Dough Ball Whiskey Launches Newest Flavor: Birthday Cake
Dough Ball‘s newest launch, Birthday Cake Whiskey, is a snackable reminder that you can have your cake and drink it, too!
The fastest-growing, top 12 flavored whiskey brand in the U.S.* first crashed the flavored whiskey category in August 2021, with an award-winning Cookie Dough Whiskey that national media publications have crowned “the best of class flavored whiskey.”
Due to the continued consumer demand for flavored whiskey and rapid success in its first year, Dough Ball is expanding its decadent flavor portfolio with a new and innovative Birthday Cake Whiskey. Blending the mouthwatering nostalgia of sprinkled vanilla cake with a smooth, medium-bodied, 70-proof whiskey, Birthday Cake is perfectly crafted for indulgent cocktails, creamy birthday cake shots and celebrations.
“At Dough Ball,
we’re all about creating fun and innovative whiskeys
that push the boundaries on flavor.
We think we have accomplished that with Birthday Cake,”
Joey Parris, Chief Marketing Officer at Patco Brands
“It’s delicious, nostalgic and makes you feel like every day is your birthday.”
Within a year of launch, Dough Ball Whiskey expanded into over 30 states, becoming the fastest-growing flavored whiskey brand and winner of over a dozen awards, including the Bartender Spirits Awards, SIP Awards, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and more.
“It’s delicious, nostalgic and makes you feel like every day is your birthday.”
Dough Ball’s new Birthday Cake Whiskey is available at select Total Wine and BevMo! locations, with additional retailers to come throughout 2024, including Ralph’s, Albertsons and Walgreens. The suggested retail price of Birthday Cake Whiskey is $26.99.
Dough Ball’s new Birthday Cake Whiskey is available at select Total Wine and BevMo! locations, with additional retailers to come throughout 2024, including Ralph’s, Albertsons and Walgreens. The suggested retail price of Birthday Cake Whiskey is $26.99.
For more information, please visit DoughBallWhiskey.com or follow along on Instagram @doughball_whiskey.
*Nielsen, Total US x AOC + Liquor Plus + Conv, Whiskey Latest 52wks thru 12/30/2023
Dough Ball is a flavored whiskey from Patco Brands
Dough Ball is a flavored whiskey from Patco Brands, one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the United States. Featuring notes of buttery vanilla, chocolate and caramel, smoothed out with hints of butterscotch, Dough Ball exudes flavors of warm cookie dough goodness in a delicious, 70-proof whiskey. Birthday Cake is a new flavor profile to the whiskey category, with notes of nostalgic birthday cake and vanilla buttercream frosting. Unapologetically unique, versatile and approachable, this Cookie Dough and Birthday Cake Whiskey can be enjoyed as a shot, sipped, or mixed in a cocktail. For more info, visit www.doughballwhiskey.com and follow along on social at @doughball_whiskey.
Patco Brands is for innovative premium alcohol beverages
MPL Brands NV, Inc. dba Patco Brands is a privately held import, manufacturing, marketing and sales company for innovative premium alcohol beverages. Dedicated to making award-winning, ready-to-drink wine-based products, tequilas, whiskeys, hard seltzers and other offerings, the Patco Brands mission is innovation, quality and consistency. Patco Brands is also now one of the largest importers of tequila in the U.S.
For more information, please visit www.patcobrands.com.
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NYC’s Newest Margarita: Hailee Steinfeld Launches Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail with Premium Beers Group
Hailee Steinfeld Launches Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail with Premium Beers Group
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording artist, and producer Hailee Steinfeld, in partnership with Premium Beers Group, a leader within the alcohol industry in Mexico, proudly announces the launch of Angel Margarita.
Hailee Steinfeld falls in love with flavor
Hailee Steinfeld has openly expressed her love for margaritas, often sharing glimpses of her favorite citrusy cocktail on social media. Whether enjoying a classic lime margarita or experimenting with fun flavors like spicy or strawberry, she appreciates the drink’s refreshing and vibrant appeal. Her enthusiasm for margaritas perfectly complements her fun-loving personality, making it a go-to choice for celebrations and casual outings alike.
This premium ready-to-drink margarita cocktail is made with 100% Agave Tequila from the rich soil of Jalisco, Mexico.
Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail
To ensure that each can offers an authentic and refreshing taste experience, Angel Margarita is then fully crafted just moments from the Agave fields.
Blending Hailee’s West Coast style with the deep Mexican roots of her co-founders Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez, Angel Margarita will lead the category with its commitment to quality. Angel Margarita will launch with four vibrant and refreshing flavors: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry.
“Margaritas have always been my go-to cocktail,
so making a ready-to-drink version with high-quality ingredients that didn’t compromise on taste was important to me,”
Hailee Steinfeld
co-founder
“After visiting the Blue Agave fields in Jalisco with my partners Jordi and Rodrigo, I was inspired by the region. I am so proud of what we have created together and cannot wait for the world to try Angel Margarita.”
In 2023, premixed cocktails were the fastest-growing spirits category in the US, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, marking a 26.8% increase year over year. Tequila was the second fastest-growing category, valued at $6.5 billion, up 7.9% yearly.
To underscore the excitement and potential of this fast-growing category, Angel Margarita has partnered with Philip Button, Founder and CEO of Seven XV Ventures and Geloso Beverage Group, one of the leading alcohol beverage manufacturers and distributors in North America. With their support, Angel Margarita will begin its launch in Southern California.
“Hailee is the perfect partner to help us share an authentic piece of our culture and redefine the ready-to-drink market through Angel Margarita with a more global audience,” said Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez, co-founders at Angel Margarita. “We invite consumers to taste our 100% Agave Tequila premium cocktails and to experience an authentic piece of Mexico in every sip.
Stay up to date on Angel Margarita: www.angelmargarita.com / @angelmargarita
100% Tequila, 100% Angel Margarita.
Angel Margarita stands out with its high standards of craftsmanship and tradition:
- Protected Denomination of Origin sourced and manufactured in Jalisco, Mexico
- Expertly crafted high-quality ingredient list featuring 100% Agave Tequila Blanco, a blend of sparkling water, agave syrup, and natural flavors
- Each 12 oz can is 6% ABV and is gluten-free
- Available in four flavors to start: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry
- Retail = $14.99 / 4-pack, $28.99 / 8-pack variety
About Hailee Steinfeld:
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording musician, and producer Hailee Steinfeld remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Her leading performance in the 2016 critically acclaimed film THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN garnered her two Critics’ Choice Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Her big-screen debut was in 2010 with the Coen Brothers’ film TRUE GRIT, for which she earned an Oscar nomination at only 14 years old. Up next, she will star alongside Michael B. Jordan in Warner Brothers and Ryan Coogler’s latest film, SINNERS. The supernatural action horror-thriller is set to release globally on April 18, 2025.
About Premium Beers Group:
With over 3 decades of experience, Premium Beers Group has innovated and revolutionized the alcohol category in Mexico. PBG was the first company in Mexico to import 100% malt beers from Europe and introduce craft beer and non-alcoholic beer. Premium Beers Group is the benchmark for excellence and a leader within the premium alcohol category.
About Geloso Group:
A leader in the innovation and development of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Geloso Group manufactures and distributes premium malt beverages, wines, ciders, beers, and spirits. Geloso Group is a valued supplier and trusted partner recognized for its professionalism and commitment to quality, service, and marketing.
Thanksgiving in NYC: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe here]
This Thanksgiving in NYC, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee: A New Era in Health-Conscious Brewing
In today’s health-focused culture, where wellness transcends mere goals to become a lifestyle, mushroom coffee is emerging as a leading trend. This innovative beverage combines the classic energizing effects of coffee with components often linked to the reputed benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Such a blend makes mushroom coffee a more mindful, health-oriented option for daily consumption, resonating especially with those who weave wellness into their daily routines.
