tour the theo chocolate factory in fremont

Visiting Theo

Thanks for your interest in visiting Theo! While the Factory Experience is now closed, we'd love to see you at our Flagship Store & Confection Kitchen.

Stop by to shop our handmade chocolate creations or join us for an in-store Tasting Experience or class!

Theo Flagship Store

OPEN Tuesday-Sunday | 10:30am - 6pm

Stop by the Theo Flagship store to explore exclusive handmade confections and chocolate creations made by our team of chocolatiers.

In-Store Tasting Experience

Daily | 30 min

Join us for a guided tasting of chocolate bars and handmade confections with one of our experts, including a demo of the art of chocolate tempering.

Classes & Events

Join us at the Theo Flagship Store for classes that will take your chocolate expertise to the next level. Learn to make ganache, or bring the kids for a bark-making class. You'll never leave empty-handed...

Kids Chocolate Story Time

Join us for a delicious chocolate story time for kids age 2-6 to learn all about where chocolate comes from. We'll taste yummy treats and read an original book.

Great for families and birthday parties, too!

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT THEO

MISSION & VALUES

We're committed to creating high quality chocolate, ensuring everyone who touches the business thrives.

Learn More >

ETHICAL SOURCING

It's core to who we are as a company. We source organic & fair trade whenever possible and available.

delicious treats

Our chocolate starts with high quality ingredients for truly delicious, boldly flavorful creations.

Shop Now >

All Rights Reserved. © Copyright 2024 Theo Chocolate, Inc.

Theo’s Chocolate Factory Tour in Fremont

Fremont is home to: giant rock trolls, blue bridges, ivy hedges shaped like a brontosaurus family, colorful boutiques, book stores, restaurants, and a high-energy nightlife. As I snack on a Chai Tea Milk Chocolate bar, I am pleased to mention that this fun-filled, artsy neighborhood plays host to a red-bricked chocolate factory as well— Theo’s Chocolate Factory .

The scientific name of chocolate, Theo broma, literally translates into ‘Food of the gods.’ Everybody loves chocolate. Seinfeld star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, placed chocolate as number 3 on her list of “Things I can’t live without,” right behind number 2, her family, and number 1, her husband. And chocolate probably comes in second only to wine on the Lord’s “Earth: Top 10” list. Chocolate is said to have originated in South America, and like an Israelite’s fruitful grape vineyard, seed-filled cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility to ancient Mayans.

You’ll learn more facts like this during the informative first half of the tour. But before going on here’s a brief background of this special company. Theo’s Chocolate Factory was launched in 2006 by founder, Joseph Winney, whose first job was drying cacao seeds on a chocolate farm in Central America. Although the company is technically still an infant, Theo’s has already achieved nation-wide prestige and garnered numerous culinary awards.

Theo’s has been featured in numerous magazines including ‘O’, Food & Wine, and Bon Apetit; it was also mentioned as the “Snack of the Day” on The Rachel Ray Show, and was the winner of Time magazine’s first-ever “Conscientious Chocolate” Eco-Epicurean award. In addition, Theo’s flavored chocolate bars can be found in Whole Foods throughout the country.

Yet despite high demands, Theo’s still operates according to the ethics that made it stand out in the first place. Theo’s is the only chocolate factory in the United States to make certified fair-trade and organic chocolate, meaning that the chocolate farmers in Central America who they buy from are paid well, and that all of their various cooking ingredients are 100% natural, containing no synthetic agents.

In addition to being ethic-based, all-natural, and public-friendly, Theo’s makes delicious and inventive chocolate. Classic flavors include orange, mint, cherry-almond, and chili; while Theo’s fantasy flavors include Coconut Curry (rich and spicy), Coffee and Vanilla, Nib Brittle and Fig Fennel Almond. There’s also the 3400 Phinney Bar (named after the factory address in Fremont), which is milk chocolate liquor mixed with toasted and salted bread bits sourced from a local bakery. Much of Theo’s chocolate is extra-dark, and some bars contain as much as 91% cocoa. Typical store-bought candy bars only have around 12%.

Confections like Big Daddy’s or Rose Caramels, and seasonal chocolates such as Ghost Chili chocolate caramels sprinkled with red and gold chili flakes, or Gingerbread Spice chocolate bars (which we noticed were in the works during the tour) are only sold in Theo’s Seattle store.

The second half of the tour takes you into the actual factory where you get to see which machines do what. It’s a 16-step process from bean bag to the shop, but there are a few steps pictured below:

For the finale, we taste-tested savory confections in the kitchen, and watched as workers painted on the faces of chocolate-covered marshmallow bats and ghosts.

This tour is perfect for kids and adults. Even the information session is fun because it’s filled with questions that kids can answer and chocolate samples to taste. Nicole was very energetic and liked hearing from all different ages. This is one of the best tours around, and at $6 it can’t be beat. Plus, if you’re like me, this pleasant tour will help you to finally overcome “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” nightmares!

Click here to reserve your spot on a tour, or to check out special in-house “theonista” events like Chocolate University, Friday night movies, and other seasonal gatherings.

Hi, I'm Ashleigh! Welcome to Seattle Travel, my little piece of beautiful PNW. This is home and I'm here to share all my experiences so visitors and locals alike can find the best experiences this part of the country has to offer. I started Seattle Travel in 2012 as a way to journal my experiences and over the years have been encouraged by family and friends to open up my adventures to everyone. I actively seek out the best food, activities, and day trips and give you a local perspective.  The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and my goal is to let you explore it to the fullest. 

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Touring Theo Chocolate Factory

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Like a real life Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, you too can tour a chocolate factory!

In Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, Theo Chocolate has been providing organic chocolate since 1980.

The factory is easy to find: just follow the scent of chocolate wafting through the air. The big brick building on the corner of Phinney Ave and N 35th St is unique among the office buildings housing Facebook, Google, and Adobe.

Theo Chocolate offers tours daily and last for one hour. The tour costs $10 per person and includes lots of free samples!

Before we could begin the tour, we had to suit up. As this is a working food production facility, certain cleanliness requirements must be maintained. We donned hairnets (plus beard-nets for the guys!) and lint rolled our clothing for any traces of hair, dust or other foreign particles that could get into the chocolate.

The tour began in a classroom, where we learned about chocolate production. Theo is special because it was the first purveyor of organic chocolate in the United States. They still maintain the highest level of quality in order to meet the Fair Trade and Fair for Life organic standards.

