What is Craft Chocolate? A Beginner's Guide
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Time to read 2 min
You know what chocolate is, but what exactly makes it “craft?” And what does that mean relative to “normal” chocolate?
Welcome to craft chocolate kindergarten! Our first lesson in chocolate: defining a term that does not have a definition. Yes, you read that right. Craft chocolate is not easily definable, meaning there isn’t a definition, certification, or universal checklist that determines whether a chocolate bar is considered craft. Instead, craft chocolate is best understood through the values that guide how the chocolate was produced.
Craft Chocolate vs. Mass-Produced Chocolate
Most craft chocolate is created by bean-to-bar producers who oversee every stage of the chocolate making process from sourcing the cacao beans to demolding the finished bar. Managing the end-to-end process allows artisan makers to prioritize the two primary values often considered the defining characteristics of craft chocolate:
1. Ethical and transparent sourcing. Makers usually know exactly where their cacao comes from (often visiting the specific sites where the beans are grown, meeting the farmers, and even choosing the exact beans they want to buy). The emphasis is on building long-term relationships that support sustainable farming practices, the production of excellent quality cacao, and fair compensation for cacao farmers and their communities.
2. Quality and flavor. Just like wine grapes or coffee beans, cacao reflects the environment in which it’s grown. Craft chocolate makers want to bring out those natural tasting notes, often producing chocolate in small batches and carefully calibrating each step of the manufacturing process to bring out the distinct properties of the bean. The result is chocolate that showcases the unique flavors of its origin.
By contrast, commercial or mass-produced chocolate is typically made at a much larger scale using inexpensive beans or blends of beans from multiple origins. The goal is to produce a chocolate bar with a consistent, flavor profile every time. And there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that - it’s simply a different approach to making chocolate!
By controlling the entire process, craft chocolate makers can make intentional decisions that highlight the natural character of the cacao rather than treating it as a commodity ingredient.
How to Tell if Chocolate is Craft
Because there is no official definition, the best indicator for whether chocolate is craft chocolate is transparency. Look for makers who openly share information such as:
- Where the cacao was grown (country, region, or even the specific farm/co-op)
- Whether they make the chocolate themselves from bean to bar
- How they source their cacao
- The ingredients used (typically very few, unless there are inclusions)
- A way to contact them with questions or an open and inviting social media presence that invites interaction!
A good rule of thumb: the more a chocolate maker tells you about what's inside the bar and how it was made, the more likely they are embracing the values of craft chocolate. Craft chocolate makers are only too delighted to tell you all about their process, the beans they use, the farmers they've met, the trips they've taken, the new winnower they just bought, etc.
At its heart, craft chocolate is about honoring cacao, from the people who grow it to the flavors that make each origin unique.
