Calling all chocolate lovers! Did you know you can take a delectable tour of a gourmet chocolate factory here in the Tar Heel State? French Broad Chocolates, a farm-to-factory and bean-to-bar chocolate maker, offers 30-minute tours twice a day – every day. For that person you know who is a freak when it comes to chocolate, this is the tour to take. Here’s what you should know:
French Broad Chocolates is located in Asheville and in 2018, expanded their chocolate making capacity significantly with a move into the Ramp Studios near UNC Asheville.
Marc Czarnecki/Google local The new location is a massive 14,000 square feet and is specifically designed to be tour-friendly. The new space gives the chocolate maker the capacity to turn out 50 tons of chocolate per year.
Large windows that overlook each stage of the chocolate making process are in place so visitors can see and learn all about the process of this chocolatier.
French Broad Chocolates/Facebook
The tour includes a behind-the-scenes step-by-step look at the process of making fine chocolate straight from the bean.
Amy Pfaffman/Google local French Broad Chocolates has relationships with farmers who sustainably farm the beans. Once the beans arrive at the factory, the team at French Broad Chocolates carefully sorts them, keeping only the beans that meet standards of quality. After the sorting process is complete, the beans are roasted and winnowed.
From there, it goes into the milling and refining stages.
French Broad Chocolates/Facebook It’s important for the quality of the finished product that all of the particles of chocolate end up a uniform size. Paying particular attention to this one step is what separates the finest chocolates in the world from, well, the not-so-fine chocolates. On the tour, you’ll see the milling and refining processes and learn how French Broad Chocolates spends days milling and refining each batch of fine chocolate.
After a few more steps (you’ll learn about them on the tour), the chocolate is poured into moulds where it is shaken and vibrated to release any air pockets. It is then cooled while it awaits packaging.
David Hanor/Google local After the tour you’ll no doubt be ready to sample the finished product(s).
Luckily, the factory also has a chocolate cafe filled with chocolate confections galore.
French Broad Chocolates/Facebook From artisan truffles to cookies, cakes, brownies, and more, the cafe is filled with chocolate choices that’ll definitely make it difficult to decide what to order. Try their signature chocolate pour: basically, it’s a liquid truffle in a cup. They also have plenty of vegan choices! All of the sensational chocolate treats in the factory cafe are made by French Broad Chocolates with chocolate made on-site in the factory.
After indulging in some of the delectable chocolate confections, check out the many other items for sale.
Jason Los/Google local Buy your own bag of cacao beans and try making your own chocolate… after the tour you’ll certainly know the process!
If you have more than 30 minutes, we suggest scheduling your tour for a Saturday and taking the 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour.
Jason Los/Google local Have you taken a tour of the new factory location at French Broad Chocolates in Asheville yet? We’d love to hear about your experience.
The new French Broad Chocolate Factory and Cafe on Riverside Drive is open seven days week. For hours and tour costs, check the tours link on the website. Both 30 and 60-minute guided tours must be scheduled in advance on the website. If you want to take a 15-minute walk through, those don’t have to be scheduled in advance.
Marc Czarnecki/Google local
The new location is a massive 14,000 square feet and is specifically designed to be tour-friendly. The new space gives the chocolate maker the capacity to turn out 50 tons of chocolate per year.
French Broad Chocolates/Facebook
Amy Pfaffman/Google local
French Broad Chocolates has relationships with farmers who sustainably farm the beans. Once the beans arrive at the factory, the team at French Broad Chocolates carefully sorts them, keeping only the beans that meet standards of quality. After the sorting process is complete, the beans are roasted and winnowed.
It’s important for the quality of the finished product that all of the particles of chocolate end up a uniform size. Paying particular attention to this one step is what separates the finest chocolates in the world from, well, the not-so-fine chocolates. On the tour, you’ll see the milling and refining processes and learn how French Broad Chocolates spends days milling and refining each batch of fine chocolate.
David Hanor/Google local
After the tour you’ll no doubt be ready to sample the finished product(s).
From artisan truffles to cookies, cakes, brownies, and more, the cafe is filled with chocolate choices that’ll definitely make it difficult to decide what to order. Try their signature chocolate pour: basically, it’s a liquid truffle in a cup. They also have plenty of vegan choices! All of the sensational chocolate treats in the factory cafe are made by French Broad Chocolates with chocolate made on-site in the factory.
Jason Los/Google local
Buy your own bag of cacao beans and try making your own chocolate… after the tour you’ll certainly know the process!
Have you taken a tour of the new factory location at French Broad Chocolates in Asheville yet? We’d love to hear about your experience.
Learn more about this chocolate factory tour in North Carolina by visiting the official website of French Broad Chocolates here.
Factory Address: 821 Riverside Drive Suite 199, Asheville, NC, 28801
To visit the source of another famous North Carolina product, keep reading here!
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