Bean-To-Bar Chocolate

Bean-to-bar chocolate refers to a production approach in which chocolate makers control the entire journey of the cocoa bean, starting from sourcing raw beans and ending with the finished chocolate bar. This method emphasizes craftsmanship, flavor transparency, ethical sourcing, and small-batch production.

What Bean-To-Bar Means

In traditional chocolate production, several steps are outsourced: farmers harvest cocoa, intermediaries transport and process it, and manufacturers produce chocolate at scale. Bean-to-bar makers handle every stage themselves. This includes:

• Selecting and sourcing cocoa beans directly from farmers or cooperatives

• Roasting beans to develop unique flavor profiles

• Cracking, winnowing, grinding, refining, and conching

• Formulating chocolate with minimal ingredients

• Molding and packaging the finished bars

This level of control allows artisans to showcase the natural characteristics of cocoa grown in different regions, much like specialty coffee or fine wine.