Canada's Growing Bean-to-Bar, Craft Chocolate Market

Updated August 14, 2018

This is real Canadian chocolate...

 

Bean-to-bar chocolate-making (also called 'small batch' and 'craft chocolate') is the latest trend in Canada's chocolate industry. It also seems to be the fastest growing segment of the artisan food market.

Just a few years ago, Soma Chocolatemaker of Toronto seemed to be alone in its quest to make chocolate in small batches and directly from the cacao bean (also called cocoa bean), using high-quality beans imported from various growing regions close to the equator.  In the last few years, more and more artisan chocolate makers have popped up in various cities across Canada.  In fact, since I started planning this article two years ago, more information has become available, chocolate maker websites have been launched and my list of chocolate makers has doubled, making my article a moving target, so to speak.

What is the reason that an entrepreneur might want to make chocolate directly from the bean?  For starters, the challenge. Most people do not know that it is quite simple to roast cacao beans at home and make chocolate in a coffee grinder, blender or juicer. But the challenge is to give it a smooth texture, remove the acidity, develop a good flavour profile, test recipes and create something entirely unique that no one else has. There is a sense of accomplishment in making something 'from scratch' and putting your own spin on it.

Other chocolate makers start because they are driven by an idea or belief.  For instance, some believe that chocolate made according to Fair Trade certification is not as helpful to farmers as it can be.  So they want to buy cacao beans through 'Direct Trade' and produce chocolate that directly benefits specific cacao farmers and their families. Often, chocolate makers develop these views because they have travelled and visited cacao farms on their travels.

Finally, some chocolate makers are driven by their belief in healthy eating or in an idea of dietary requirements or restrictions. An example is the raw food movement.  A handful of raw food enthusiasts have discovered benefits in eating 'raw chocolate' (i.e. chocolate made from un-roasted cacao beans), and after finding no packaged products on the market, they started making their own at home, and eventually turned it into a business.

Whatever the reason, for Canadians it means that we have more chocolate to choose from, and more choice when it comes to where we want to spend our money.  Do we want to spend it on large, foreign-owned commercial chocolate makers who produce brand-name chocolate bars or on small local businesses who sell hand-made chocolate and support the farmers who supply the cacao?

Our neighbours to the South (that`s right, I`m talking about the U.S.), have truly owned this bean-to-bar trend, with chocolate makers popping up in nearly every State and large city in America. But Canada is now getting in on the action.  And the best part?  You, the consumer, can buy true Canadian-made chocolate, including amazing gifts for any chocolate connoisseur, wannabe chocolate aficionado or any chocolate fanatic in your life.

Below you will find the list of Canada's bean-to-bar chocolate makers.  Since this is a growing trend, new chocolate makers are popping up all the time.  If there is a new craft, small-batch chocolate maker in your area of Canada that is not on the list, please feel free to tell us in the Comments section below. And click here to find out where to buy many of these brands.

List of Small-Batch, Craft Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Makers in CANADA:

Ontario:

• Soma Chocolatemaker (Toronto) - Soma has, by far, the largest selection of any bean-to-bar artisan chocolate maker in Canada.  They make such a large assortment of flavours of chocolate bars and chocolaty treats, that I always seem to find something new when I make a purchase by e-mail or at one of their two locations in Toronto.With the feel of a relaxing café, but all the wonders of a great chocolate selection, Soma offers an experience like no other. Even their 100% dark chocolate (the Arcana bar) is tasty, and all their chocolate is perfectly smooth and well balanced, certainly making them Canada's finest chocolate maker. www.somachocolate.com. Owners David Castellan and his wife Cynthia Leung, started making chocolate in 2003, now two locations in Toronto (King Street West & Distillery District, you can order by e-mail).

