Last updated 1 day ago | Originally Published: January 7, 2025
Luxury chocolate in the United States tells a story of passion, creativity, and craftsmanship. Brands like Taza, Theo, and Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker offer a glimpse into a thriving world of indulgence, where tradition meets innovation. From beloved classics to trend-setting newcomers, the country’s luxury chocolate scene is as diverse as it is delicious. This list highlights the top luxury chocolate brands founded in the US, celebrating the artisans behind them and the extraordinary confections they create!
1. Taza Chocolate
Founded in 2005 by Alex Whitmore in Somerville, Massachusetts, Taza Chocolate is celebrated for its stone-ground, organic chocolate inspired by traditional Mexican techniques. After experiencing stone-ground chocolate in Oaxaca, Mexico, Whitmore apprenticed under a molinero to master the art of hand-carving granite millstones, which is integral to Taza’s production process. The company emphasizes ethical sourcing, pioneering the US’s first third-party certified Direct Trade Cacao Certification program, ensuring direct relationships with cacao farmers and fair compensation. Taza’s distinctive products, including their signature chocolate discs, are known for bold flavors and a unique, gritty texture that sets them apart in the luxury chocolate market.
2. Theo Chocolate
Established in 2006 by Joe Whinney and Jeff Fairhall in Seattle, Washington, Theo Chocolate is recognized as the first organic, fair trade-certified chocolate maker in the United States. The company is dedicated to ethical sourcing, directly purchasing cocoa beans from farmers in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, and Peru. In 2023, Theo Chocolate announced a merger with American Licorice Company, resulting in the closure of its Seattle factory and the layoff of approximately 60 employees.
3. Dandelion Chocolate
Established in 2010 by Todd Masonis and Cameron Ring in San Francisco’s Mission District, Dandelion Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker dedicated to crafting single-origin dark chocolate using only two ingredients: cocoa beans and organic sugar. The company emphasizes ethical sourcing, working directly with cacao producers worldwide to ensure quality and sustainability. In 2019, Dandelion expanded by opening a 28,000-square-foot factory in the Mission District, offering tours, classes, and a café for visitors to experience their chocolate-making process firsthand.
4. Askinosie Chocolate
Founded in 2007 by former criminal defense attorney Shawn Askinosie in Springfield, Missouri, Askinosie Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer renowned for its commitment to direct trade and sustainability. The company sources 100% of its cocoa beans directly from farmers in Ecuador, Tanzania, and the Philippines, ensuring fair compensation and profit-sharing with producers. Askinosie Chocolate’s product line includes single-origin dark and milk chocolate bars and unique offerings like natural cocoa powder and roasted cocoa nibs. The company’s dedication to quality and ethical practices has garnered recognition, including being named by Forbes as one of the best small companies in America.
5. Amano Artisan Chocolate
Founded in 2006 by Art Pollard in Orem, Utah, Amano Artisan Chocolate is renowned for its meticulous bean-to-bar production methods. The company’s name, derived from the Italian word “Amano,” translates to “by hand” and “they love,” reflecting its dedication to craftsmanship and passion for chocolate-making. Amano sources premium cocoa beans from regions like Chuao, Venezuela, and Dos Rios, Dominican Republic, emphasizing direct trade relationships with farmers. Their chocolates have garnered international acclaim, including gold medals from the London Academy of Chocolate. Amano’s commitment to quality and traditional techniques has solidified its reputation in the luxury chocolate market.
6. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker
Founded in 1996 by winemaker John Scharffenberger and physician Robert Steinberg, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker pioneered the American bean-to-bar movement. The company gained recognition for producing high-quality, artisanal chocolate with a focus on dark varieties and transparent labeling of cacao content. In 2005, Scharffen Berger was acquired by The Hershey Company, which later closed the original Berkeley factory in 2009. The brand returned to private ownership in 2021, relocating its operations to Ashland, Oregon, where it continues to craft premium chocolate products.
