Taza Chocolate
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chocolate production |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Alex Whitmore |
| Headquarters | Somerville , United States |
Area served | United States, select global markets |
Key people | Alex Whitmore (Founder), Kathleen Fulton (Co-founder) |
| Products | Stone ground chocolate bars and discs, Chocolate covered nuts |
Taza Chocolate is an organic chocolate producer inspired by Mexican traditions, specializing in stoneground chocolate and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA. Established in 2005 by Alex Whitmore, the brand features a portfolio of more than 40 varieties distributed across approximately 2,800 retail outlets nationwide.
History
The inception of Taza Chocolate dates back to 2005 when Alex Whitmore encountered stone ground chocolate during his visit to Oaxaca, Mexico. By 2006, he had launched a manufacturing facility in Somerville, Massachusetts, equipped with authentic and vintage machinery such as stone mills imported from Oaxaca, an Italian winnower sourced from the Dominican Republic, and a Barth Sirocco roaster from Italy.
Originally, cacao beans were procured through intermediaries; however, Whitmore subsequently embarked on journeys throughout Central and South America as well as the Caribbean to forge direct trade connections with cacao cultivators. Co-founder Kathleen Fulton has played a significant role in nurturing these relationships, overseeing ethical sourcing practices and quality assurance.
Taza Chocolate's distribution network spans the United States and extends to select global markets.
Direct trade process
Employing Certified USDA organic and non-GMO cacao, Taza Chocolate maintains direct trade partnerships with small-scale certified organic cacao farmers. These collaborations eliminate middlemen, enabling the company to compensate growers at rates exceeding Fair Trade minimums.
Products
The product lineup includes stone ground chocolates presented as bars and discs, such as:
The Amaze Bars: Stone ground chocolate combined with diverse flavor profiles
- Wicked Dark
- Cacao Crunch
- Coconut
- Coconut Almond
- Espresso Buzz
- Maple Pecan
- Deliciously Dark
- Raspberry Crunch
- Sea Salt Almond
- Toffee, Almond & Sea Salt
- Seriously Dark
- Wicked Dark with Coconut
- Wicked Dark with Ginger
- Wicked Dark with Toasted Quinoa
Chocolate Covered Treats: Stone ground dark chocolate enveloping almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts
Chocolate Mexicano Discs: Organic Mexican-style rustic dark chocolate discs available in flavors such as:
- Cacao Puro
- 85% Super Dark
- Chipotle Chili
- Cinnamon
- Coffee
- Guajillo Chili
- Salted Almond
- Vanilla
Origin Bars: Minimally processed stone ground bars offered in:
- 70% Dark Dominican Republic
- 80% Dark Dominican Republic
- 87% Dark Bolivia