• Hummingbird Chocolate (Almonte, ON) - Hummingbird's chocolate makers started selling their products at a farmer's market in Ottawa and now have a small chocolate-making facility and tasting room open to the public in Almonte. Their chocolate is available at various retailers in the Ottawa area, as well as online (www.foodiepages.ca). Hummingbird's chocolate is very smooth, and they offer an excellent range of single origin bars that demonstrate the wonderful flavour differences of cacao from different growing regions. They also sell small bags of cacao beans, so you can try to make your own origin chocolate at home! www.hummingbirdchocolate.com

• Habitual Chocolate (London, ON) - offers a full range of bean-to-bar chocolate. 
  
  Whether you like milk or dark chocolate, I recommend that you try the Sal de Mar 43% Cacao and Sea Salt chocolate bar.  It is salty, sweet and a real treat!  For those extreme dark chocolate fanatics, go for Habitual's Amazonas 80% Cacao dark chocolate bar, it is their smoothest and has low acidity. To order from outside of London, Ontario, you need to call their sister company (http://www.fireroastedcoffee.com/) and ask specifically for their chocolate to be shipped to you (that's how I got some!), as it is not yet available for order on the website. www.habitualchocolate.com 

• Ambrosia Pastry This bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Southern Ontario makes an amazing 55% Milk Origin Ghana chocolate bar, which is one of the most amazing dark-milk chocolates that I have tasted! You can read all about it here. They now sell their chocolate on FoodiePages or you can learn more on Ambrosia's website:  www.ambrosiapastry.com.

• ChocoSol Traders (Toronto, ON) - ChocoSol is in Toronto making chocolate bars and drinking chocolate without dairy, gluten, soy, or nuts, and it is listed as vegan. Their chocolate is minimally processed, so it has a great crunchy texture, much like the Taza chocolate brand in the U.S..  They also make some raw chocolate and an amazing hemp-based chocolate bar.  ChocoSol offers chocolate-making workshops, which are regularly available, and group/corporate bookings are also offered. They also sell cacao beans, nibs, hemp seeds, agave, vanilla pods and more - everything you need to make your own chocolate!  http://chocosoltraders.com/ 

• Living Libations (Haliburton, ON) - Less a part of the growing bean-to-bar movement and more a part of the growing 'raw chocolate' movement, Living Libations is likely the most interesting and healthiest chocolate maker in Canada. Their chocolate is not tasty to the average consumer, but very healthy and great-tasting to raw food enthusiasts and others who are used to the added flavours of hemp, maca and a variety of other health-food additives. They have been profiled on a Canadian television show, and I like the chocolate makers' quirky personalities, and I also believe in their cause. Find out more in an article that I wrote, or on the company's website:  http://www.livinglibations.com/products/pure-source-raw-chocolate/raw-chocolate.

• Soul Chocolate (Toronto, Ontario) - One of Canada's newest bean-to-bar chocolate makers, this passionate team has gone all out on gorgeous packaging. But that's not the only thing: they have the socially responsible goal of buying their cacao 100% direct trade. They are still small, but this is the one to watch! Their chocolate bars are available in select stores in the Toronto area, or online: http://www.soulroasters.com Twitter: @SoulRoasters  Read my taste review here.

• Bruama's Artisan Chocolate (Cambridge, ON) - With a focus on organic and Brazil-origin chocolate, this chocolate maker offers a range of products made from bean to bar, including 75% dark-milk chocolate (it's delicious!), 100% dark chocolate, 75% dark chocolate bars, as well as really interesting traditional Brazilian truffles that are worthy of a taste. http://www.bruamas.com/ChocolateBars.html

• Mairogold's Finest (Toronto, ON) - This chocolate maker offers a simple and attractive selection of stone-ground chocolate bars, which means a chocolate with a rustic texture, and core, pure ingredients. Taste a range of 75% single origin chocolates, or sample the sweet, yet savoury 60% dark milk chocolate bar, or their super fun Strawberries & Champagne dark chocolate, with popping candy sprinkled on the back for a 'bubbly' affect. Read a tasting review here. Twitter: @marigoldsfinest Web: www.marigoldsfinest.com.

