|
|
"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."
2456300 visits and counting.
It’s been a bit I know.
New beans should be in within the next month. Some new Panama, hopefully some Ocumare and Cuyagua, plus two new origins, Nicaragua and Peru.
Also, I am offering what I hope are some very incentive laden deals on the Behmor. I have currently decided to not restock new Behmor for a […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates | 5 Comments »
I have a number of refurbished Behmors now available. The are $210 (normally $300) and come with a full warranty.
Also, we should have a couple new beans in next week. The wildly fruity Organic Madagascar and some beautiful and deep toned Fair Trade Ghana from Kuapo Kokoo coop.
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, What's new & Updates | 2 Comments »
There are a couple of refurbished Behmors available for those who have been waiting.
Filed under: Products, Roasting, What's new & Updates | No Comments »
My dear partner Penelope put this together, noting that so far there is not one single page outlining the entire chocolate making procedure start to finish. Well, now there is.
Chocolate Making at Home 101
It won’t give you everything you need in detail (hence the ‘101′) but gives a great overview. For all the detailed […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, Refining & Conching, Grinding, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Musings, Tempering | 8 Comments »
How’s that for a title?
I celebrated 12th night last night (secular form actually) and for dessert I prepared a fresh Tabasco (bean of course) based flourless torte - just to die for. I thought I would share both parts.
69% Dark Tabasco chocolate - 6.25 lbs
5 lbs of Tabasco cocoa
5 oz Natural cocoa butter
30 oz […]
Filed under: Products, Cocoa Beans, Roasting, Refining & Conching, What's new & Updates, Grinding, Cracking & Winnowing, Alchemist's Musings | 3 Comments »
Our stock of Behmor 1600’s are now in stock and all pre-orders have been shipped out. I opened up and tested a couple units and there were as expected. They now have a new clasp on the drum that I like quite a bit. Much more secure. I will get a photo up this weekend.
You […]
Filed under: Products, Roasting, What's new & Updates | No Comments »
