Aug 15, 2025
What Does “Bean-to-Bar” Actually Mean?
At Encore Coffee & Chocolate, when we say “bean-to-bar,” we mean it literally. It’s not just a buzzword — it describes the full process of making our chocolate. We start with raw cacao beans and end with a finished bar that we’ve handcrafted entirely in-house.
Unlike mass-produced chocolate (which often begins with pre-processed chocolate liquor or couverture), bean-to-bar chocolate is made from scratch. That gives us full control over every stage: sourcing, roasting, grinding, refining, and molding.
From Raw Bean to Finished Bar
Our chocolate starts with ethically sourced cacao beans — selected for both flavor and transparency. Once they arrive at our facility, we:
- Hand-sort each batch to remove defects or debris
- Roast the beans to develop flavor (similar to our coffee)
- Crack and winnow to separate nibs from husks
- Refine and conch with organic sugar and any added ingredients
- Temper and mold into finished bars
The result? Chocolate with depth and character — not just sweetness.
Why It Matters
Bean-to-bar matters because it’s transparent, intentional, and honest:
- Flavor integrity: You taste real cacao, not filler
- Ethical sourcing: We choose beans from producers who pay fair wages and support sustainable practices
- Craftsmanship: Every step is done in-house, in small batches
- Freshness: Our bars don’t sit in warehouses — they’re made and wrapped right here
So How Is It Different?
Most commercial chocolate is made in large factories from bulk ingredients — often with additives, emulsifiers, and generic flavors.
Bean-to-bar chocolate is the opposite:
Simple ingredients. Transparent sourcing. Real flavor. No shortcuts.
Taste the Difference
We believe chocolate should be crafted with the same care and intention as our coffee. If you haven’t tried bean-to-bar before, we’d love to share the experience with you.
Whether you start with our award-winning Tanzania Milk Chocolate, the fan-favorite Café Mocha bar, or our bold 85% Ecuador dark chocolate, each bar tells a story.