• DesBarres Chocolate (Uxbridge, ON) - One of the newest bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Ontario, this husband and wife team (Erik & Ariane) formally founded DesBarres Chocolate in late 2015. They seem to be working with a variety of beans, and I am excited to see what they offer. Stay tuned as I follow this new chocolate maker and their product offerings!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desbarreschocolate/.

• Cócó Chocolate Company (Kingston, ON) - A brand new chocolate maker selling at the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market on Sundays in Kingston. Using organic cacao sourced at fair prices from Dominican Republic, this chocolate maker is committed to organic and fair trade. Business owner, Brendon McAleer, is making chocolate bars with inclusions like sea salt, large toasted coconut pieces, almonds and pistachios, as well as bonbons and truffles. Learn more o n Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocochocolateco/.

• Ultimately Chocolate (Manitoulin Island, Ontario) - that's right folks, this is my business! I am Lisabeth, the writer of this blog you are visiting, and I have been making chocolate confections, desserts and pastry for nine years under the Ultimately Chocolate name, which are sold locally through several cafes and restaurants. I have also been making chocolate from bean-to-bar for friends and family for five years, and professionally for the last few years. My bean-to-bar chocolate just got a package upgrade, and more good things are to come, so stay tuned! You can buy it online in Canada on my Foodiepages.ca store. (psst! The Buttermilk bar is delicious!!).  Contact me at info (at) ultimatelychocolate.com if you have questions. Learn more at: www.ultimatelychocolate.com or follow on Instagram & Facebook ( @ultimatelychocolate ) or on Twitter with the handle @ultimatelychoc.

Alberta:

• Choklat (Calgary & Edmonton, AB) - They make chocolate from bean-to-bar and chocolate truffles made to order. What's great is that they make four single-origin 70% chocolate bars with the same amount of sugar, cacao butter, cacao beans and vanilla so that you can taste and compare cacao from different origins (some chocolate makers use different amounts of sugar, which makes it difficult to compare origins). Flavourful and delicious chocolate with high cocoa butter content. Learn more at: www.sochoklat.com

• Goldie Chocolate (Calgary, AB) - New on the scene in 2018. Craft chocolate made by Amy Horne in Calgary. Intstagram: @goldiechocolate.

• McGuire Chocolate (Calgary, AB) - making a large variety of bean-to-bar chocolate, with different roast profiles and refining times. Read my review here. Visit www.mcguirechocolate.com for more information.

• Moth Chocolate (Calgary, Alberta) - with a focus on ethically sourced chocolate, chocolate maker Geordan Spicer brings her passion for chocolate to Calgary. Current focus is on Bolivia origin chocolate, but stay tuned to Moth's social medial accounts (@mothchocolate) to learn more or visit the business website: www.mothchocolate.com.

British Columbia:    

• Beanpod (Fernie, B.C.) - Beanpod has a cool logo that is imprinted on all their chocolate bars.  And although they offer a range of bean-to-bar chocolate, a MUST TRY is their Fernie BEAR Bar made with Milk Chocolate and Honeycomb chocolate bar.  It is often sold out and believe me when I say that it is out of this world! www.beanpod.ca

• Coconama Chocolate (Vancouver, BC) - have been in business nearly six years creating chocolate bars and confections, and just recently began making some from bean-to-bar.  Single origin chocolate bars and seasonal bean-to-bar available. More to come on this chocolate maker, so stay tuned! In the meantime, learn more on the website: www.coconama.com.

• EastVan Roasters (Vancouver, BC) - This is actually a not-for-profit organization, designed to assist women in need of valuable work skills. They make single-origin chocolate bars and truffles, as well as flavoured chocolate bars. They also sell baked goods made with their own chocolate and coffee beverages made from beans that are roasted in house. www.eastvanroasters.com 

 

• Organic Fair (Cobble Hill, BC) - this Western Canadian craft chocolate maker began producing chocolate after they sold organic and Fair Trade food products from their organic farm in Cobble Hill, including some interesting chocolate bars made from couverture chocolate with unique flavour combinations.  But they recently made the step to becoming a true chocolate maker - roasting the beans, winnowing, grinding, conching and taking all the steps to make chocolate from start to finish that is both organic and Fair Trade.  They are one of the few bean-to-bar makers who also sell bakers' chocolate bars in various sizes, made from their own chocolate.  They also sell a range of origin chocolate, including chocolate made from Nicaraguan beans. www.organicfair.com