Fun fact: Most people think that Theo Chocolate is named after a guy named Theo. Wrong! The name actually comes from the seed from which chocolate is made, Theobroma cacao.

As our tour guide explained the process of making chocolate, we sampled all kinds of different chocolate. I was partial to the raspberry chocolate , but the ginger chocolate was pretty tasty as well.

Now on to the fun part.

Step right through, to the magical world of chocolate making at Theo Chocolate!

The factory is not very big, but it is pretty impressive what they can do. Watching from the windows, we witnessed the various stages of chocolate production.

Here is a handy chart for reference:

What’s exciting is that all of these steps are done right here in the Fremont factory. We learned that the machines come from Germany, and are prone to breaking down. (We saw one being repaired as we were there). We tasted cocoa nibs (quite bitter), but with a distinct banana flavor.

After a careful stroll through the factory floor, we entered the confection kitchen. This is where the magic happens.

There were no oompa-loompahs (last Willy Wonka reference, I swear) but there were several chocolatiers creating the next big thing in chocolate. There was also a pretty cool Han Solo ‘frozen’ in chocolate.

After more chocolate (and toffee!) samples, the tour route deposited us in the gift shop. With our appetites whetted and our 10% off coupons in hand, we scoured the store to score more of the amazing chocolate we tasted.

Address : 3400 Phinney Ave Tours : $10 per person Reservations : https://www.theochocolate.com/factory-tours

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Theo Chocolate Tour I A Chocolate Lover’s Dream

by Tove Tupper | 0 comments

If you love chocolate, enjoy learning how things are made, and find yourself in Seattle, then the Theo Chocolate tour is just for you. Theo Chocolate is a Seattle-based company that currently sells its chocolate in all 50 states. They make your typical milk and dark chocolate bars, but they also make unique chocolate bars that have crazy flavors including coconut curry and ghost chili. Everything is made and packaged in their small factory located in the Fremont neighborhood and seven days a week the staff gives anyone and everyone an incredible tour of their factory.

The Theo Chocolate tour starts off in a room where your tour guide tells you all about how the chocolate is made and what makes Theo Chocolate different. Theo Choclate is the country’s first USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade chocolate company (since opening up shop, a few other chocolate companies have received tehse certifications as well. Today, Theo Chocolate is also Non-GMO Project certified.

Having these certifications is not easy. Theo Chocolate must take many, many, many extra steps (and pay lots of money). Since I work for an eco-friendly company, I understand and respect Theo Chocolate’s dedication to their product, customers and the environment. After the snapshot of Theo Chocolate, the tour continues into the factory. The tour guide tells you all about the cocoa fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) and the cocoa beans that are found inside the fruit. The cocoa beans are what’s used to make chocolate. Similar to coffee beans, the taste of the cocoa beans varies depending on where the fruit is grown.

Once the beans arrive in Seattle (mostly from farms located around the equator), Theo Chocolate’s chocolate-making-experts get to work. The beans are first roasted and then milled which turns them into a liquid. Once the beans are a liquid, they add all the different flavors. This includes fruit, nuts, chilies, spices, bread and salt.

Next, you head into the kitchen. This is where all the caramels and confections are made. Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, we watched one cook make chocolate hearts filled with a cherry bourbon caramel, while another cook was roasting coconut flakes to go into a different chocolate bar. One of the best parts of the tour was seeing how much fun the employees at Theo Chocolate have. Everyone in the kitchen was laughing and smiling and having a great time. After the kitchen, you get to see where Theo Chocolate molds the chocolate bars and packages everything up.

The Theo Chocolate tours are offered several times a day. You can call ahead or make a reservation  online . Or, you can o what Tim and I did and just show up. The tours cost $14 a person, which we fell is well worth the price. Not only do you learn so much about Theo Chocolate and the process of making chocolate, but you also get to try a lot of chocolate through the whole tour (which was probably my favorite part). The tour ends in the retail show (where you get a 10% discount on your purchases for going on the tour). Of course, I insisted Tim and I buy all the great chocolate we had just tasted and watched being made. the money was well spent though. I’m still enjoying our purchases today!

Have you ever taken the Theo Chocolate tour? Have you ever tried their chocolate? What did you think? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or connect with us on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . Don’t forget to also check out  Seattle Bloggers  for more on great things to do in the city!

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Tove Tupper & Tim Lewis

Chocoholic? Tour the Theo Chocolate Factory

Indulge your chocoholic self on the theo chocolate factory tour ….

As a fully fledged, and certified chocoholic, there could be no better tourist activity for me than a chocolate factory tour.  Well actually, only because it did say you’d be consuming lots of chocolate!  I mean, if we’re going to be honest – that is why you do a chocolate factory tour right?!  Chocolate samples! 

15 minutes before our tour started, we were ushered into a waiting room, where we paid up and got ticked off the reservation list.   There’s a beautiful backdrop here for a photo, and the receptionist is well versed in taking photos for you.   I thought it’d be a good idea to do one when I looked clean – I mean, surely later I’d have chocolate dripping from somewhere on me! (What was I thinking wearing a white t-shirt??)

On the dot of your tour time, you’re taken from the reception room, into your first room – I’m going to call this the education room.  Here, for 20 minutes or so, you’ll hear and learn a little about the history of Theo chocolate, which includes a base lesson on Theobroma Cacao – the chocolate tree. Where in the world it’s grown, what a tree looks like, how the fruit forms and grows, and then how the beans are cultivated from it.   This history shares also Theo’s part in the two regions they purchase their cacao beans from, and how they’re impacting the local communities through their fair trade practices.  Huge kudos to Theo for this.  When you purchase a Theo bar, you can feel good about it, knowing you’re making a positive impact in a small rural African (or Peruvian) community.

During this presentation, you’ll also get your first taste! 

The factory itself

From here you’ll move to your second room – which offers you a 180 degree view of the factory.  This is also an educational room.  Along with more tastings, you’ll learn here about how Theo turns their bags of beans into your chocolate bar.  Whilst the information is interesting, and the tastings are great, the factory itself lacks a little oomph.  And not just Oompa Loompa oomph (yes, sadly not a single sighting or sound, sniff sniff).

