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"It is dark as the AlChemist walks along the corridor, rough stone under his feet, air warmed from well smoldering hearth fires stirring his cowl. He opens a hewn timber door, worn smooth at the threshold over years of use. He breaths deeply the comforting smells of this laboratory. Hints of wood and smoke linger in the air from the last time he roasted raw materials for his elixirs. Another smell, heady and almost intoxicating, brings a smile to his face as he remembers the smell wafting up as he was last grinding his pastes and powders. He looks about. Everything is in place. The roasting drum is cool in the hearth. The mortars and pestles are laid out neat and tidy, only a small amount of deep brown paste marring their finish. The cracking mill is sitting ready, waiting for the next batch to be crushed fresh out of the roaster. It is time to begin his magic, his devotion, his passion, his Alchemy, yet again. He prepares himself for the work ahead. The roasting, the cracking, the winnowing, the grinding, the mixing. The transformation of base materials into something more than they were. The transformation of cocoa beans to chocolate, the work of Chocolate Alchemy."
2466048 visits and counting.
Everything is back up and running after being down for more than I expected. TWO failed hard drives….but nothing lost. It will probably take me a few days to catch up on all orders and e-mail. Any roasted or brewing cocoa will be delayed a little longer simply due to time constraints. Thank you in […]
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I will be attending Chocolate Fest in Portland on January 20-21. Drop me a line if you will be there - we can see about meeting up and talking and tasting real chocolate.
BTW - no booth - I’m ‘just’ attending. (hint, look for the chocolate colored kilt)
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Have a great one everyone!
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There has recently been a lot of buzz about various brewing chocolates. Choffy and Crio Bru are the two big ones that come to mind. I’ve received more inquires than I can count about what makes them so special, if my roasted cocoa beans will work and how one can make their own hot chocolate […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Musings | 12 Comments »
Sometimes I just can’t help myself. I don’t have the full size Aether readily available (although, it’s marching quickly closer), but I had to see if I could put together what I’ve wanted for years - a table top winnower.
And I did. May I present the Aether “Sprite” -
All the same basic features of the […]
Filed under: What's new & Updates, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Musings | 14 Comments »
Okay, for those of you completely chomping at the bit, here is the first draft of an easy to build and operate Do It Yourself (DIY) winnower. It’s made from 2″ and 3″ PVC fittings and pipe, a Champion Juicer and a common Shop-Vac. You will need to work out a support structure for it […]
Filed under: What's new & Updates, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Musings | 6 Comments »
