80 North3100 San Pablo Ave., (enter factory at 1222 67th St.), (844) 877-8246. Tour $15, includes a 25% discount in chocolate store. Must be age 7+. No animals.
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| entrance to TCHO Chocolate factory tour in Berkeley, California |
Everything I always wanted to know about chocolate was explained--from bean to bar--by the enthusiastic guide on the 90-minute TCHO chocolate-tasting and factory tour. It was an especially nice way to spend a dreary day.
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| instruction at TCHO Chocolate factory tour in Berkeley, California |
First we learned from our cheery, knowledgeable guide, how to pronounce TCHO. It is cho with a long o. All of the chocolate is organic and 100 per cent plant based. A placemat holds some chocolate samples for guided tasting, as well as crunchy roasted cacao nibs. A cacao pod was passed around, surprising some of us by how large it was. Truthfully, at one point I experienced a bit of information overload and was resuscitated by the next taste of chocolate. One of the interesting tidbits I picked up is that, as with grapes in wine making, different soils bestow different flavors on the cacoa beans. I also learned that the caffeine content is lower than I thought in chocolate--darn, because I like to use it as a pick-me-up.  |
| tasting placemat at TCHO Chocolate factory tour in Berkeley, California |
The second half of the experience is an actual factory tour. After stowing any jewelry or purses or backpacks in lockers, participants suit up in smocks and hair nets and head in. (Do remember to leave your smocks on for a photo op at the “Hollywood” background board before or after your tour.) But you won’t be seeing Willy Wonka or any Oompa Loompas here. The equipment is strictly shiny, streamlined state of the art.
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TCHO Chocolate factory tour in Berkeley, California
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machine seen on TCHO Chocolate factory tour in Berkeley, California
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| overview of TCHO Chocolate factory in Berkeley, California |
When the tour concludes, participants have the opportunity to buy TCHO products at 25 percent discount. At the time I was here, there was also a table full of goodies discounted at 50%. At the end of our tour, my companion and I bought two chocolate bars we had tasted--a Holy Fudge for him (a single-origin 70% from Ghana), and a Toffee Time for me (their best seller, made with oat milk, chocolate, and vegan toffee bits). Note that chocolates are sometimes also offered at discount at special events held at the factory, and the entire TCHO line is carried by Berkeley Bowl.
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| chocolate bars at TCHO Chocolate factory in Berkeley, California |
Tours are not on a regular schedule. Visit this site for more information. It is interesting to know that the TCHO factory premises is located in Berkeley, but the overall building it is within is touching three cities--Berkeley, Oakland, and Emeryville!
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