• Sirene Chocolate (Victoria, BC) - a 'direct' trade bean-to-bar chocolate maker, Taylor Kennedy, has a background in economics, finance and cell and molecular biology.  He currently makes single-origin chocolate bars from Ecuador and Madagascar, including a 100% bar, and a Fleur de Sel chocolate. Sirene Chocolate is available in select stores, such as Cook Culture in Victoria. Find out more about Sirene Chocolate at: http://sirenechocolate.com/.

• Take a Fancy Chocolate (Burnaby, BC) - This small-batch chocolate maker sells through farmer's markets and online.  The products are organic and fair trade, and Take a Fancy not only offers solid chocolate made from bean-to-bar, but also caramels and other chocolaty treats. You can buy online here: www.takeafancy.ca.

• Wild Sweets by Dominique & Cindy Duby (Richmond, B.C.) - This is the up and comer that may rival Soma before long, winning awards these past few years at the international level for their bean-to-bar chocolate.  While being artists and artisans (some amazing chocolate creations can be seen on their website), they are also applying scientific methodology to their chocolate-making.  They have tested and retested each batch to ensure the very best chocolate. Wild Sweets offers a very tasty, very professional, and very smooth bean-to-bar chocolate. www.dcduby.com

• Uncouth Chocolate (Victoria, BC) - Selling primarily at farmer's markets, this team of chocolate makers (Stephanie and Heidi) is focused on making stoneground 'unconched' chocolate with just two ingredients (cacao and sugar), "letting the beans speak for themselves". Find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Uncouthchocolate/.

• Kasama Chocolate (East Vancouver, BC) - making chocolate bars and truffles from bean-to-bar and selling locally at farmer's markets all around Vancouver.  Their branding and packaging is bright and colourful. Read my review of their chocolate here. Follow their Instagram account (@kasamachocolate), or visit their website at: www.kasamachocolate.com

Manitoba:

• Aschenti Cocoa (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - Small batch chocolate maker from farm to bar, starting with cocoa beans from their Cameroon farm where they grow and harvest their own cacao. Also making beautiful bonbons with their own bean-to-bar chocolate, for sale in an open kitchen concept store at 782 Corydon Avenue in Winnipeg. Named one of Canada's best chocolate shops by Chatelaine magazine in February 2018. Learn more at: www.aschenti.com. Twitter: @aschenti.

• Popp Chocolates / Chocolatier Constance Popp (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - Self-described as "Winnipeg's 1st #BeantoBar Maker".  I'll update the info on their bean-to-bar chocolate once I have more information.  Notable: Just won 'Best Ice Cream in Manitoba' award. Looks like a great chocolatier & retail shop to visit while in Manitoba. Twitter: @poppchocolates www.constancepopp.com

Quebec:

• Avanaa (Montreal) - A very new chocolate maker in the Montreal area, crafting chocolate from bean to bar. Learn more on their website at: http://www.avanaa.ca/

• Chaleur B Chocolat (Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec) - One of the newest bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Canada, this chocolate began within a successful coffee roasting company. So naturally they offer a signature 'Mokaccino' bar, as well as single origin chocolate bars that are smooth and cocoa buttery. The chocolate maker was inspired by a Swiss heritage to make chocolate that replicates the deliciousness of Swiss chocolate. Read more about this chocolate maker here: http://ultimatechocolateblog.blogspot.ca/2015/02/chaleur-b-chocolat-delicate-and-buttery.html and on their website at: www.chaleurb.com.

