Why It Matters Where Your Chocolate Comes From
A few months ago, a customer came into our shop, picked up a bag of our Snacking Chocolate, and paused.
“Why does it say where the chocolate’s from?” she asked.
“I’ve never cared about where chocolate comes from.”
It’s an honest moment—a reflection of how most of us were introduced to chocolate: as something sweet, wrapped up, and anonymous. A comfort food. A candy aisle staple. Not something to question.
But for us at Harvest Chocolate, that small question gets to the heart of everything we do.
Chocolate Has a Story—And It Starts with Place
Every chocolate bar starts as a cacao bean—grown in tropical regions around the world. Just like grapes in wine or beans in coffee, cacao’s flavor is shaped by where it’s grown, or—the origin—
- Guatemala: bright and fruity, with notes of citrus and red berries
- Ecuador: smooth and nutty, with floral undertones
- Uganda: bold, with hints of dried fruit
These aren’t flavorings—they’re the natural characteristics of cacao, shaped by soil, climate, and fermentation. Soil, climate, altitude, and how the beans are harvested, fermented, dried, and roasted —all influence flavor.
These differences are real—and they’re delicious.
From Transparency to Taste
We label the origin on every one of our Snacking Chocolate varieties not just for transparency (though that’s important to us), but because we want you to notice. We want you to ask that question: “Where did this come from?” And then maybe: “What does that taste like?”
Naming the origin is about honoring the farmers who grow this cacao. It’s about being honest about what’s inside the bar. And it’s about sharing our passion for craft chocolate in a way that invites curiosity and exploration.
Because once you begin to taste the difference between origins, a whole new world opens up.
An Invitation to Explore
The moment that customer asked us that simple question, it reminded us why we started making chocolate in the first place: to reconnect people with what they eat, to celebrate the hands and lands behind every bar, and to turn everyday indulgence into something more meaningful.
So the next time you’re choosing chocolate, pause and take a look at where it comes from.
You might discover a flavor you’ve never tasted before—and a story you didn’t know you were a part of.
Want to explore origin flavors for yourself? Visit our shop at 110 W. Chicago Blvd, in Tecumseh, MI or browse our Snacking Chocolate Collection to discover single-origin chocolate and tasting sets that highlight the unique character of cacao from around the world.