The Difference Between a Chocolatier and a Chocolate Maker
People all around the world love chocolate. Whether you prefer creamy milk chocolate or rich dark chocolate, have you ever stopped to consider the craftspeople behind your favourite chocolate creations? In the world of chocolate, there are two main roles: chocolate makers and chocolatiers. While the terms might seem interchangeable, the two roles have distinctly different skill sets and describe two different kinds of artisans. Delve into the difference between a chocolate maker and a chocolatier.
What Is a Chocolate Maker?
Chocolate makers manufacture chocolate from dried cocoa beans using specific equipment such as roasters, grinders, refiner mills, conches, and tempering machines. These experts roast, grind, refine, conch, and temper dried cocoa beans to make different kinds of chocolate. Their finished product is pure chocolate – usually in bar form, but some manufacturers also produce other forms, such as chocolate chips or cocoa powder.
By sourcing high-quality cacao beans and using traditional techniques, chocolate makers craft delicious bulk chocolate. A chocolate maker, then, creates the chocolate which the chocolatier needs as an ingredient for confections and desserts. Fine chocolate is defined in terms of its flavour, texture, and appearance, as well as how its limited ingredients — high cocoa and low sugar content — are sourced and processed.
The role of the chocolate maker typically ends after they create their bulk chocolate.
Sourcing Their Crop
The best chocolate makers work closely with farmers to ensure ethical and sustainable practices in the harvesting of cocoa beans. At Cococo, we’re transparent about our cocoa sourcing : the cocoa and cocoa butter in our chocolate is Rainforest Alliance Certified™, meaning it is third-party sustainable and ethically sourced to support farming communities in West Africa.
What Is a Chocolatier?
Chocolatiers, or chocolate confectioners, source and blend the pure chocolate crafted by the chocolate makers in order to achieve specific properties and flavour profiles. Then, chocolatiers use it to create their own unique bonbons, confections, and bars.
The main difference between a chocolatier and a chocolate maker is the maker produces basic chocolate products, while the chocolatier elevates the chocolate by combining it with other ingredients. Chocolatiers are skilled artisans who specialize in crafting delicious chocolate treats. Here are examples of what you could buy from a chocolatier:
- Truffles
- Fudge
- Chocolate bark
- Bonbons
- Chocolate-covered fruits or nuts
- Pastries
Many chocolatiers make plain or gourmet chocolate bars sprinkled with inclusioins or filled with caramel, peanut butter, or ganache. Some even create fabulous chocolate sculptures. Likewise, chocolatiers can use moulds to make shapes, such as chocolate hearts, Yule logs, or Easter bunnies.
Pro Tip
Shopping for quality fine chocolate confections means buying from skilled chocolatiers. Each expert has a different recipe for how they create their sweets.
Shop at Cococo
As a Calgary based chocolate shop, the talented chocolatiers here at Cococo believe that delicious chocolate confections bring us closer together - that's what we mean by "Chocolate Together". Indulge in the best chocolate in Canada!