What Is Artisan Chocolate? Unveiling the Craft Behind Every Bite

What Is Artisan Chocolate? Unveiling the Craft Behind Every Bite

A Short Intro to Artisan Chocolate 

There are few things like taking the first bite of a bar of chocolate — especially when that bar is a handcrafted, artisan chocolate bar. So, what exactly is artisan chocolate?

For starters, artisan chocolate stands apart from mass-produced, commercial chocolate by being made with care, using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods. Artisan chocolate focuses on flavour, quality, and the art of chocolate-making. It’s often made in small batches with meticulous attention to detail, offering a unique tasting experience focused on texture, flavour, and more.

Artisan chocolate isn’t just about taste—it’s also about the story behind each bar. Artisan chocolatiers are often more connected to the story of where exactly the chocolate came from. Sometimes, it’s even called “bean-to-bar” to really highlight this. The journey often begins with carefully selecting cocoa beans from specific regions known for their unique flavour profiles. The beans are then roasted to perfection, unlocking their rich, complex flavours.

Why Choose Artisan Chocolate?

Artisan chocolate typically has a heftier price tag, reflecting the effort and quality put into a bar. But when we choose to spend on artisan producers, it can have a real impact.

Each artisan chocolate maker is different, and if you’re curious, it’s worthwhile to look them up to learn more about their process, values, and more — this is a great way to really understand how your spending makes a difference!

People typically prefer artisan chocolate for its incredible taste and quality. Artisan chocolate can also be a more sustainable choice, with many brands supporting ethical sourcing and fair trade practices. By choosing artisan chocolate, you can more positively impact the environment.

Choosing artisan chocolate can also help support communities, both local and global. For example, many artisan chocolatiers in Canada source ingredients from local farmers and businesses, strengthening the local economy and fostering community collaboration. By choosing artisan chocolate, you can help support local artisans both locally and globally.

What are the Types of Artisan Chocolate?

Artisan chocolate comes in various types: milk, dark, and white. Each type is crafted with natural ingredients, such as cocoa beans, sugar, and milk. Unlike mass-produced chocolates, artisan varieties avoid harmful additives. When choosing artisan chocolate, consider the origin of the beans and the craftsmanship involved. Look for chocolates that highlight unique flavours and quality ingredients.

Milk chocolate is a popular choice for its creamy texture and sweet flavour. It’s usually made with cocoa beans, sugar, and milk to create a smooth and indulgent treat. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is known for having a more intense and rich flavour. Dark chocolate has more cocoa solids, giving it a more robust taste. 

There’s also white chocolate, which, interestingly enough, technically isn’t considered as chocolate! White chocolate is a sweet and creamy treat made with cocoa butter, sugar, and milk — so no cocoa solids are involved.

In addition to these traditional types of chocolate, artisan chocolatiers often experiment with unique flavours and ingredients. From unique spices to fruits and nuts, the possibilities for chocolate flavour combinations are endless. This creativity and innovation is just another thing that sets artisan chocolate apart — you can get an entirely unique flavour experience. 

How is Artisan Chocolate Made?

The process of making artisan chocolate is meticulous and time-consuming—it’s all about having control over each step to create the perfect result. The chocolate-making process starts with carefully selecting cocoa beans from specific regions known for their unique flavour profiles. The beans are then roasted to perfection, unlocking their rich, complex flavours. This process is a delicate balance of art and science, requiring skill and intuition to achieve the perfect roast.

Next, the beans are ground and refined to create a smooth, velvety texture. In the chocolate world, this process is called conching. It can take several hours so that the chocolate develops its own rich, complex flavours. Then, the chocolate is tempered—it’s carefully heated and cooled at precise temperatures to achieve the perfect shine and snap. Finally, the chocolate is moulded into bars or other shapes and carefully packaged.

There are plenty of artisan chocolatiers to discover here in Canada. Tasting and trying different artisan chocolate bars is a wonderful way to explore your local artisan talent!

What is an Artisan Chocolatier?

An artisan chocolatier is a skilled artist who creates chocolate confections using passion and expertise. There’s often a distinction between a chocolate maker and a chocolatier. Chocolate makers focus on producing chocolate from cocoa beans—the whole bean-to-bar process. 

Chocolatiers specialize in crafting delightful treats—bars, truffles, confections, and more. Using chocolate, they experiment with flavours, textures, and designs to create unique chocolate experiences.

Artisan Chocolate: A Perfect Gift

Saul Good Gift Co. partners with talented chocolate artisans across Canada in many of its curated artisan gift baskets. We choose to partner with chocolatiers who share the same values we do—quality, sustainability, and creativity. From Vancouver's Thomas Haas to Alberta’s Jacek Chocolate Couture, each artisan brings a unique touch to their creations, making them the perfect addition to corporate gifts and gift baskets.

Take our Fancy Full gift basket, which includes artisan chocolate from local British Columbia producers like Kin + Pod, East Van Roasters, and more. A gift basket like this one can be a wonderful way to delight your clients and loved ones. 

While plenty of gift baskets at Saul Good Gift Co. feature tasty chocolate treats, we also offer a few outstanding chocolate gift baskets — focused on incredible artisan chocolatiers across Canada. Explore our collection and share the joy of artisan chocolate today.