Fine Chocolates from Asheville.
By Ari Wewinzeig
These are some superb handcrafted chocolate bars made near the banks of the French Broad river in Asheville, North Carolina. If you’re looking for a great gift, or just some really good chocolate to eat after dinner tonight, these could be the ticket. Jael and Dan Ratigan are doing some great work with growers through Central America and crafting some exceptional bean to bar chocolates. They also happen to be great clients of ZingTrain and are working to adapt many of our Zingerman’s approaches in their own business. I’ve always been a fan of their work. But since we started carrying their chocolates at the Roadhouse I’ve been eating them regularly! The Malted Milk bar is caramelly, calming, comforting. For those who like a lighter, milkier chocolate this one is a sure hit! My own tastes run darker—I’ve been drawn again and again to the French Broad Guatemala and Nicaragua origins. But really, I can say with certainty that they’re all good. Oh yeah, the box! A beautiful work of packaging art. Light blue, heavy cardboard stock, it opens like a little book, with a chocolate bar in the middle, sandwiched by messages about the chocolate from Dan and Jael. Nibble a bit of the bar while reading more about their work. It’s hard to ask for more—this is a great chocolate in a great package made by great people!
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