Image courtesy of Freepik
The uniqueness of mushroom coffee lies in its ability to enhance the usual coffee experience by potentially offering additional benefits. For those who find regular coffee too acidic, mushroom coffee presents a more stomach-friendly option. Additionally, it incorporates adaptogenic mushrooms, which are believed to help the body better manage stress. This attribute makes mushroom coffee especially enticing to wellness enthusiasts and those seeking a natural way to support their body’s stress response.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of Freepik
Finding a coffee that delivers on both taste and health promises can be a daunting task. Leading the initiative is More.Longevity & Wellbeing with its Coffee Superfood Blends. These products are meticulously developed, selecting each ingredient for its quality and scientific backing, ensuring they contribute effectively to the blend. Flavors such as Salted Caramel Vanilla and Mocha are designed to mask the natural earthiness of mushroom, making the beverage more enjoyable while enhancing its appeal. The addition of adaptogens and essential vitamins in the blends aims to support overall health by boosting immunity, enhancing energy, and improving mental clarity.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of More.Longevity & Wellbeing
The company’s commitment to radical transparency ensures that consumers receive a product free from unnecessary fillers and additives, affirming a respect for consumer health and environmental sustainability. This level of honesty and ecological consideration is becoming increasingly important to consumers who prefer products that are both healthy and environmentally conscious.
As the trend continues to carve a niche within the beverage market, consumers are presented with expanding choices. It’s no longer just about picking a brand; it involves selecting a philosophy and a level of quality that resonates with personal health values and taste preferences. The coffee not only invites coffee lovers to rethink their daily mug but also serves as a gateway to a more mindful and intentional morning routine.
Image Courtesy of Freepik
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Broadway’s ‘FunnyGirl’ Sets New Box Office Record at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre
Broadway’s Funny Girl New Box Office Record at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre
The smash hit revival of FUNNY GIRL set a new box office record at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street) for the week ending January 1, 2023. FUNNY GIRL’s gross for the nine-performance week was $2,405,901.00.
The previous August Wilson Theatre house record was set by FUNNY GIRL the week ending December 18, 2022, with a weekly gross of $2,005,696.80 over eight performances.
Produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani, FUNNY GIRL stars Emmy Award Nominee Lea Michele as Fanny Brice
Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein,
2022 Tony & Drama Desk Award Nominee & Chita Rivera Award Winner Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, and four-time Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Rosie Brice at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).
They are joined by Peter Francis James as Florenz Ziegfeld, Ephie Aardema as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Debra Cardona as Mrs. Meeker, Toni DiBuono as Mrs. Strakosh, Martin Moran as Tom Keeney
And an acting company that includes Miriam Ali, Amber Ardolino, Daniel Beeman, Colin Bradbury, Kurt Csolak, John Michael Fiumara, Leslie Donna Flesner, Candice Hatakeyama, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James, Jeremiah James, Danielle Kelsey, Stephen Mark Lukas, Alicia Lundgren, John Manzari, Liz McCartney, Connor McRory Katie Mitchell, Justin Prescott, Mariah Reives, Barbara Tirrell, Leslie Blake Walker, and “Fanny Brice” alternate Julie Benko, who performs the role every Thursday.
Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs this brand-new FUNNY GIRL, featuring the classic score by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill, (comprising additional songs from Styne & Merrill). The original book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart, is revised by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.
FUNNY GIRL features choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams, sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, hair & wig design by Campbell Young Associates.
Music direction and supervision by Emmy Award winner Michael Rafter, casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA and Jason Thinger, orchestrations by Chris Walker, dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams, and additional arrangements by David Dabbon and Carmel Dean.
This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.
Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL has returned to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago.
Tickets to FUNNY GIRL are now on sale through Sunday, May 28, 2023 at https://seatgeek.com/funny-girl-tickets. Prices start at $69.00.
Powered by Lucky Seat, a limited number of tickets will be available for every performance of FUNNY GIRL for $47.50 per ticket.
Digital lotteries will begin each Monday at 10AM ET and close the day prior to the performance at 10:30 AM ET. Winners will be notified at approximately 11 AM ET the day prior to the performance via email and SMS.
Once notified, winners will have a limited time to claim and pay for their ticket(s). Lottery entrants must be 18 years or older.
Tickets are non-transferable. All sales final. No exchange, no refunds. Ticket limits and prices are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change. For additional rules, and information on how to enter, visit”https://www.luckyseat.com/shows/funnygirl-newyork.
A limited number of standing room tickets are available at the box office on the day of the performance if it is sold out. Standing room tickets are first come, first serve.
Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani together with Gemini Theatrical, Accidental Jacket and Sony Masterworks Broadway recently announced the digital release of FUNNY GIRL – New Broadway Cast Recording,which is now available wherever you stream music.
Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the classic score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), the physical CD is set for release on Friday, January 20, 2023 and available here.
