It’s a day for announcements   Just a lot of things to cover.

I’ll start off with that we have a new bean in, that we have not had in some time.  The Co-op has really stepped up consistency, so whereas before, this cocoa bean had a good flavor, you had to work a bit for it.  Now, you get nice flavor (soft blackberry, malt and biscuit), it’s easy to work with also.  Go check out the new review for the Dominican Republic from Conacado Co-op.
I have been wanting to do this next item for some time.  I am venturing into Roasted beans with the assistance of a semi local roaster.   There will be a just a select few for a while, plus a weekly roasting schedule for those that don’t want or need 10 lbs.  Just order ahead and they will go out as their week comes around.  And as a small bonus, the  Don Homero that I ran out of a month back or so, will be available until it runs out.  If this goes well, I will cycle all of the cocoa bean stock to roasted availability.
I have the next version of the Winnow designed up, and will get parts in the next couple weeks.  After that, it goes to a local shop for beta versions.  A couple months still, but coming up and making progress.
And finally, a minor note.  I have reduced (pretty drastically) the Sampler pack prices.  Somehow the prices were a hold over from when beans were more expensive.

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The move is now complete, although not finished.  As in there is much unpacking and arranging to do.  Internet and such moved flawlessly.  I should be able to complete all orders this coming weekend and get them out this week.

One glitch though is the e-mail is currently one way.  I have been receiving e-mails, but you some of you might have noticed you have not received a reply, which is not normal for me.  Out going e-mail is off line for some reason.  So, be assured, I am getting them, and will answer as soon as I am technically capable.  The new address (which I will propagate around the site) is:

Chocolate Alchemy

3796 Stewart Road

Eugene OR 97402

I hope everyone had a great new year.  Here’s to a new year.

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Dec 23 update -

All orders that have come in have now been packed and are ready to shipped.  I am going to go ahead and close up shop until the new year.  Drop ships (champions, Melangers, cocoa mills) and gift certificates can still go out.  Everything else, unless I just happen to have it out still, will wait until the turn of the year.  E-mail is still up, so if you need help or a question answered, I am still here.
I wish everyone a great and prosperous holiday and new year.  And thank you for all you have done to help and support me in this very trying year.

Alchemist John
————-
I and my daughter are moving ‘into town’.  What that means is that Chocolate Alchemy is moving also.

What does this mean for you, my customers?  As I always do, I will be leaving the shopping cart turned on, but after Dec 23 will be the last day I will be shipping before then turn of the year.  Everything has to be packed up, broken down, moved 60 miles, put back up in good order, internet connections made, etc, etc etc.  I figure it will take about a week.  Maybe shorter, maybe longer.  It will take how ever long it takes in other words.

Keep the emails and questions coming.  I will try to keep down time to a minimum as well as turn around times, but delays are bound to happen.

So, official dates for closing are December 24 - January 3, with the 4-11th to catch back up.

Happy holidays everyone.

Alchemist John

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OK, I have a working system again, but don’t have access to a number of files and e-mails I use.  But orders are going out, I am catching up on e-mails and e-mails are coming in.

In the event you have written to me in the last week, give me a week or so to respond.  After that, if you have not heard back from me, please write again.

In the mean time, the new crop of Papua New Guinea is in.  Still smokey, but a little more mellow this year.

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I woke up  this morning to a blue screen of death.  To those that don’t instantly get the meaning of that, some ‘part’ of my primary computer died overnight.  I am posting this on an emergency back up computer at an offsite system.  I don’t have ANY email access, and the ability to process or ship any orders for the time being is uncertain.  You are welcome to place orders though. 

I will be attempting to get the orders out that came in last week, but I can’t promise anything at the moment.  As you have SOOOO many times before, please bare with me.

Again, I have no email, so can’t update anyone on anything except through this medium.

Thanks.

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Due to some prompting from, Santha is now making a Stainless Still hub for the Alchemist’s Stone Melanger.  I have 9 available.  Caps will be available after the turn of the year.

Also, the friuty  Madagascar is back in stock.  And I finally have in 100% Organic whole milk powder.  Look for it over the weekend.  I will put up the link then.

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