Now that you’re over that disappointment, there’s also no rivers of running chocolate, or in fact, anything much to see other than machines.   I know they have chocolatiers handcrafting chocolates (as I saw it on their video), but we don’t get to see these.  Personally, I want to see more than machines in action, I wanted to see chocolate in action.  This for me was a miss for the tour.    The info was great, the tastings were great, but the factory section itself, was a little a dull.

The factory shop

After the factory we move to finish, as only every good tour does, in the shop.  Here we’re given another couple of samples to try, and as tour participants, a 20% discount card to use today.     This could come in handy!

BUT …. What I didn’t realise about the Theo Factory Shop before I went, is that it has samples throughout it.  Next to all of their bars, are samples you can help yourself to.  This is great, because it’s always so much nicer to be able to try each flavour, before you commit to buying a bar of it.  Most of Theo’s chocolate are dark chocolate based, so for a milk lover like myself (you know I have the sweetest of teeth!), there wasn’t so much to choose from.

One of the chocolates we did sample on the tour was the lemon.  This is one of Theo’s seasonal bars, and from my cart and those of my fellow tourists, it was a clear favourite. 

In fact, one of the reasons why you may want to visit the Theo Factory Shop, is that along with the free samples, there are also exclusive chocolates here.    So if you want to be a chocolate snob, pop in and pick up some exclusivity.

Theo also runs a range of other events and classes.   I was very intrigued by the Chocolate Yoga class – apparently you receive a tasting after every move.  That sounds like the most fun way to exercise I’ve ever heard of.

For a full range of the other options available, click here .

Would I recommend it?  

If you’re into educating yourself, then absolutely.  I enjoyed learning how chocolate is grown, cultivated, and processed.  

BUT if you’re short on time, and were really only going to book the tour because of the samples, just go visit the factory shop.  Here you’ll get to try many of the bar flavours before you purchase, alongside some Theo specials not available anywhere else. 

• their full bean to bar practices. Maybe you pay a little more for their bars, but you do so because the farmer is being paid a fair price, and the product is organic. Theo also contribute to the community where their chocolate is grown. This is the way business should be done.
• the education segment of the tour – learning how chocolate is grown, cultivated and produced was really interesting . Now I understand more when reading the labels on the back of my chocolate bars
• Theo are very generous with samples. You get a good range of samples on the tour – I did a 12pm tour – chocolate for lunch!
• the factory shop samples – help yourself and sample most of their chocolate bars before you purchase – LOVE this
• exclusive chocolates available only at their factory shop
• great prices in their shop – their standard bars were almost $1 less than in the shops
• they do have a full range of other events – who doesn’t love the sound of that chocolate yoga??!!

Theo misses;

• you don’t get to really see any chocolate in the factory – I’d like to see the chocolatiers at work, alongside some melted chocolate somewhere to really make me drool
• it’d be great to include a tasting of their hot chocolate (they sell a powder in the shop, I’d love to taste this). Bizarrely they have coffee to help yourself to in the shop – they’re missing an opportunity here.
• I came out without a spec on my white t-shirt …

For the nitty gritty on the Theo Chocolate Factory tour, read on.

Getting there

The Theo Chocolate Factory tour is in a beautiful historic 1900’s building in Fremont.  If you have a car, it’s a cinch getting there with google maps, and there’s free 2 hour parking outside the building. 

Tours run daily, with the first at 10:30, the last starts at 3:45.  The tour takes 1 hour, and costs $12 plus tax.  It is advisable to book ahead, as many of the tours sell out. Click HERE for more info and to book.

(If you’re a Seattle local (or very organised), you could get your tour for free. The third Thursday of each month, Theo offer a free tour at 4:30pm. Bookings open 2 months out).

The Factory Shop

The factory shop is at 3400 Phinney Ave. N., Freemont, Seattle. It’s open daily from 10am – 6pm.

So what do you think? Are you keen to become a fully certified chocoholic? Are you already a Theo chocolate lover? What’s your favourite flavour? And will you take the tour?

(And Theo, if you’re reading this, I’m totally open to chocolate bribes – just message me for my address!!)

Now – because I know you like chocolate just as much as I do – I think you’ll also love the Seattle Chocolate factory tour.

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From bean to bar to belly – gotta love a good chocolate factory tour!

That should be their new tag line!! Love it!

Maybe I would actually like doing yoga if I got rewarded for each position with a chocolate! LOL

Lol, I hear you!

what a great way to upskill ;} this tour sounds like fun!

I had no idea this factory was in Seattle – how cool! I love chocolate factory tours, although I don’t eat dairy so I usually present a fun challenge for most tour guides. It sounds like Theo’s would have plenty for me though! I’m usually short on time, though, so just going straight to the store for exclusive chocolates is enticing.

Oh my gosh, I love chocolate. Sign us up! Haha 🙂 Cool post idea. Will save this for later.

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Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

Sunday, May 22

THIS EVENT IS FULL.

Join Jconnect on a private group tour of a local Seattle chocolate factory. Founded in January 2005, Theo makes award-winning organic and fair-trade chocolate locally in their Fremont factory. During this hour-long interactive experience, you’ll discover the origins of cacao, see how Theo crafts their chocolate from scratch in Seattle, and learn about the close partnerships Theo has cultivated with the farmers they source from. Plus, you’ll get an inside view of the factory to see where the magic happens. And what chocolate experience would be complete without tasting? During your visit, you’ll indulge in a wide range of treats, from nationwide bestsellers to hand-crafted confections.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time of the tour (i.e. at 3:20 PM). Proof of COVID-19 vaccine is required by Theo to enter the facility, with matching photo ID.

Limit 20 participants. Please RSVP below. Each participant must RSVP separately. Event is full.

Building Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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How to Take the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour in Seattle, Washington

Every time I walked around Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, I knew I could smell chocolate in the air. Before I’d convinced myself I was making it up, I realized that Fremont is home to the Theo Chocolate factory.

After living in Seattle for a few months I was familiar with Theo. You can find their chocolate in grocery stores and local bakeries.

My  favorite  Seattle cookie (the Mackles’more) even has a piece of Theo Chocolate on top. By the way- that cookie is sold at Hello Robin.  And you should absolutely stop by there when you are in town! If you are interested in even more Seattle desserts, check out this post.

Once I learned that Theo offered chocolate factory tours I knew I had to take one. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect (cue images of Willy Wonka) but I love chocolate, so I figured I would LOVE the tour. And I was right.

