Craft chocolate, also known as bean-to-bar chocolate, is made by carefully selecting high-quality cocoa beans and roasting them to perfection to bring out their unique flavors. This process is carried out by small, independent chocolatiers who are passionate about creating delicious and distinctive chocolate.

Quality cocoa → flavor!

One of the main reasons why artisanal chocolate (craft chocolate) is better than industrial chocolate is that it is made with high-quality ingredients—first and foremost, of course, the cocoa. Industrial chocolate is almost exclusively made from lower-quality cocoa beans. The cocoa is roasted at high temperatures (often burned!) and contains additives and flavorings to enhance or mask the taste. Artisanal chocolate, on the other hand, is made with only a few simple ingredients, allowing the natural flavors of the cocoa beans to shine. Cocoa and a bit of sugar—that’s really all you need for good (dark) chocolate.

Another reason why artisanal chocolate comes out on top is that it is made in small batches using traditional methods. It stays much closer to the source—the cocoa. The cocoa is not separated into cocoa butter and cocoa powder and then recombined later; instead, the cocoa is simply ground, sugar is added, and sometimes milk— and that’s it. This way, the many flavors naturally present in cocoa are much better preserved. Not all chocolate is the same, and not all cocoa is the same. Depending on the origin and processing, a variety of flavor notes can emerge: nutty, fruity, and so on. Industrial chocolate, on the other hand, is produced in large factories using industrial machines, where quality and unique flavor are subordinate to consistency and mass production.

Artisanal chocolate also offers a more diverse range of flavors than industrial chocolate. Because small chocolatiers can experiment with different cocoa beans and production methods, they are able to create a wide variety of unique and interesting flavors. Industrial chocolate, on the other hand, is usually mass-produced according to the same recipe, resulting in a more limited range of flavors.

Better for people & nature

In addition to differences in taste and quality, artisanal chocolate also has a positive impact on both the environment and people. Many artisanal chocolatiers source their cocoa beans from small-scale farmers who use sustainable farming methods. This not only helps protect the environment but also supports the local communities and economies where the cocoa is grown. A true win-win.

Moreover, bean-to-bar chocolatiers are committed to fair and transparent trade, ensuring that farmers receive a fair price for their cocoa beans. This helps improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families while promoting sustainable farming practices. In this way, they set an example on a smaller scale for the larger companies—which could adopt the same practices if they chose to.

In short, craft chocolate is in many ways clearly superior to industrial chocolate because it is made with high-quality ingredients, produced using traditional methods, and offers a more diverse range of flavors. It also has a positive impact on the environment and people through its commitment to sustainable farming and fair trade.

What makes craft chocolate special?

Made with the finest cocoa. High-quality cocoa purchased at a fair price instead of in bulk.
Produced in the traditional way. The cocoa is fully processed instead of being separated into cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
Offers an incredibly rich range of flavor notes.
Made by passionate, independent, small-scale chocolate makers
Has a positive impact on both the environment and people through sustainable farming and fair trade.

Discover craft chocolate in our online shop, full of exceptional chocolates.

We offer an assortment of hundreds of chocolates from small-scale chocolatiers around the world. Feel free to browse our selection, or if choosing is difficult, opt for a chocolate box or a subscription.