The album is co-produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis, David Babani, Michael Mayer, Brian Gillet, Huck Walton, Sean Keller and Marc Levine. The album is executive produced by Evan McGill and associate producers are Joanna Drowos, Abby Green and PickleStar Theatricals.
FUNNY GIRL is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, David Babani, Roy Furman, No Guarantees, Adam Blanshay Productions, Daryl Roth, Stephanie P. McClelland, Lang Entertainment Group, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, Charles & Nicolas Talar, Fakston Productions, Sanford Robertson, Craig Balsam, Cue to Cue Productions, LenoffFedermanWolofsky Productions, Judith Ann Abrams / Peter May, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jane Bergère, Jean Doumanian, Larry Magid, Rosalind Productions, Iris Smith, Kevin & Trudy Sullivan, Julie Boardman / Kate Cannova, Heni Koenigsberg / Michelle Riley, Mira Road Productions / Seaview, In Fine Company, Elie Landau, Brian Moreland, Henry R. Muñoz III & Kyle Ferari Muñoz, MaggioAbrams / Brian & Dayna Lee.
Follow FUNNY GIRL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @FunnyGirlBway. www.FunnyGirlOnBroadway.com
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Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre
Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre
Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre
Grammy and Academy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge will debut her acclaimed theatrical event, Melissa Etheridge: My Window on Broadway in a limited nine-week residency at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street) beginning Thursday, September 14, with an official opening night of Thursday, September 28, 2023. Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge.com.
Etheridge said:
“I truly love Broadway, and it’s long been a dream of mine to tell my story and share my music there.
I never felt more connected to this community and New York audiences than I did after telling my life story off-Broadway last year.
The intimacy of the live theatrical stage is like no other, and Circle in the Square is going to be a magical home for my show’s Broadway debut. I can’t wait to come back to the City! It’s a deeply personal experience to be able to tell these stories again, in a fresh and exciting way, and reconnect with my fans and theatergoers.”
Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge has lit up airwaves and arenas across the world for more than two decades with instant classics like “I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over,” and more. Melissa Etheridge: My Window is an intimate experience like never before, inviting theatergoers into an exhilarating evening of storytelling and music. From tales of her childhood in Kansas to her groundbreaking career highlights – with all of life’s hits and deep cuts between – Etheridge opens her heart and soul on stage to fearlessly dazzle audiences of all generations.
In October 2022, Etheridge celebrated the world premiere of Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway: My Window – A Journey Through Life. The three-week, sold-out engagement was performed at New World Stages in New York City. The New York Times calls the show “honest and searing. The smoky-voiced, out-and-proud trailblazer finds her own way in ‘My Window’…. pairing completely charming tales with staggeringly beautiful renditions of her songs.” Theatermania says My Window is “A GREAT Party. Etheridge delights us with a dry sense of humor and a whole lot of tremendous music as she recounts her life. She’s an amazing performer – had me in the palm of her hand!” Queerty declares, “Etheridge’s star power is undeniable, she delivers the emotional ferocity that is the very definition of rock ‘n roll. And her stories have the well-crafted arc and casualness of sitting at your favorite bar with a bestie.”
Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre
The Broadway residency is produced by Michael Cohl and EMC Presents; in association with Larry Mestel, Deborah Klein, and Steven Greener for Primary Wave Music. Glenn Orsher serves as Executive Producer.
Melissa Etheridge: My Window is written by Melissa Etheridge, with additional material by Linda Wallem-Etheridge (“Nurse Jackie” showrunner, “That ‘70s Show”), and directed by Amy Tinkham (Aerosmith’s “Deuces Are Wild” Las Vegas Residency, Dancing with the Stars Live). The creative team includes scenic design by Emmy Award nominee Bruce Rodgers (Super Bowl Halftime shows since 2010), lighting design by Abigail Rosen Holmes (Phish, David Byrne’s “Contemporary Color”), projection design by Olivia Sebesky (James Taylor, Chad Deity), and sound design by Colle Bustin (West Side Story).
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE & TICKETING
Tickets start at $99.50 plus fees and are on sale now at Telecharge.com. The regular performance schedule is Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday at 7 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. (Note: There are also several Monday and Tuesday evening performances.) The performance schedule varies; check the website for the most up-to-date information.
ABOUT MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Melissa Etheridge (Writer/Performer) stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy® in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the massive hits, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, “I Want to Come Over.” Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.
