Last month, I found myself explaining the legal definition of chocolate more times than I expected, so I thought this might be a good opportunity to return to the basics. I had one customer send me a video of a large truffle producer that uses vegetable fats blended into the filling to keep it soft, smooth, and shelf-stable. I also met an entrepreneur who was surprised to learn that the melting wafers they were buying from Bulk Barn are not legally considered chocolate in Canada, but confectionery coatings.And then there was a conversation with a reporter from a major Canadian network, where I had to explain that some of the country’s most recognizable “chocolate bars” are, by legal definition, actually candy bars. In Canada,...
It may have snowed a bit this past Saturday, but the budding branches are a sure sign that spring is just around the corner — and so is Mother’s Day. While we wait for the new season’s harvest in Simcoe County, we’ve crafted our In Bloom collection using flavours preserved from last year: a lavender-infused caramel with flowers from Greenwood Hill Farm, Canadian freeze-dried strawberries, dried mint from Foggy River Farm, and local honey.If you’re hoping to give Mom a moment to slow down and savour, let us help you create something personal — think cozy mugs, small-batch tea, golden jars of honey, locally made jam, and of course, chocolate.Pop in and we’ll help you put something together she’ll love. 💛
As the season changes, we’re introducing a few new releases that carry the bright sense of anticipation of warmer days.crafted from the last berries of 2025, the haskap berries and lemon bar combines tangy haskap berries with lemon chocolate and is finished with pieces of candied lemonoriginally created for the advent calendar, the birch pecans in milk chocolate have become a permanent offering by popular demand — birch sap, collected after the maple run, brings a deep, caramelized noteinspired by the classic tart, the lemon meringue malt balls bring together crisp malt, tart lemon white chocolate, and a final layer of caramelized white chocolateanother advent favourite that’s here to stay, the dark chocolate salted peppercorn features hand-harvested Cambodian green peppercorns—brined and dried for a bright pop of heat—folded into 60% dark chocolateand as we...
Last week, Dawn was featured on CBC’s Ontario Morning and CTV News Barrie, sharing insight into the rising cost of chocolate and what’s driving it. That conversation began on CTV News in the context of Easter chocolate. While cocoa prices have recently started to ease, there’s a lag before those changes are reflected on store shelves—meaning higher prices are still being felt by consumers this season. On CBC Radio, the focus was on the global cocoa market, where supply challenges have pushed prices to historic highs. For small-batch makers, these shifts directly impact sourcing and pricing—making it more important than ever to stay transparent and committed to quality. Across both interviews, the message was clear: chocolate is shaped by a complex...
