Our Chocolate Tasting Experience at French Broad Chocolate Factory

What’s in your pocket? During the reign of the Aztec Empire, you may have been considered wealthy if you had a pocketful of cacao (ka-kau) beans. Even though we’re not using cacao beans as currency today, the chocolate they produce is still highly treasured.

Last year, my daughters treated me to a chocolate tasting at the French Broad Chocolate Factory and Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina. The experience was delightful. It provided a wonderful reminder that truly savoring something requires time and patience.

Dipping into a chocolate factory for a chocolate tasting experience needs to be on every chocolate lover’s bucket list!

French Broad Chocolate Factory

The French Broad Chocolate Factory roasts, winnows, refines, grinds, conches, and tempers direct-sourced cacao. The Chocolate Factory is located at 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC.

Reservations are required for their scheduled events and tours. The one we did was called “The Exploration of Origin Tasting.” It lasts approximately 45 minutes and is recommended for adults only. I think interested teens would enjoy it as well. There is a charge for the special events and tours, but it’s reasonable, and well worth it. Remember, we’re talking about chocolate!

Rich aromas envelope you the moment you open the door to the factory. Our mouths instantly began to water. We were ready to let the chocolate tasting begin! But, alas, you must arrive ten, torturous minutes before your tour or event begins. When the time finally arrives, you’re led to the location of your event. Ours was set up in a special room adjacent to the cafe.

“The Exploration of Origin” Tasting Event

A laminated card was placed at each seat, along with a glass of water, napkin, and spoon. On top of each card were samples tempting us to dive right in.

However, we had to practice patience once again. We were asked not to touch anything until instructed to do so. If only it had not smelled so good! Restraint in a chocolate factory is nearly impossible for some of us.

I’ll not spoil the adventure by sharing all the details. But, the beginning of the tasting involves learning a little about the history of the French Broad Chocolate Factory. The presenter did a fabulous job. She was enthusiastic and entertaining! Also, we learned fascinating facts about the cacao bean and the chocolate-making process.

Learning about the country of origin and the people the chocolate factory partners with was interesting. You begin to understand why some chocolates cost more than others. A tremendous amount of hard work goes into producing excellent chocolate.

And, it takes time! It takes almost five years for a cacao seed to bear fruit!

Tasting Chocolate

When you attend a chocolate tasting event at French Broad Chocolate Factory, you will learn how to properly taste chocolate. Contrary to popular belief, and challenging as it may be, it is not to be gulped down in one bite.

You learn how to break the chocolate and smell it first. Identify the undertones. Are they earthy, sweet, floral? Take a little bite. Hold it in your mouth. Savor it and identify subtle tastes within the chocolate. During the tasting, you’ll compare and contrast flavor notes of various forms of chocolate. It’s a fun and educational experience.

My Favorite Part of Our Chocolate Tasting Experience

It’s tough to choose a favorite among all the delicious treats we experienced that day. I think it’s a tie between the Nicaragua 68% dark chocolate bar and the exquisite dark chocolate liquid truffle drink.

Down through history, many folks have thought chocolate had a medicinal nature. I do believe a daily dose of that chocolate truffle drink would certainly make me forget the aches and pains of aging!

But, to be honest, my absolute favorite part of our chocolate tasting experience was that it was shared with my daughters. That part I savored the most.

We did buy a few treats before heading home. Here’s a confession even my mother hasn’t heard: I bought her one of their heavenly $6.00 brownies. She loves chocolate as much as I do, and I wanted to surprise her with it. But, there was a problem. During the long drive home, I pinched off a corner of it, thinking she’d never know its original size. Sadly, patience and self-control did not win the battle of the brownie that day. My mom, bless her heart, never got to experience tasting that gourmet brownie.

I plan to rectify that and take her to experience French Broad’s Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory Tour next month. And, I’ll treat her to a brownie, if she likes.

I’d offer to bring you something back. But, as you now know, it may be best if you visit French Broad Chocolate Factory yourself!

Perhaps we can make this a yearly tradition–gathering all the chocolate-loving family members for a day of chocolate. Now, that would make us memory-making moms! For a short time, there’s a chocolate handwriting sheet and a no-bake brownie recipe card under the Resources tab above. If you’re unable to access them, contact me and I’ll send them to you.

And, be sure to add touring a chocolate factory to your wish list, or your list of “Family Staycation” ideas, so you can savor riches in your pocket and your heart.

Let’s hear from you! What’s your favorite kind of chocolate? Have you experienced a chocolate tasting event at a chocolate factory before?

A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online, and print publications

Sally focuses on the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on various social media sites. But, if she’s not hanging out with family and friends, or engaging in an American history class, you’ll most often find her at SallyMatheny.com or Pinterest.