go

Theo Chocolate's Guilt-Free Indulgences Choosing a chocolatier with a progressive taste in mind. by Catherine Spangler, Photos by Mimi Schiffman

There are so many scrumptious chocolate products on market shelves, and such little space in your shopping cart. It seems like you can't go wrong picking any one of the options available. But if you're choosing your chocolate on taste alone, you may be overlooking some very important criteria.

One reason to opt for a local company's offerings: from bean to bar, Theo Chocolate is the only factory in the country to create fair trade and organic chocolate products.

In essence, not only are Theo's ingredients harvested in a healthy and sustainable way, their harvesters are given an honest wage to make that happen. Why not add 'socially-conscious' to your list of reasons for loving chocolate?

Theo's award-winning treats are made in Fremont, but the flavors conjure up romantic and distant lands. Ghost chilies, fennel, and even french bread give flavor to their cocoa creations. Seasonal flavorings such as gingerbread and candy cane make great holiday gifts, as do boxes of caramel treats.

Theo runs daily tours where visitors can observe the entire process of crafting a confection. Raw cocoa beans litter the roasting room floor and huge vats of chocolate serve up a rich aroma. Chocolate lovers get more than ample opportunities to sample all that the factory has to offer.

And, if you're feeling ambitious, enroll in Chocolate University. These weekly classes focus on the science, art, and of course - taste - of everything chocolate.

Visit Theo Chocolate online.