history or craft chocolate? why not both?

In late October 2020, I decided I needed another hobby.

Not really another hobby, per se, but more like "What will be my second career during my retirement years?” I know myself well enough to admit I won’t be one of those retirees who stops learning and trying new things.

I decided to explore 2 avenues: pursing a second master’s degree and/or PhD in WWII history, or becoming a craft chocolate taster of sorts. With either avenue, I knew studying history would part of both journeys. I’ve always been a history aficionado, and retirement looked like the perfect opportunity to take up this hobby, full-time.

Both of my grandfathers were WWII and Korean War Veterans. Both earned Purple Hearts. One was a Ba’taan Death March Survivor and POW. One was a Sakada worker in Hawaii before he enlisted in the US Army.

As compelling as both stories are, my family’s cooperation in helping me document our family history was met with much resistance. I’m at the point in my life where I want to avoid as much drama as possible…

Which is why you’re reading my first blog post as the Wandering Chocoholic, where I’ll combine my love for history, chocolate, learning, and travel into my passion project. Where this journey is taking me, I have no idea. All I know is… the journey, to date, has been fun, educational, and I can’t wait to (post-pandemic) fill my passport with stamps from countries that grow cacao.

In the meantime, I’ll post craft chocolate resources I’ve found along my journey. Tastings, books, courses, films, history, podcasts, publications, talks, videos.

As a Filipina-American, born and raised in San Jose, CA, I’m also listing CA based chocolate makers and chocolatiers, woman-owned shops, and Filipino-American chocolate makers and chocolatiers.

Thank you for joining me on my journey!

Wandering Chocoholic