On the Chocolate Trail

Choco-dar first erupted on our multi-country circuit of Europe in a VW van. That adult onset, self-diagnosed radar for chocolate experiences led us serendipitously to many wonderful chocolate discoveries and surprises. In the process I learned some chocolate travel tips.  Chocolate travel generated the book and the website that I came to call On the

Published July 13, 2016 at The Forward I happened into a chocolate shop, L’Atelier du Chocolat de Bayonne in Paris in 2006 with my husband. As we were tasting and browsing, I randomly picked up a company brochure. In my high school French, I slowly deciphered this astonishing statement: À Bayonne l’origine de la fabrication

Fathers, Dominicans that is, helped bridge the New World’s chocolate to the Old World. In 1544 Padres tantalized the Spanish court with chocolate prepared and presented by a Kekchi Maya delegation of New World natives. Fatherly faith indeed aided in spreading chocolate to new regions of the world, to new religious contexts, and to new

Kosher L’Pesach certification does nothing to improve the quality of the chocolate for the festival celebration and actually limits choices, increases costs, diminishes taste and undermines the powerful messages of the Chag.  While Passover themed chocolate in the shape of matzah or the Seder plate or other Jewish symbols may enhance the décor of the

July 13, 2007 Mancerinas in Madrid Back to Madrid, examples of beautiful mancerinas—first developed by the Marques de Mancera (1639-1648) in Peru—displayed at the Museum of Decorative Arts.

July 10, 2007 Ávila There are great pastries here, but this hot chocolate was foul.

July 9, 2007 Burgos In Burgos, a little restaurant recommended by The Lonely Planet and even more…

July 8, 2007 Astorga A chocolate center in the Maragateria area, with at least five chocolate stores crowded on one block. Astorga also hosts another chocolate museum! We wanted to buy this chocolate pot set, but it was not for sale. At stores everywhere these small tiles could be purchased. The Astorga Chocolate Museum, created

July 6, 2007 Salamanca In Salamanca a Valor store again, one of several all over Spain where the menu offers hot chocolate from a mancerina. Despite trying very hard to find a mancerina or a chocolate pot or both at antique stores, flea markets, other chocolate stores, houseware outlets all over the country, it became

July 5, 2007 Sevilla Is it too hot here for hot chocolate?? Our Cadiz chocolate friend recommended this Sevilla store to us. We, along with others, were very disappointed that it was closed, despite the fact that the hours posted indicated it should be open…

July 3, 2007 Cádiz Here we enjoyed the Granizado de Chocolate, chocolatey and refreshing, prepared by the owner, a Russian born Israeli, now living with her Argentinian husband in Spain.

June 28, 2007 Córdoba In Córdoba, almost nothing.

June 27, 2007 Granada More Goodies including chocolate con churros, which we finally tried, and found a bit too greasy for us. After searching quite a bit, we finally discovered this very lovely store.

June 26, 2007 Villajoyosa Then to the Valor Chocolate Factory in Villajoyosa. The largest producer of chocolate in Spain, Valor uses very sensual and almost soft core,“adult” oriented pitches to sell the chocolate. We saw Nederland Cacao powder in the storage area and chocolate beans from Ghana. The audience, mostly families, giggled in appreciation at

June 24, 2007 Altea We find chocolate everywhere:

June 24, 2007 Sueca In Valencia Province, the outdoor Sueca city map clearly identifies the Comes Chocolate Museum. Owned by fourth generation Comes family member, Pedro Melero, 400,000 people visit the museum each year. He buys his chocolate from a co-op; they decide what is best. It currently comes from Ghana. The Comes-Spanish-only video shows