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Published February 10, 2017

The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 4: Valentine’s Day Edition!

We’re pleased to share with you the fourth (and final) installment of our collaboration with Megan Giller of Chocolate Noise! We created a series of chocolate infographics called the Life and Times of Chocolate. In case you missed them, check out the first infographic in the series that called How…

Read More The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 4: Valentine’s Day Edition!

bonbon Chocolate Noise Chocolatier holiday Life and Times of Chocolate Valentines Day

Hawaii: The North Pole of Cacao
Published February 2, 2017

Hawaii: The North Pole of Cacao

I know, it sounds crazy right? Hot days, warm tropical nights…how could Hawaii be the “North Pole” of anything? Well, those lovely cacao trees that give us chocolate are very particular about where they will grow and flourish. And it turns out that Hawaii is just on the cusp of…

Read More Hawaii: The North Pole of Cacao

bean to bar cacao chocolate farming Hawaii

The Story of Ecole Chocolat
Published January 18, 2017

The Story of Ecole Chocolat

This January, Ecole Chocolat celebrates it’s 14th anniversary! Have you ever wondered how Ecole Chocolat came to be? Our Founder and Lead Instructor Pam Williams shares the story of her career in the fine chocolate industry and what inspired her to start a chocolate school! It all began with a chocolate…

Read More The Story of Ecole Chocolat

Chocolatier Ecole Chocolat Fine chocolate Fine Chocolate Industry Association Heirloom cacao Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund Pam Williams

Published December 8, 2016

The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 3

  We’re pleased to share with you the third installment of our collaboration with Megan Giller of Chocolate Noise! We are creating a series of chocolate infographics called the Life and Times of Chocolate. In case you missed them, check out the first infographic in the series that called How Chocolate is Born,…

Read More The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 3

bean to bar chocolate chocolate bar Chocolate Noise Chocolatier infographic ingredients Life and Times of Chocolate

10 chocolate Instagram accounts you need to follow
Published November 17, 2016

10 chocolate Instagram accounts you need to follow

Okay, we need to say something important right off the bat. When we thought it would be fun to write a blog post about some of our favourite Instagram accounts with a chocolate focus, we knew it would be INCREDIBLY hard to narrow our choices down to just 10. But…

Read More 10 chocolate Instagram accounts you need to follow

Bon bon bon Chocolate chocolate maker Chocolatier David Chow Giorgio Demarini Instagram Kate Weiser Chocolate Map Chocolate Melissa Coppel social media Soma Chocolatemaker Stick with Me Sweets The Chocolate Lab Uncommon Cacao

What does cocoa percentage mean?
Published November 3, 2016

What does cocoa percentage mean?

Understanding what the percentage means on your chocolate bar You have a craving for chocolate, and go to your favorite store to pick up a bar (or 2….or 10)! When you look at the packaging, you probably notice percentages – 70%, 85%, 90%, even 100% – but what do they…

Read More What does cocoa percentage mean?

chocolate chocolate making cocoa percentage health

Published October 15, 2016

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards World Final!

  Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in the 2016 World Final! We’re pleased to share that many Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in the World Final Competition! Background about the International Chocolate Awards “The International Chocolate Awards is an independent competition recognizing excellence in fine chocolate…

Read More Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards World Final!

awards chocolate maker Chocolatier Chocotenango EC grad Fifth Dimension Chocolates Hummingbird Chocolate Maker International Chocolate Awards Palette de Bine Starchild Chocolate world

What is chocolate tempering?
Published October 6, 2016

What is chocolate tempering?

Cocoa butter is the fat in the cacao bean that gives chocolate its unique, smooth mouth-feel and stable properties. To be considered “real” chocolate, a chocolate bar or chunk can contain only cocoa butter, not any other fat. Cocoa butter is the reason why you have to “temper” real chocolate.…

Read More What is chocolate tempering?

chocolate chocolate maker Chocolatier technique temper tempering

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards
Published September 22, 2016

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards

Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in their regional competitions! We’re pleased to share that many Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in their regional competitions, including Americas & Asia Pacific, Canadian and British National Competitions. Background about the International Chocolate Awards “The International Chocolate Awards…

Read More Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards

award Cacao Art chocolate maker Chocolatier Chocotenango Creo Chocolate EC grad Fifth Dimension Chocolates Gem Chocolates Hummingbird Chocolate Maker Inspiration Chocolates International Chocolate Awards Millcreek Cacao Roasters Palette de Bine Starchild Chocolate The Chocolate Lab Zak's Chocolate