Anyone visiting the Emerald City should add this to their itinerary. The tour costs $12 per person and lasts just over an hour. Theo is located in the heart of Fremont , so you could easily combine this with a visit to the Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park, or one of the many dining options along 36th Street (like this taco place or this ramen place ).

The Theo Chocolate factory tour can be booked online or in person. I suggest booking ahead of time because the tours frequently sell out. Groups of 6 or more must pay in advance, but otherwise, you can sign up online and pay once you arrive for your tour.

Tours are only available for those 6 years and older. But, younger guests are welcome to attend the weekly Kid’s Chocolate Story Time Tour. This tour costs $8 per person and can also be booked online . This 45-min tour includes a kid-friendly tour, storytime, and of course- chocolate samples.

What to Expect

I booked a 10:30 am Saturday tour and arrived a few minutes early. There was plenty of free 2-hour parking on the surrounding streets. The tour guide greeted our group in the factory’s lobby. We then found seats in an appropriately decorated room. Think cocoa leaves, images of Theo Chocolate employees, and signs about the chocolate-making process.

During the first half of the tour, we listened to the tour guide discussed the Theo chocolate-making process. Theo is a “bean to bar” company. So, they receive cocoa beans and turn them into chocolate bars.

Many other companies start with imported chocolate liquor (no- this is not alcoholic) instead of the beans. After a multi-step process, cocoa beans form a pure cocoa product called chocolate liquor. To create a chocolate bar, you mix this liquor with sugar, vanilla, and flavorings.

This is a very important factor that helps Theo Chocolate stand out. They were also the first certified organic and Fair Trade chocolate maker in North America. Theo respects the environment and the people who make this process possible, while also committing to producing a high-quality product.

And the best part? We got multiple Theo Chocolate samples. We started with my favorite, 85% dark chocolate. But we also sampled coconut, cherry, milk, and root beer chocolate bars.

After answering all of our questions the tour guide led us to the observation room. Here we could actually see the machines that produce the delicious chocolate. We saw the bean room where cocoa beans are stored in burlap bags. The guide walked us through the process of making chocolate and explained the importance of each machine. Until the tour, I didn’t realize that cocoa beans were roasted. But now I know this helps develop the flavor. Pretty neat!

In this room, we got a few more samples, including cocoa nibs and toffee. In addition to the factory, Theo houses a confectionary and the chocolatiers make many different delicious treats. Once the tour was over we went to the chocolate shop for a sample of the Theo caramels.

Since we participated in the tour we got 20% off our purchase while in the store. There were many different chocolate products for sale. Also, this is the only place where you can purchase the caramels, ganaches, and other little chocolate confections. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the discount, so I bought a Salted Vanilla Caramel, a Burnt Sugar Ganache, and a Big Daddy.

I think this would be a great addition to a Seattle trip. The tour is affordable and didn’t take up too much time. It was a unique experience and I found it fascinating to tour a local factory that sells their chocolate in grocery stores all around the country.

Keep in mind that production does not generally occur on the weekends, so if you stop by on a Saturday or Sunday the factory floor might be empty. However, I toured on a Saturday and this did not change how much I enjoyed the tour. They were even running the roaster that Saturday which was an added bonus!

Plus, you get to try a ton of chocolate samples on this tour. Even my husband, who doesn’t really like chocolate, had a great time on the tour. Just make sure you book the tour in advance to secure your spot!

Have you toured a chocolate factory? What was your favorite part (besides the samples of course!)

Looking for more? Check out my other Washington State posts:

The Best Day Trips from Seattle, Washington

Where to go for a Run in Seattle, Washington

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Freemont

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Best little factory tour ever ! - Theo Chocolate

• United States    
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Best little factory tour ever !

Close to Freemont. The Theo factory tour is one of the best, most personalized factory tours we've ever taken. Children of 5 and 6 were delighted on our tour as were their parents and the seniors who were there. The hour or so of talking and watching the factory operate is centered around you eating some sort of chocolate pretty much constantly throughout the tour. The entire tour is "illustrated" by you sampling: the manufactured product in its several different versions of intensity, skinning and eating your own fresh roasted bean, tasting the "nibs", the pure liquor, the sweetened liquor, and finished confections. These folks are on a dual mission to (1) promote the fairest of trade throughout the chain of production from tree to table, and (2) create the richest, creamiest chocolate you have ever tasted. Wonderful company. Wonderful tour.

Our tour driver was a bit ahead schedule in Fremont,,,,so after a visit to the troll, we stopped at Theos. Delicious. They specialize in organic dark chocolate and it was marvelous. The milk chocolate was excellent too. This was a fun stop.

We have toured several chocolate factories. This is probably my least favorite tour but it was still good. Katherine, the tour guide, was adorable and enthusiastic and gracious. The tour is a tad dry by set up so bring something fit your little person to do if you bring a child 6-10. They might get a little bored in the first 30 minutes. Adults will like it. They have a fun room where they do the first 30 minutes and then you get to step into a space where you can see the chocolate being made and you eat more chocolate and learn more about the process. You don’t walk through the factory like you do at Dandelion in San Francisco However you do learn a ton about the process from fruit on the tree to chocolate bar in the store. We love touring chocolate factories when we travel. Random but true. We had a fun visit. Try the Hotchata chocolate if you like Horchata. Our your guide was great.

Theo Chocolate is a great place to visit in Fremont. You don't have to take the tour in order to visit. They have an excellent tasting room where you can sample many of the chocolates that they sell.

First off lets get one thing straight. This is not a tour. First part of the "tour" is you sitting in an enclosed room with the guide talking about the different kinds of cocoa, chocolate from 85% dark chocolate (pure) to 50% (sugar added). You get to sample the variations. Next they take you to the next room that has windows. If you're lucky and its a work day you'll see people working on the factory floor. Luckily we went on a work day so all the machines were running and the people were working but all you did was stare at the machines and people from the window. I wouldnt call this a tour at all, but its worth a visit if you're in the area. At the end of the tour you get a coupon to use at their Theo store next to the factory to buy chocolates.

The tour gives you a great insight to chocolate production process, as well as 20 percent off what you buy. It is a great place to spend time, learn, buy gifts.

