December 2020: Challenge Accepted

When I started my journey as the Wandering Chocoholic, I challenged myself to review 24 bars in December, as sort of an ode to a 'Craft Chocolate Advent Calendar'.

I decided to take it a step further, and added a layer of difficulty: let's feature California based chocolate makers and chocolatiers for the whole month of December.

Being new to this ("this" meaning learning and understanding the unique flavors of craft chocolate for the first time), put me in the 'ignorance is bliss' category. I had no idea what challenges lay ahead:

1) Finding California based chocolate makers and chocolatiers.

2) Shipping during the busiest shipping time of the year, and during the global pandemic. I didn't anticipate chocolate not arriving on time for my timeline.

At the beginning of this challenge, I didn't even know the difference between a chocolate maker and chocolatier, let alone know who was based here. I've come a long way a month into my journey. I also learned I will plan well ahead for any challenges I set forth for myself next year.

Here are the California based chocolate makers and chocolatiers I featured on IG this December (in alphabetical order):

1- Anette's Chocolates (Napa)

2- Bar Au Chocolat (Manhattan Beach)

3- ChocoVivo (Los Angeles)

4- Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad)

5- CocoTutti (Brisbane)

6- Codinha Chocolate (Los Angeles)

7- Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (Eureka)

8- Endorfin Foods (Berkeley)

9- Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates (Sacramento)

10- Jade Chocolates (San Francisco)

11- LetterPress Chocolate (Los Angeles)

12- Menchaca Chocolates (Santa Barbara)

13- Michael's Chocolates (South San Francisco)

14- Nibble Chocolate (San Diego)

15- Oodaalolly (San Francisco)

16- Parliament Chocolate (Redlands)

17- Raphio Chocolate (Fresno)

18- Socola Chocolatier (San Francisco)

19- Tcho Chocolate (Berkeley)

20- TinyB Chocolate (South San Francisco)

Stats:

20 California based chocolate makers and chocolatiers

11 in Northern California

9 in Southern California

10 Woman Owned

I'll continue to feature California based chocolate makers and chocolatiers in 2021. Follow these hashtags in IG: #sfbayareachocolates #californiachocoholic #californiachocoholics

Challenges I'm considering for 2021:

- Read one cacao or chocolate book per month

- Attend one virtual chocolate tasting per month

Craft Chocolate challenges, featuring:

- Ginger

- Hawaiian cacao

- Wine or alcohol (or both)

- Woman chocolate makers and chocolatiers

Stay tuned, and happy new year!