Making Marshmallows from Scratch
Published August 5, 2016

Making Marshmallows from Scratch

Make your own marshmallows at home & you’ll never go back to store bought Dreamy, white clouds of sugar fluff – you can’t go wrong with marshmallows. My favourite marshmallow recipe is adapted from Peter Grewling’s book “Chocolates & Confections“, and uses 5 different sugars, making it a perfect contribution…

Read More Making Marshmallows from Scratch

confections marshmallow recipe sugar

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  • As with love chocolate making is all in the details
    4 days ago by ecolechocolat As with love, chocolate making is all in the details Happy Valentine’s Day! Any day that celebrates love and chocolate is perfection to us, or even celebrating love OF chocolate Today let’s cherish all of the people that we love in our lives, and enjoy some amazing fine chocolate. . . .  #love   #allyouneedislove   #valentinesday   #happyvalentinesday   #chocolate   #finechocolate   #valentineschocolate   #hearts   #lovemore   #loveislove 
  • The perfect bar to enjoy with your love The raspberry
    5 days ago by ecolechocolat The perfect bar to enjoy with your love The raspberry white chocolate bar from  @cacao70  is full of beautiful raspberry flavour and the right balance of sweetness. . . .  #valentines   #valentinesday   #valentineschocolate   #chocolatemaker   #ecolechocolatgrad   #chocolatemaking   #whitechocolate   #raspberry   #raspberrychocolate   #bemine   #love 
  • As we get closer to the ultimate day to celebrate
    6 days ago by ecolechocolat As we get closer to the ultimate day to celebrate love and chocolate, we had to share this gorgeous, lacy design from  @littlesinschocolate  Do you have your chocolate yet? Your local chocolatier or chocolate maker has you covered!  #Repost  ・・・ Inspired by  @genscarfone   @seedconfections  , trying the lace technique on my hearts.  #valentinesday2019   #hearts   #chocolatehearts   #chocolatebar   #sweetheartchocolatebar   #littlesinschocolate   #chocolatier   #victoriabc   #yyj   #instagood   #instafood   #finechocolate   #chocolatier   #lace   #design   #valentine   #valentinesday 
  • Need a gift for your Valentine? Or want to treat
    1 week ago by ecolechocolat Need a gift for your Valentine? Or want to treat yourself? Our next Mastering Chocolate Flavor Program starts on Feb 22nd! This is our online chocolate tasting program that leads you through not just how to taste chocolate, but what you’re tasting and why! Whether you’re a chocolate newbie or an old pro, you’ll love this program. AND we give the most delicious homework ever ❤️❤️❤️ . . .  #valentine   #valentinesday   #valentinesgift   #bemine   #valentineschocolate   #finechocolate   #chocolatetasting   #chocolateschool 
  • When you want to give flowers AND chocolate to your
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat When you want to give flowers AND chocolate to your Valentine ❤️ How gorgeous is this design from our grad  @apapacho .chocolate? ❤️ . . .  #ecolechocolatgrad   #valentine   #valentineschocolate   #finechocolate   #roses 
  • Were excited to share a collaboration with Lesley Pocklington swellmadeco
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat We’re excited to share a collaboration with Lesley Pocklington  @swellmadeco , a fellow female entrepreneur, to create this special greeting card for all of those occasions that call for chocolate, including no occasion at all. ❤️ Available for purchase as a single card or wholesale via Lesley’s site (link in our profile), this is the perfect card to accompany your favourite fine chocolate when gifting to the ones you love. ❤️ Pssst! Any orders placed for the rest of February will also receive a free mini chocolate bar from  @kinpodchocolate . Now, that’s love! . . .  #thiscallsforchocolate   #chocolate   #chocolatelover   #swellmadeco   #ecolechocolat 
  • Many of you will recognize this face Rachel is the
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat Many of you will recognize this face. Rachel is the fabulous instructor & online tutor for our Professional Chocolatier Program & an invaluable member of the EC team. This month marks 10 YEARS since Rachel joined us, & that is something to celebrate! Thank you so much Rachel for your dedication to sharing your passion for fine chocolate with our students and grads.  #celebrate   #timeflieswhenyourehavingfun   #10years   #chocolateschool 
  • Happy Lunar New Year! How adorable are these guys? The
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat Happy Lunar New Year! How adorable are these guys? The cutest way to start off the year of the pig, from the talented team  @thaaschocolates   #Repost   @thaaschocolates  ・・・ Happy Lunar new year!  #happylunarnewyear   #chinesenewyear   #yearofthepig   #luck   #prosperity   #Vancouver   #yvrfoodie   #yvrchocolate 
  • Looking over our haul from thewinterchocolateshow in Toronto on Saturday
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat Looking over our haul from  @thewinterchocolateshow  in Toronto on Saturday and can’t wait to dive in!❤️ It’s so exciting to see the growth in fine chocolate in Canada Thank you to  @thecandybartoronto  &  @desbarreschocolates  for organizing such an amazing event! . . .  #finechocolate   #chocolatemaker   #chocolatemaking   #beantobar   #ohcanada 
  • Its February 1st  let the celebration of chocolate
    2 weeks ago by ecolechocolat It’s February 1st - let the celebration of chocolate & love (or love of chocolate ) begin! Speaking of love, we are loving these gorgeous hearts filled with bonbons from  #ecolechocolatgrad   @tandemchocolatespc   #Repost   @tandemchocolatespc  ・・・  #Handcrafted   #chocolate  heart filled with six  #bonbons . This is the only heart you should break this Valentine's Day.  #edibleart   #chocolateart   #chocolat   #parkcitylife   #parkcity   #historicparkcity   #cupid   #chefrubber   #lifeofachocolatier   #lovewhatIdo   #bemyvalentine   #tandemchocolates   #skitown   #mountainliving   #saltlakefoodies   #parkcityfoodie 
  • S W E E T S I X T E
    3 weeks ago by ecolechocolat S W E E T S I X T E E N We are so excited to be celebrating our 16th anniversary! It’s been an incredible journey since we launched our first online chocolate program 16 years ago. We’re proud to have played a part in educating some of the most talented chocolate professionals in the industry! A quick peek at  #ecolechocolatgrad  & you can see what an amazing group they are ❤️ We are so grateful for the connections we’ve made & we love watching our grads chase their dreams. To our students, graduates & colleagues, thank you so
  • Two very special bars just arrived from ecolechocolatgrad Rich dancinglionchocolate
    3 weeks ago by ecolechocolat Two very special bars just arrived from  #ecolechocolatgrad  Rich  @dancinglionchocolate  . Black Dragon, white Jade: Old Grove Shui Xian wulong tea and fresh pineapple dust in Guatemalan 40 % white chocolate. Unexpected Acquaintance: hand-massaged Japanese Persimmon cut paper thin and Golden Threads black tea in passion fruit fermented Brazilian dark chocolate.Rich is a flavor genius and I'm a very lucky gal to get a chance to taste these one of a kind bars!! . . .  #dancininglionchocolate   #finechocolate   #chocolatier   #chocolatebar   #flavor   #whitechocolate  #