Five chocolate factories near Seattle that you can actually visit and one place that’s not a chocolate factory that you should visit too

• November 11, 2019
• Comments Off on Five chocolate factories near Seattle that you can actually visit and one place that’s not a chocolate factory that you should visit too

I recently visited the factory of one of my favorite chocolate shops in my hometown. The chocolate factory was pinned on my google maps forever so when I finally arrived and smelled the chocolatey aroma outside its glorious doors I almost had to pinch myself. And I really should have pinched myself because the minute I peeked inside, this place looked like every other retail shop I’ve been to from this chocolate brand. My heart broke a little. But the Seattleite in me didn’t lose hope as I asked an employee rearranging chocolate on the shelves. “Is the actual factory not open to the public today?”

Oh no, she said as she continued to arrange. It’s a working factory. You can’t visit a working factory-there’s not enough room. I persisted. “So does this location have any special chocolates, like only at this special factory location chocolates?”

Her words came in a devastating jumble of something that sounded like weallhavethesamechocolateswhywouldyouwantdifferentchocolates. So I didn’t even ask what they were sampling today. I already knew the answer.

We Seattleites are totally spoiled with the plethora of chocolate options in our area. These are working chocolate factories with samples and even chocolate retail stores that sample every time you walk in the store. As a young Canadian child shopping at Bellis Fair Mall late at night, I knew that when we walked into the doors of Sees , I was almost 100% guaranteed a delicious chocolate treat.

So if you are in the Seattle area, here are some chocolate shops you should visit and many of them are working factories and also places that give out samples:

Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont

(PS. as of June 23rd we have news that the Theo Chocolate Factory will be merging with another company and summer 2023 will be the last for chocolate tours at the factory)

When the Theo chocolate factory first opened up in Fremont, I went on a tour with my friends and it was led by a tour guide and maybe the owner’s son who is likely now a grownup too. We were told to take and eat as much chocolate as we wanted and I felt like I was in Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It was the first time I heard about “bean to bar” and I realized that having the chocolate factory within a walkable distance to my house was a dangerous thing.

The tour is no longer “all you can eat and put in your pockets” but the samples are still plentiful and the chocolates are delicious. There are “only at the factory” treats ( I went back the other day to pick up some only at the factory treats for a friend to be sure) and although you can get Theo chocolates everywhere in Seattle and in many places beyond, I still love visiting the factory and buying chocolates there. The Big Daddy is probably one of my family’s favorite chocolates ever. The Theo Chocolate Factory also has reasonably-priced tours, kids’ tours and chocolate classes and if you plan ahead enough you might be lucky and schedule a free Thursday tour that they offer once every month (but be warned- it books out months ahead.)

Fran’s Chocolates

A gray salt caramel chocolate from Fran’s chocolates is also one of the best things you can eat in Seattle. The factory for this chocolate shop is in Georgetown and they have a big viewing window. The brick building this factory is in is also really cool.

We usually end up at the shop in UVillage or in the Four Seasons near the market, and I don’t ever think I’ve been in either store without being offered a sea salt caramel. I also didn’t realize that there is now a Fran’s in Nagoya Japan. I recently met Fran at a Whole Foods event and I was totally starstruck. I first started buying Fran’s chocolates when I moved to Seattle because my mom’s name is Fran too.

Seattle Chocolates

The chocolate from Seattle chocolates is something I always look forward to in the cheese plate when we fly on Alaska Air. I also love the designs (and flavors) of a bunch of the Seattle chocolate truffle bars we can get in local grocery stores. I visited the Seattle Chocolate Factory recently on a media trip with Seattle Southside and it was such a great tour. We started in a classroom to learn about bean to bar, then ended up in the working factory where we tasted some yummy chocolates and watched as they were made. I especially liked the part of the tour where we had to guess the flavors in chocolates and talk about what we liked-I think this would be such a great thing to do at a party too.

I love how the JCOCO line of Seattle Chocolates helps people in need of food with each purchase of a chocolate bar. It’s nice to know that we can do a small bit with our purchases and I value this kind of giving back by businesses more and more. The Seattle Chocolate factory has special shopping days as well as themed factory tours-the one at Halloween is rumored to be really fun. If my kids were younger I’d probably check out their Saturday Story Time too.

Intrigue Chocolate Company

I probably would not have visited Intrigue Chocolate Company i f I hadn’t been invited to visit Pioneer Square with the Alliance for Pioneer Square. We drive through Pioneer Square often or walk through on the way to concerts and games but I was there for a visit just this January 2023 and was early for a tour and noticed Intrigue Chocolates. One of the founder and owners for the shop, Aaron was there the day I visited and told me a little about the history-this shop started with truffles and I need to go back and try these one day. My husband bought one of the chocolate bars there and it was really delicious. Aaron gave us a little card that showed us how to taste chocolate and it was fun to try this when we ate our chocolate bar too.

Joe Chocolate Company (not in the market as of 2023)

Joe Chocolate Company used to be in Pike Place Market is one of the newer Seattle chocolate factories and it has a fabulous location right next to Beecher’s Cheese (Beecher’s Cheese in Pike Place Market also has a window where you can watch cheese being made and it is absolutely mesmerizing.). I think these chocolates are pretty delicious but I didn’t realize this chocolate is famous for having coffee added to it. This makes sense now though with a name like “Joe”.

Over the summer the guys and I stopped in the shop and bought one of their handmade dipped ice cream cookie sandwiches. We devoured it in minutes. I didn’t realize the chocolate might have had coffee in it until I was writing this up. (I guess my guys really are Seattle kids.)

Indi Chocolate in Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has not just one but two working chocolate factories. Indi Chocolate is in the new market area overlooking where the Alaskan Way Viaduct used to be. Indi chocolate also hosts events for things like chocolate roasting, bean to bar chocolate making and chocolate classes for kids. We visited one day on the way to pick up our Pike Box from the market and the kids we picked up some chocolates and the kids were happy to receive a sample.

And a candy factory that is not a chocolate factory and a bit of a drive from Seattle but worth it anyways…..

it’s Applets and Cotlets in Cashmere. This is not a chocolate factory but I added this candy factory to the list because if you’ve read this far, it’s probably the type of place you would appreciate. We stopped at Applets and Cotlets on our way to Wenatchee this summer but we were too late to see the working factory-apparently it’s best to arrive before 3pm. We still were able to tour where the machines worked and left with our bellies full of samples. Applets and Cotlets are sold in so many Pacific Northwest stores and they all come from a little factory near Wenatchee Washington.