In February 2007, Melissa Etheridge celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy® Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. As a performer and songwriter, Etheridge has shown herself to be an artist who has never allowed “inconvenient truths” to keep her down. Earlier in her recording career, Etheridge acknowledged her sexual orientation when it was considered less than prudent to do so. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won. Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 Grammy® telecast to sing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin. By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease.
On October 7, 2016, Melissa Etheridge released Memphis Rock & Soul, her first album since 2014’s critically lauded This Is M.E. Recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, the album received stellar reviews from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, Parade, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and more. She followed that up with the release of The Medicine Show in April 2019. For The Medicine Show, Melissa reunited with celebrated producer John Shanks and sounds as rousing as ever, bringing a new level of artistry to her 15th studio recording. The Medicine Show deals with universal themes of renewal, reconciliation, reckoning, compassion, and, most profoundly, healing.
In June 2020, Etheridge launched her own live-streaming subscription and single-ticket concert platform, Etheridge TV, and has done over 200 live stream events since 2020.
On September 17, 2021, Melissa released a new album called One Way Out. The 9-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that never made the cut….until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse into who Melissa was then.
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Chocolate Lovers, Do You Understand ‘Bean to Bar’ ? Honeymoon Chocolates Cam Loyet explains it
Chocolate fans, Do You Understand ‘Bean to Bar’ ? Honeymoon Chocolates Cam Loyet explains it
Honeymoon Chocolates was founded in a dorm room back in 2016 making bean-to-bar craft chocolate sweetened solely with raw honey.
Years later, bean to bar is only getting more popular. But what does it actually mean? Do you know where to go? What to look for or ask for?
So we asked Cam Loyet from Honeymoon Chocolates
What does “Bean to Bar” Craft chocolate mean? Is it as simple as a one sentence answer? Or Is it more complicated?
It’s far more complicated. In itself, it’s a little bit selfish in my opinion. There’s a lot of benefit employing those who work in origin to also manufacture the chocolate. That’s something that we’d be interested in down the road. We just can’t afford it so right now we take all the effort, all the energy and time to do it here in St. Louis.
It’s a really fun process. But you do end up taking a lot of the credit where the credit isn’t necessarily due. A lot of the credits due for the fine cocoa farmers at origin.
Can you walk me through the basic concept?
So in our industry it’s wherever you receive the dry, unfermented cocoa beans. and you roast them. What you’re doing is crafting this flavor and you’re manufacturing a product that otherwise wouldn’t wouldn’t necessarily exist.
If you have the ability to roast [in-house] and you start [you’re own manufacturing process] ]there, you’re ‘bean to bar’.
It just gives a little bit more local sense to chocolate. Whenever you open up a bar, and you don’t know where it’s manufactured and how it’s manufactured, you lose a bit of that local sense. It becomes more of a global or nationwide feel.
l got it. So the beans come from somewhere else, they arrive under your roof and the manufacturing process happens under your roof. So beans come in and a bar comes out, but it all happens under the same roof.
Yes. And it’s traceable. That’s also very important.
So when I’m at a Whole Foods, or any high-end retail groceries, there are many craft chocolate bars. What am I looking for to know the difference?
I love the idea of when a consumer looks at a list of 9 bars, they instantly go ‘is it a dark, milk or or white. If it’s dark, what percentage do I like?’
It starts with, what percentage do they like? And then from there you go into this dialogue with the consumer when they try your product.
But it really does start with what the consumer likes. You can’t necessarily force an 85% bar onto a consumer that enjoys white chocolate.
But you look at the ingredients on them. There are some good makers that use Lecithin just because it makes the product easier to work with, but it does make it less of a clean label product. So you look at the clean label from nutrition.
You are gonna look and see if it’s single origin to check to see where the cocoa comes from. Just because it does highlight the farmers’ work a little bit more. There’s some big makers that combine origins because they have more of a fruity flavor versus a more chocolate-forward cocoa bean. So then they combine them. But I do find that it kind of does take away from the efforts that do happen earlier on in the supply chain.
Thank you, Cam.
Visits Honeymoon Chocolates at: https://hmchocolates.com
On Instagram, at: www.instagram.com/honeymoonchocolates
On Facebook, at: https://www.facebook.com/honeymoonchocolates
