Raleigh Story: Escazu'

CommercialStories

Apr 27

Written By

Once again I am hear to tempt you with the treats of Raleigh-- today, Escazu' chocolates!! This amazing Raleigh business has been around since 2005 and opened up shop in 2008. I am finding that for this business, as it is with several others, the fact that they went out on their own was unexpected, not a long term plan. This is how it was for us as a business. When you feel passionately about something you never know where that energy will take you! Hal's advice in starting a business is to "know your field well before venturing into a business. Just because you make great bread at home in no way means you should start a bakery. Expect to spend ridiculous amounts of time and money." True and true.

In front of the shop there are lots of fragrant herbs that the shop uses in their chocolates... it is important to Escazu' to use local, quality ingredients. They were telling me about getting fresh strawberries from a local farmer and working them into their menu- I love this community approach.

The minute you walk in the door you are hit with the oh-so-sweet aroma of chocolate. This is heaven for me, I looooove some chocolate!

Straight from Costa Rica, the source of the sweet smell itself:

The beans roast for a couple of hours in this 1920's roaster, and then age a month.

Then the beans are taken to a warm and cozy part of the kitchen to turn into some liquid chocolate in the 1930's grinder for three to four days- you get a great view of the grinder from the front of the shop.

You can see a video, From Bean to Bar, or sign up for a tour HERE on their website.

Here you see some lime juice action happening... that lime juice then made its way into some amazing chocolate creations.

Notice how these Raleigh businesses like to work together? I LOVE IT.

You can get a Stitch "Chocolate Wallet"-- comes with three bars of chocolate!!

Escazu' might be known for their chocolates but they also have amazing cookies, hot chocolate, and ice cream. There is truly something for everyone here.

The hot chocolate bar... um, their hot chocolate? CRAZY GOOD! Back to that in a minute...

So much reusing and recycling... these cacao sacks are made into wine bags...

These chocolate bar labels made into jewelry...

Everyone that I have met that works at Escazu' are all so kind and caring- its a very chill environment. That must be what all that chocolate aroma will do to you?

This hot chocolate is amazing. No lie. I had not tried it before and Hal sent me home with some (we did the shoot on one of those random chilly spring days)-- look at that steam! Oh the yumminess.