PS, there is a Chocolate Factory you can visit in Vancouver BC.

So even though I was disappointed at the chocolate factory I visited up north, if you’re in Vancouver Canada and you want to visit a working chocolate factory, you’re not totally out of luck. Wild Sweets in Richmond is a really innovative chocolate factory and we’ve visited a few times. The owners and chocolatiers are delightful and they always have a new chocolate creation up their sleeve. They have a “ meet the makers” chocolate experience that I tried on a media trip to Richmond BC and it’s a great chocolate tasting experience if you are a chocolate fan. I’ve bought their cakes at Christmas time and they are quite delicious too. Check the opening times before you visit because they might only be open on certain days of the week or by appointment.

Do you love chocolate as much as I do? And if you have a favorite chocolate factory in the Pacific Northwest, I’d love to hear about it too!

Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys.  She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live.  She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)

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Theo Offers Cool Treats – And the Return of Factory Tours

• by Kirby Lindsay Laney
• August 4, 2021 August 19, 2021

On these warm summer days, Fremont’s chocolate factory has cool treats to share.  At Theo Chocolate , they have refreshing frozen recipes, to enjoy on the hottest days (or any time,) using Theo’s amazing organic chocolate.

On the TheoChocolate.com site, find a recipe for Milk Chocolate Minty Popsicles using two Theo 45% Milk Chocolate bars.  This recipe is easy, and can be made with junior cooks – click here for more information .  Enjoy some Chilled Drinking Chocolate with the Theo Drinking Chocolate – click here for directions .  The Coco-Nutty ‘Nice’ Cream is a vegan-alternative that skips the dairy but not the deliciousness, crafted by Casey from The Mindful Hapa using peanut butter, chocolate, coconut and bananas – find the recipe here .  Theo Chocolate has even more recipes available for those looking to experiment with the high-quality products from Fremont’s chocolate factory (click here .)

Best of all, starting August 10 th , everyone will be able to pick up their Theo Chocolate at the factory – after taking one of the educational (and delicious) tours of the organic, fair trade manufacturing center.  Learn, and taste, your way from cocoa farm to chocolate bar in this interactive experience.  Daily, for $12 per person, this one-hour tour will teach everyone something they didn’t know about the process of crafting chocolate.  Reservations are recommended – click here to find out more .

For those not interested in stepping inside the factory – or unable to do so – Theo will continue to offer its Virtual Classes , accompanied by a chocolate supply kit.  The box of deliciousness will be shipped your way, for your enjoyment while following along on a Zoom class, delivered live by a Theo Chocolate expert.  Click here for more information .

Theo Chocolate makes, from scratch, award-winning treats, in Fremont.  Learn more about the Factory, and shop the store, on TheoChocolate.com

© 2024 Kirby Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.

www.fremocentrist.com

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Chocolate Tour at Theo

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There is a wonderful Chocolate Factory in the Fremont called Theo . It is a hyper local / eco / human rights friendly place that also just so happens to sell the best tasting chocolate i’ve ever had. We took a tour of their factory and took as many free samples as we could. We’ll be back for the holidays to pick up some tasty stocking stuffers.

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Seattle Spoken Wheel

Theo’s Chocolate Factory Tour

3400 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98103 206.632.5100 https://www.theochocolate.com

In 2006, Theo Chocolate became the first 100% organic and fair trade—from bean to bar—chocolate factory in North America, and this little brick palace of deliciousness and moral goodness is right here in Seattle.  A tour of the factory only costs $10, and from start to finish, it is a crowd-pleaser for anyone between the ages of 5 and 105.  You will want to get there early to spend some time in the Theo’s shop, sampling all the bars, oogling the beautiful confections, and checking out specialty items before you move to the entrance for the tour.  You can honestly have a full meal of chocolate there among the samples.

Before the tour begins, you will be asked to don hair nets, beard nets, and—if you are wearing open-toed shoes—foot nets.

Once you’ve entered the tour room, you’ll learn the “bean to bar” story from one of Theo’s amazing tour guides.  I’ve taken this tour three times, and every time, the guide has been funny, charming, knowledgeable, and kind.  Beans are passed around; nibs are shared; more chocolate is imbibed.  Think of this seated part of the tour as dessert after the lunch you just ate in the shop.

The tour moves from this seated area to the small factory, where machines that look as though they came straight out of Willy Wonka are making their magic right before your eyes.  At the end of the tour, as others move up the stairs and into the shop, you will take a door to the sidewalk that takes you back to the shop.  And you will want to go back to that shop to purchase everything you have just tasted.

Although the tour is both a joy and accessible, there are a few challenges in it that you’ll need to be prepared for if you have mobility concerns. 

Parking:   This is the first little challenge.  Parking is street parking, and there are no reserved handicapped spaces.  In order to make it possible for me to get into the factory easily and on time, we parked in a “no parking here to corner” spot, hung our handicapped tag from the mirror, and hoped for the best.  In spite of hope, we were asked to contribute to City of Seattle coffers that day.  This problem can probably be avoided if you get there before the others in your tour get there.  That wouldn’t be bad thing, either, because you can spend that extra time in the shop wandering among the samples.

Entrances:  The entrances to the shop and the factory tour are separate.  Both are step-free and easy to get through, particularly if you are there with friends who will hold the door open for you.

Seating and aisles:  The aisles in the retail shop are wide, making it possible to see (and taste) nearly everything from your chair.  The seating during the first part of the tour consists of a few rows of benches separated by a narrow aisle.  Wheelchair travelers can sit behind the last row of benches, but tours groups are small so you can see everything very well.  Also, Theo’s has a few folding chairs in the room, so pushers and other friends can sit next to you.  There’s also an advantage to being back there.  You will be seated where the sample-passing ends, making it possible to sneak a few extras without detection.

In the factory part of the tour, the walkways and aisles are excellent—wide, flat,  and easily navigated.

Restrooms:   Restrooms are a problem.  They are located in a short corridor just outside the shop.  Stalls are narrow; there are no grab bars around the toilet; and the toilet is low to the floor.  I had to take my pusher in with me—clearing the room of others—to use it.  We were warned, though.  When we called to make our reservation, we explained that one of our party would be in a wheelchair.  The person who scheduled us said that there were no stairs to worry about, but the bathrooms did not have grab bars.