7. Patric Chocolate
Established in 2006 by Alan “Patric” McClure in Columbia, Missouri, Patric Chocolate is a distinguished bean-to-bar manufacturer celebrated for its dedication to quality and innovation. McClure’s passion for fine chocolate was ignited during his time in France, inspiring him to craft premium chocolates from directly sourced cocoa beans. Over the years, Patric Chocolate has garnered numerous accolades, including a record 26 Good Food Awards, reflecting its commitment to excellence. In 2020, McClure earned a PhD in Food Science, further enhancing the company’s expertise in flavor development and product optimization. Today, Patric Chocolate continues to influence the industry through its exceptional products and consulting division, Patric Food & Beverage Development.
8. Mast Chocolate
Founded in 2007 by brothers Rick and Michael Mast in Brooklyn, New York, Mast Chocolate is recognized for popularizing the bean-to-bar movement in the United States. The company emphasizes craftsmanship and quality, sourcing cocoa beans directly from small farms and employing traditional chocolate-making techniques. Their distinctive, minimalist packaging and commitment to simple ingredients have set them apart in the luxury chocolate market. Despite facing controversy in 2015 over their production methods, the Mast brothers have continued to innovate and adapt within the artisanal chocolate industry.
9. Fruition Chocolate Works
Founded in 2011 by Bryan Graham in the Catskill Mountains of New York, Fruition Chocolate Works is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and ethical sourcing. Graham, a Culinary Institute of America alumnus, developed a passion for chocolate-making during his externship at Jacques Torres Chocolates in NYC. Fruition emphasizes transparency and quality, selecting flavorful cocoa beans to create award-winning chocolates and confections. The company has received numerous accolades, including recognition from Dessert Professional Magazine and multiple Good Food Awards. Fruition’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of biodegradable packaging and support for fair trade practices.
10. Castronovo Chocolate
Founded in 2012 by Denise and Jim Castronovo in Stuart, Florida, Castronovo Chocolate is a micro-batch chocolate maker specializing in single-origin bars crafted from sustainably harvested heirloom cacao beans sourced from remote rainforests in Central and South America. The company emphasizes ethical sourcing and environmental conservation, working closely with indigenous communities to protect biodiversity. Castronovo’s dedication to quality and sustainability has earned international recognition, including being named among the country’s top 50 chocolate makers by Food & Wine magazine in 2021.
History of Luxury Chocolate Brands In America
Historically, European countries like Switzerland and Belgium were known for producing the best premium chocolates. In contrast, American chocolate was often associated with mass production and sweeter flavors, lacking the artisanal touch of European confections. This began to change as American chocolatiers sought to elevate their craft, inspired by European traditions yet eager to innovate and establish a distinct identity.
In the early 2000s, the American craft chocolate movement gained momentum, emphasizing bean-to-bar production, ethical sourcing, and unique flavor profiles. Pioneers like Scharffen Berger and Mast Brothers led this transformation, focusing on quality and transparency. This period departed from mass-produced chocolates, with artisans prioritizing direct trade relationships and sustainable practices, aligning with growing consumer demand for authenticity and ethical consumption.
Today, the United States boasts a vibrant landscape of luxury chocolate brands that rival their European counterparts. Chocolatiers across the country experiment with diverse ingredients and innovative techniques, creating products that reflect regional flavors and cultural influences. This evolution has positioned American luxury chocolates among the most sought-after globally, showcasing the nation’s dedication to quality, creativity, and ethical production in fine confections.
Share Your Luxury Chocolate Experiences
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the best luxury chocolate brands in the United States. Do you have favorites, advice, or feedback about their unique flavors or craftsmanship? All opinions, positive or critical, are welcomed and valued. Luxury chocolates crafted in the US have redefined the industry, and we invite you to join the conversation by sharing your experiences and insights into these exceptional brands. We also carry over 700 chocolate products; you can view them here.
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