Apparently it *only* cost 20K (usually retails for 5x that!). SEEDS~ Ceiling-high machine used to process cacao pods. Nibs galore! Detailed look at a ground cacao seed. Crankenstein, AKA a burr grinder used to separate the hard exoderm from the cacao nibs. A hollowed-out cacao pod with cacao seeds. A snap of the video we watched (around 15-20 mins long), probably the least interesting part of the tour. We were made to watch a short video about the harvesting of cocoa, of which Raaka proudly does sustainably + ethically. The tour began with a quick summary of Raaka’s origins (Raaka means “raw” in Finnish), then we were escorted to another room, where we learned about cocoa beans and how beans are harvested, separated from their hard outer shells and the ground into cocoa paste, later to be tempered into smooth chocolate. Everything was clean and food-grade-looking. The factory is decently sized, though in no way was it the size of, say, an airplane hangar. I probably spent more than 10 minutes sampling all the flavors laid out on their table #noshameinmychocogame It’s really more of a bitter, slightly sweet and mostly dark bar with sophisticated tasting notes that go better with wine, not milk. My kind of joint!Ī quick note: the chocolate at Raaka is not on the sweet, creamy side.

There were bowls of chocolate circles in front of each pile of choco bars for anyone who wanted to take (ie: everyone), and no judgement was cast as to how many we ate. After booking the tour via email, me +3 headed over and were greeted by the sweet, though a bit lackluster, Raaka staff. I’ll admit, I was first lured into seeking a class after receiving a Pulsd email touting a deal for an all-inclusive choco-making class with plenty of choco-tasting included (psst: sign up with my link to get $5 off your first Pulsd!). Clean, chocolatey and cacao everywhere, just the way I like it!

Amongst many of my lost callings-in-life (ballerina, movie star, celeb vegan chef animal trainer - the list goes enthusiastically on), this one was, at least, tempered a bit (choco pun intended!) with my trip to Raaka chocolate factory, conveniently located in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Kor tor mor brooklyn ny new