
For an overview of American bean to bar chocolate today Megan Giller’s Bean-to-Bar Chocolate.
American Sites
Chocolate Alchemy is a brilliant place to start. It’s a practical website with everything you need to know to get stuck in with production. I found my first winnower from John Nanci on there.
I love an informative podcast while I’ve got my hands busy sorting beans. The Slow Melt has loads to choose from, my favourites being Your Chocolate is probably African and the Makers series. Another useful website for staying up to date is The Chocolate Life.
European Sites
Thechocolatejournalist.com on the web and on instagram is the go to place for what’s happening now in the industry
Craft Chocolate Bar Supplies
Cocoa Runners is indispensable for supplies of world bean to bar chocolate, I personally love Pump Street, Ritual, Dick Taylor, Forever Cacao and Soma chocolate.
Podcasts
welltempered this US podcast focusses on women in chocolate from everywhere in the world. Lauren Heineck interviews the chocolatemakers and the series gives a true insight to the warts and all of making chocolate.