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see you at the market

Last month, a discount grocery chain that is owned by Canada's largest grocery chain sent a text to customers encouraging them to shop at their stores instead of standing in line at farmers markets. Unsurprisingly, that message hurt my heart as a small manufacturer. My chocolate company cannot afford $30K that it takes on average to get a product into a large grocery chain nor would it be easy for me because of the strict delivery rules and unfair pricing model. However, I can attend as many farmer’s markets and maker markets as possible to share my sweet creations with the world. By talking directly to people, I can share my unique point of view on creating flavours, sourcing ingredients and the fun names we...

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bunny adoptions now open 🐰

Spring is slowly arriving in Muskoka with more sunny days and warmer temperatures. Easter is in a few weeks, which means that chocolate bunnies are ready for adoption along with chocolate eggs.Dark, milk and white chocolate bunnies come in two sizes; small and large. This year's chocolate eggs offer a selection of Easter delights: a white chocolate strawberry egg, three caramels, and two mini chocolate bunnies (one blackberry and one dark chocolate). If you prefer the dairy-free (vegan) option, our dark chocolate version and its elements are crafted using our signature house whyte chocolate.

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2024 Easter egg design contest

Here's your golden ticket to have your very own masterpiece reborn as a chocolate egg! Two egg-stra special winners will have their Easter egg design turned into real chocolate eggs. For the month of March, DWN will accept entries in person and through email. Download the colouring sheet or pick one up in store at 21 Peter St South, Orillia. Submissions can be returned to the store or emailed to hello@dwnchocolate.com. Anyone who returns their entry to the retail store will receive a participation button. The DWN retail store is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm.⁠ This contest is open to all ages and the winner will be chosen by a random draw on April 5, 2024. The winner...

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a heartfelt thank you 🫶

When you have a chocolate company, there is a very small window of time for rest when the holiday season is over. Valentine's Day falls just six weeks after the beginning of the new year, which can feel overwhelming following the Christmas rush. The beginning of February 2024 seems like a blur as we finished launching the Valentine's Day collection, fulfilled special orders, and prepared for the Winter Chocolate Show in Toronto.This is a simple message of gratitude. We love our customers. We love meeting new people and talking chocolate whether it is in our retail store or on the road. Your support enables us to pursue our passion; offering distinctive and delicious chocolate treats.Exciting announcements are on the horizon, and we look forward...

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Pataxte (aka Jaguar)

This chocolate bar is the result of one of Chocolate Alchemy's chocolate-making kits. When I first opened the contents, I thought that I had received a large bag of oats (not such a strange concept since many chocolate makers use oats / oat milk powder as a dairy substitute in chocolate making). However, the bag actually contained roasted Pataxte nibs, which are commonly known as Jaguar Cocoa. The unusual, beige colour of the bean comes from the fact that it is theobroma bicolour, not theobroma cacao (classic cacao). Theobroma bicolour contains less fat and more protein and fiber than theobroma cacao. According to John Nanci (the Chocolate Alchemist), "[t]here is no cocoa flavour, with the predominant flavour being a cross between...

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