• Chocolats Privilége (Montreal, QC) - bean-to-bar chocolate made into couverture that is used exclusively for Chocolats Privilége's five locations in Quebec. They make beautiful truffles, caramels, spreads and confections, as well as origin chocolate bars (Mexico, Hispaniola, Tanzania, Madagascar, etc.) and bars with inclusions. http://www.chocolatsprivilege.com/en/

• Olivia Chocolat (Gatineau, Quebec) - The bars are nicely packaged and presented in a thin, fine format, making them easier to taste and savour. I love the 'hint of maple' chocolate bars that they produce.  In addition to their original bean-to-bar chocolate, they also make raw chocolate, Canadian maple-flavoured chocolate, and hemp-milk vegan chocolate. Their chocolate is certified as Fair Trade. Olivia Chocolat is now available in perfectly portioned packages at Bridgehead Coffee Houses all over the Ottawa area, and their larger chocolate bars are available at other retailers. Olivia Chocolat can also be ordered online from outside of the Ottawa/Gatineau area: http://oliviachocolatiers.com/

• Palette de Bine (Mont-Tremblant, QC) - This is a small-batch chocolate maker located in beautiful Mont-Tremblant.  They do everything from roast and winnow to aging the chocolate.  Find their single origin bars or blended bar on the La Tablette de Miss Choco site here or find out where to buy their products locally here. Twitter: @BinePalette  Web site: www.palettedebine.com

• Chocolats Monarque (Montreal, QC) - A meticulous chocolate maker with a knack for making equipment to better the process of chocolate making. This bean-to-bar chocolate maker's products can be found in some Montreal-based stores and at the Candy Cabin in Toronto. Award-winning Peru Ucayali 80% dark chocolate bar in 2018 by the Academy of Chocolate. Learn more about this chocolate maker on the business Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chocolatsmonarque/.

• Rose Chocolat / Eau de Rose (Quebec) - This is a very new chocolate maker with two flavourful origin bars made of Columbian cacao. Read my review of these chocolate bars here. Visit http://www.eauderosechocolat.com for more information.

• QANTU (Montreal, QC) - This is one of the newest chocolate makers, launching in November of 2016. They just won two Gold Academy of Chocolate Awards for their very fruity Peruvian origin chocolates. The website is coming soon, and there is a facebook page you can check for more information: https://www.facebook.com/qantuchocolate/?fref=ts. Follow on social media at: @qantuchocolate. Read my review here.

• Rica Chocolat (Montreal, QC) - Making two-ingredient chocolate from bean to bar, with Costa Rican cocoa beans. They showcase different roasts and refining times using the same beans, an ultimate educational experience for any budding chocolate connoisseur. Find them online at www.ricachocolat.com or read all about them and my review by clicking here.

Nova Scotia:

Petite Patrie Chocolate (Canning, Nova Scotia) - Nova Scotia's first bean-to-bar chocolate maker! Gabrielle Breault is the brain-child behind this new business, and focuses on organic ingredients, and plans to chocolate from local flavours of the Annapolis Valley. Discover more at www.petitepatriechocolate.com or on Facebook.

New Brunswick:

• Chocolat berNard / berNard Chocolate (New Brunswick) -  a small chocolate factory that makes chocolate from raw cacao beans. Making chocolate from Tanzania origin, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Honduras, among others. Learn more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/chocolat.berNard/about/?ref=page_internal.

I have tasted nearly all of the chocolate on this list! If you are looking for recommendations, reviews, or have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to use the Comments section below or e-mail me at info@ultimatelychocolate.com.

For your viewing pleasure, below are more pictures of Canada's bean-to-bar chocolate.

Soul Chocolate in Toronto offers a nice tasting kit and gorgeous packaging!

OrganicFair offers a Coco-Milk chocolate bar,
which has coconut instead of dairy.


 

This is a great example of chocolate intended for a tasting party - three single origin chocolates from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Madagascar offer very noticeable different flavour profiles.

This picture shows how different dark chocolate can appear when made with different single origin beans (the Madagascar 74% dark chocolate looks just as light-coloured as a milk chocolate bar - yet it contains no milk!)

Toronto-based ChocoSol makes a fantastic Drinking Chocolate