With the Christmas holiday season wrapping up, Valentine's Day is just around the corner with Easter not too far behind. Given the chocolatey nature of these holidays I've decided to dedicate my time over the next little while to Canadian chocolate makers. Having lived for many years in Calgary, my two favourite chocolate destinations are Choklat located in Inglewood on 9th Avenue SE and Epiphanie Chocolate located on 11th Street SW in the Beltline. Choklat, by far, has the best chocolate I have ever had. Their truffles are to die for and according to their website, they are the only chocolatier in the world to offer truffles made fresh to order. When I left Calgary for a couple of years to work in Nova Scotia I would have a friend regularly send me truffles so I could get my "fix". Choklat was also one of the first chocolatiers in Canada to offer bean-to-bar, meaning they process the cocoa beans themselvesto make their own chocolate rather than purchasing chocolate from another manufacturer and melting it down to use.
Epiphanie Chocolate is more of a traditional chocolatier but with some very creative twists to the traditional chocolate, like double smoked bacon. While not bean-to-bar, Epiphanie sources its chocolate from the world's finest chocolate makers and creates their own very unique and delicious fillings. I've often given Epiphanie chocolates as corporate gifts to clients and their chocolates can be found in restaurants around Calgary.
I hope you stay tuned as I dive into the world of chocolate making and seek out some of Canada's best chocolatiers and confectionaries. If you are as much of a chocolate lover as I am, I promise it will be worth your time!
