Jenn here, and in case you haven’t heard, it’s hard to be a woman some days. If there’s one thing that unites us, rewards us, inspires us… it’s surely our love for chocolate! We’ve been charmed by boyfriends with it, made late-night runs for it, some of us even have secret stashes of it. That’s why our entire team is dying to visit Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Company in the historic neighborhood of Inman Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Owner Kristen Hard is a chocolatier-turned-chocolate maker, and she’s on the short list of Americans who are making artisanal “bean-to-bar” chocolate — yes, that’s short for cacao bean to chocolate bar. Which means that Kristen is involved in the entire process of making chocolate, from carefully sourcing her own cocoa beans to tempering the final product. Almost entirely self-taught, Kristen is quickly becoming known for her Southern-inspired chocolate creations — a mint julep truffle, a maple candied pecan chocolate bar, a chocolate salami, even a Georgia peanut and hickory smoked sea salt chocolate bar! Oh, and she only makes dark chocolate. A girl by our own heart. We’ll take one of each, please.
For those of us who aren’t able to peruse the full menu at Cacao in person, there’s always the online store. I don’t know about you, but I find that… comforting. See more after the jump!
*images {1} atlanta homes & lifestyles magazine, {2} lee clower for town & country, {3 and 4} tina rowden, {5} chocolate explorerer
Mmm … I’d love to spend some serious time there!
xxx
One of the many little jewels here in Atlanta. Had no idea she was self taught. What an inspiration!
Love this place! I went on a tour of the original place a few years ago. They also have the best hot cocoa during the winter months!
I love visiting Cacao! Everything is so delicious, and the atmosphere is wonderful. It’s the perfect place to have a hot drink and nibble chocolates or macarons.
I love this shop!
oh wow, so this is the place to be right now!
I’ve been there and I love it. The place has some of the finest chocolates!
Headed to ATL this week and will have to check this place out! I have been craving some fine chocolate.
this looks so good. I went to college in atlanta, but its been years since I’ve visited..one more reason to go back!
They also have a store in Buckhead and it is dangerously close to my house.
A cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant is a must!
How adorable is that packaging?! On my list of places to visit!
I would like to visit and watch how the beans are turned into chocolate.