It’s my bar of chocolate. Give it to me now!
Although I have forbidden myself from subscribing to magazines, I still get a few in the mailbox every month due to my loving sister who wishes I was more cosmopolitan (and by cosmopolitan I mean spending less of my time in bars, I think). Thus, I get Seattle magazine and I dutifully read it on the bus in the early weeks of each month. And double thus, I learn a little something-something about the city. Thanks, sis!
Sooo, two issues ago (June?) they ran a piece about Theo Chocolate, the cozy new chocolate factory located in the former Red Hook brewery in Fremont. I wasn’t even one quarter of one quarter done with the article before I knew I had to go on a tour myself. Hello? I’ve been known to go on brewery tours of beers I don’t even like, so a factory tour of a high-end chocolatier is kind of a no-brainer for me.
Before, during, and for about 2 hours after the tour, I was downright giddy. It’s five dolla (cheap!), basically three or so rooms (easy!), and a lot of chocolate samples (delicious!). Plus, the tour guide was so super cute in a I’m high on life kind of way. Simply put, the tour rocked.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but here are a few tid-bits from the tour:
- They are Fair Trade Certified.
- They use certified organic cocoa beans and other ingredients.
- When possible, they use local goods in their confections.
Oh yes, guilt-free chocolate goodness. Need I say more?
The only disappointment that I felt during the tour is that I didn’t see any oompa-loompas or a chocolate river. I guess that might have been expecting too much. On the other hand, I was glad there wasn’t a hallucinogenic boat ride.
Anyhow, if you’ve got some free time and/or visitors in town, take one of the two daily tours (1 and 3 p.m.). Call ahead to make sure there’s room for you 206.632.5100. Or, you could just buy one of their products (3400 Phinney or Theo (origin) bars) at your local upscale market. I found a fix at the Metropolitan Market on Admiral, I’m sure PCC and the like will have some as well.
Central Market, in Shoreline, carries Theo Chocolates as well.
So does the Greenwood Market. On your recommendation we tried a sampler pack of Theo chocolates yesterday - we paid $9 for 6 chocolates, but holy crap were they good.
Yeah, we bought the full-on 15 piece box for twenty some odd bucks. Totally worth it. But that’s just me. They sell a 6-pack of Theo bars at the factory for $12 or $15 (I can’t remember for sure) which is a deal.
I’ve seen their chocolates at Victrola, too. Ever since, I’ve been thinking about visiting the factory — great to read about the tour!