Recent Posts

  • Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad
  • For Mother’s Day, the connection between chocolate making and motherhood
  • Easter Chocolate 2018 – What are you hoping for in your basket?
  • Chocolate and Cannabis

Recent Comments

  • Alysha Kropf on Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Pashmina Lalchandani on Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Alysha Kropf on Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Sophia Rea on Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Clarity Cannabis on Chocolate and Cannabis

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Bean2bonbon – About the authors

Rachel McKinley

As a chocolatier, I love the blend of science and art that results from working with our fine chocolate medium. My days are filled with creating new products, experimenting in my chocolate lab, working with my clients and customers while a the same time instructing for Ecole Chocolat programs. I find great pleasure in helping people passionate about chocolate achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. I have a degree in microbiology and a degree in English literature, so I have a creative side and a technical side, and [chocolatiering] really married those things for me quite beautifully.

Alysha Kropf

I spent several years in the not-for-profit sector with roles in communications, marketing and program management before joining Ecole Chocolat as the Program and Marketing Director. I leaped at a role where I could combine my love of writing with my love of chocolate! Still relatively new to the world of chocolate, I have jumped in with both feet and love learning more every day. When I’m not reading about chocolate, or writing about chocolate, or eating (sorry “tasting”) chocolate, I’m chasing after one or all of my three boys, ages nine, five and five.

bean2bonbon

Tales from our Chocolate Laboratory
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