Interestingly, as we entered the factory after the seated part of the tour, we passed a bathroom door with a wheelchair logo on it.  Could people on the tour use it or was it just for employees?  If you are in the shop and you need to use a restroom, I suggest that you ask if you can use that one.  If you use it during the tour, however, everyone else on the tour will be waiting just outside the door for you to finish in there so the group can move on.  That probably won’t feel very good!

Photos of interior space online:  Yes, many on Google images.  The Theo Chocolate website also includes photos.

Photos of entrances online:   Yes, on Google images

Reservations taken:  Reservations are required.  Tell them you’re coming in a wheelchair, and ask about the handicapped bathroom.  When you call to reserve your spot, tell them Spoken Wheel recommended them!

What the wheelchair pusher has to say:  Parking is challenging because it’s Fremont, where there’s no parking anywhere!  The tour is flat and easy to navigate.  The bathroom required a helper, so be sure to take someone along  whom you are really friendly with!  The ADA bathroom appeared not to be available unless you were on the tour.  Everyone was really nice and accommodating.   Another plus was that the retail shop had huge aisles–lots of room.

Photo credits:                                                                                                                 Image of Theo’s entrance – treatsandtrends.wordpress.com            Image of Theo’s chocolate – www.theochocolate.com

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Reviewing ADA wheelchair experiences in Seattle

The Theo Chocolate Factory Tour, Seattle, Washington

I have a confession. It’s kind of a doozy. Are you ready? Here goes …

I don’t love chocolate.

Hey, where are you going? Hello… ? Wait … what is that ?

Is that a straight jacket ? OH DEAR GOD WHY DO YOU HAVE A STRAIGHT-JACKET?

No, no – don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. The point is, I’m not wearing that thing. I haven’t gone completely bonkers, okay? Plenty of people don’t like chocolate. Courtney Love recently went on a rant about how she can’t touch the stuff .

Okay, fine. I realize that example doesn’t really work in my favor.

It’s not that I hate the stuff. I appreciate a good s’mores, and I can make a chocolate cake that will literally make your head spin (provided you eat it while swirling around in the spin cycle of my washing machine). But I’m not obsessed with chocolate. Truth be told, it gives me a headache, eating it makes me weirdly hungry for EVERYTHING IN MY FRIDGE, and frankly, I prefer vanilla.

There . I said it.

What? No, NO I DO NOT THINK THAT LAST STATEMENT MAKES ME A RACIST.

And yet, despite all of my reservations against chocolate, I enjoyed the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour . While my friend Katie was visiting Seattle from California , we decided to check it out. Though I had had Theo chocolate before, I’d never been to their plant (which is located in the quirky little hood of Fremont), so I braced myself for awesomeness of Willy Wonka -esque proportions.

In that respect, I was pretty bitterly disappointed. There are no Oompa-Loompas. I repeat: there are no Oompa-Loompas (there is a petite woman manning the front counter, but she is not orange and refused to sing, despite several requests).

But we did get to wear hair nets, so there’s that.

Our tour guide was a cheerful woman who was incredibly sweet, upbeat, and competent. She explained that most chocolatiers in the U.S. aren’t chocolate makers – they are merely chocolate melters . Melters purchase their chocolate already made and then melt it, adding in flavorings and ingredients.

Theo however, is a chocolate maker – meaning they handle every step of the creation of their chocolate from bean to bar.

Step 1: Beans. Step 2: ???? Step 3: Profit.

And yes, they let you sample everything. It was quite lovely right up until it gave me a raging headache.

The tour took us right on to the factory floor where we encountered giant tubs of cocoa beans:

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Dip. Hands. Into. This.

And where this cheerful fellow was scraping melted chocolate out of a machine:

We gained all sorts of knowledge that’s useful to have during chocolate-themed trivia nights (of which there are none). Like how white chocolate isn’t really chocolate (which, not to brag, but I already knew). And that chocolate is actually a fermented food. That’s right: the beans used to make chocolate are left to ferment for about a week (don’t dwell on the thought).

We even found out why some chocolate “blooms” (you know, those weird white smudges on the surface of the chocolate) – if it is heated improperly, or stored in conditions that are too warm or too humid, the cocoa butter separates out, and leaves white traces on the surface of the chocolate.

Fear not: if this happens, it is still safe to eat. I repeat, you can still eat your bloomin’ chocolate.

The tour walked us through the entire chocolate-making process. Here’s the abbreviated version:

• Cocoa beans arrive from the growers, already fermented. A machine called “the destoner” (heh) cleans the exterior, and the beans are then roasted. – 

Katie shows off her nibs.

• The paste is further smoothed by going through a mill, and then goes into a mixer where sugar and/or milk powder are added. –
• A machine called the refiner reduces the particle size of the sugar, so the chocolate won’t be gritty. It is then oxidized in another machine, making it less acidic. –
• Next, it goes into a huge canister known as the Holding Tank, which is where I think Augustus Gloop finally ended up. –
• A tempering machine heats the chocolate to just the right temperature, forming a bond between cocao butter and cocoa solids as impenetrable as that between Starsky and Hutch . –
• Inclusions – like bits of cookie or fruit, are added at this point (and no, the folks working there are NOT open to suggestions, like “steak” or “Fritos.” Spoilsports.). The chocolate is sent to a machine which will pour it into molds, which are sent through cooling tunnels. –
• BOOM. The chocolate bars are done, and can be wrapped and shipped off. Any chocolate that is visually flawed, but otherwise perfect, will be used as samples in the factory tour.

The finished product, some of which, rather inexplicably, are covered with vampires despite it being the middle of spring.

The tour took us about 45 minutes, and includes a discount for any of the handmade confections on sale in the store. Plus, you get to try nearly every single chocolate bar that Theo makes. It’s perfect for a chocolate lover.

And for a gal who’s merely a chocolate liker ? Well, I got a kick out of it, too. And lots of free samples. And a headache. But let’s not dwell on that last part.

—————

The Essentials on the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour :

• Verdict: Yes. It’s not a must-see, but if you’ve already hit up Seattle’s touristy hot-spots, this place is worth a stop (especially if you love chocolate). – 
• How to Get There: Personally, I drive (there’s free parking right adjacent to the factory), but you can also take the bus ( the 28 will get you to Fremont , and you can walk through the little downtown area to the factory.) – 
• Ideal for: Rainy days (the tour is entirely indoors); foodies; chocoholics – 
• Insider tips: Call ahead to book your tour, as they often fill up WEEKS in advance. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, and be warned: it can get a little warm on the factory floor. Also, leave yourself some time to tour Fremont, because it’s a great part of town. – 
• Nearby food: One of my favorite restaurants – Revel – is right next door to Theo (but note that they are closed from 2pm to 5pm and get quite crowded). Fremont also has a bunch of decent Thai places , and a stellar cake shop . –
• Good for kids? Very little ones will have a hard time with the tour. You’re not allowed to touch anything, and the path you must follow is clearly marked. There’s no running around, so if you are under the age of 10, this place will just be an hour or so of boredom, punctuated by too-bitter-for-your-infant-tongue chocolate samples.

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Seattle, Washington : Theo Chocolate Factory Tour (Closed)

Take a tour of a 21st-century-hip chocolate factory, complete with trendy flavors, environmental stewardship, and non-exploitative labor. But it still smells like chocolate. Tours closed as of 2023.

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Visitor Tips and News About Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

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The factory tour was closed as of 2023.

Theo Chocolate Factory is well worth the $10 entrance fee. You spend about 10 minutes learning about the theobroma tree, conditions in which it can grow and many other interesting facts about chocolate. The best part...many taste testers! Pretty much every type of chocolate they make, and products you can only purchase in the factory. I would go back! Kids 10 years and 8 enjoyed and learned too! Bonus: full size chocolate bar when you finish tour! ($5 value)

Take a tour to see how cocoa beans become chocolate bars, or just visit the company store for some delicious free chocolate samples in really unusual flavors, like coconut curry or ghost chili pepper.

A far cry from the Hershey's Factory Tour , this chocolate factory is organic and fragrance-free.

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Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

Often when I walk around Fremont I can smell a hint of chocolate in the air. I soon realized that Fremont is home to the Theo Chocolate factory. After living in Seattle for a few months I have become accustomed to hearing the name Theo. This chocolate is sold in many grocery stores and is often used in many local bakeries. My favorite cookie in Seattle, the Macklesmore, is even topped with a piece of Theo Chocolate (by the way- that cookie is sold at Hello Robin and you should absolutely stop by there when you are in town!).

Once I learned that Theo offered chocolate factory tours I knew I had to take one. I wasn't quite sure what to expect (cue images of Willy Wonka) but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this tour. I think this is a very underrated Seattle attraction and I would highly recommend that Seattle tourists add this to their itinerary. The tour costs $10 per person and lasts just over an hour. Theo is located in the heart of Fremont, so you could easily combine this with a visit to the Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park, or one of the many dining options along 36th Street (like this taco place or this ramen place ).

Theo Chocolate factory tours can be booked online or in person. I suggest booking ahead of time because the tours do frequently sell out. Groups of 6 or more must pay in advance, but otherwise you can sign up online and pay once you arrive for your tour. Additionally, tours are only available for those 6 years and older. Younger guests are welcome to attend the weekly Kid's Chocolate Story Time Tour. This tour costs $8 per person and can also be booked online . This 45-min tour includes a kid-friendly tour, story time, and of course- chocolate samples.

I booked the 10:30am Saturday tour and arrived a few minutes early. There was plenty of free 2-hour parking on the surrounding streets. Our tour guide greeted the group in the factory's lobby and we were brought into a room filled with benches and unique decorations. The ceiling was covered in green paper that resembled tree leaves. A cocoa tree was in the front corner of the room. The walls were lined with images of Theo Chocolate employees and information about the chocolate making process.

During the first half of the tour we stayed in this room while the tour guide discussed the process that Theo uses to make their chocolate. This was a really informative discussion and I learned quite a bit. Theo is a "bean to bar" company, meaning they receive cocoa beans and they turn these into their chocolate bars. Many other companies start with imported chocolate liquor (no- this is not alcoholic) instead of the beans. Chocolate liquor is a pure cocoa product that is formed after cocoa beans have been through a multi-step process. This is then mixed with sugar, vanilla, and flavoring products to create the chocolate bar. This is a very important factor that helps Theo Chocolate stand out. They were also the first certified organic and Fair Trade chocolate maker in North America. It was very obvious that Theo is committed to producing a high quality product while respecting the environment and people who make this possible.

In addition to learning about the chocolate making process, we were given multiple samples of Theo's delicious chocolate. We started with an 85% dark chocolate, which was my favorite. We also sampled coconut, cherry, milk, and root beer chocolate bars.

After answering all of our questions the tour guide led us to the observation room. Here we could actually see the machines that produce the delicious chocolate. We saw the bean room where burlap bags of cocoa beans were stored. The guide walked us through the process of making chocolate and pointed out the importance of each machine. I was surprised to see a roaster that operated in a similar way to the Starbucks roaster I observed at the Roastery. Until the tour I didn't realize that cocoa beans needed to be roasted, but I learned that this helps develop the flavor.

In this room we were given a few more samples, including cocoa nibs and toffee. In addition to the factory, Theo houses a confectionary and the chocolatiers make many different delicious treats. Once the tour was over we walked to the chocolate shop for a sample of the Theo caramels. Since we participated in the tour we were given 20% off our purchase while in the store. There were many different chocolate products for sale. Also, this is the only place where you can purchase the caramels, ganaches, and other little chocolate confections. Of course I couldn't pass up the discount, so I bought a Salted Vanilla Caramel, a Burnt Sugar Ganache, and a Big Daddy.

I think this would be a great addition to a Seattle trip. The tour is affordable and didn't take up too much time. It was a unique experience and I found it fascinating to tour a local factory that sells their chocolate in grocery stores all around the country. Keep in mind that production does not generally occur on the weekends, so if you stop by on a Saturday or Sunday the factory floor might be empty. However, I toured on a Saturday and this did not change how much I enjoyed the tour. They were even running the roaster that Saturday which was an added bonus! Plus, you get to try a ton of chocolate samples on this tour and learn about how they were made. Even my husband, who doesn't really like chocolate, had a great time on the tour. Just make sure you book the tour in advance to secure your spot!

Have you tour a chocolate factory? What was your favorite part (besides the samples of course!)

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Theo Chocolate

3400 Phinney Ave N

Seattle, WA 98103

#Washington

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