1511 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Berkeley-North DIY Tour
UPDATE 3/2019: This location has closed. Their shop in Palo Alto is still open.
Pure chocolate
Alegio Chocolaté, which was founded in 2006, has their own line of truffles, but what’s more unique about them is the chocolate they carry by Claudio Corallo, for whom they are his only US distributor.
Claudio Corallo is a tree-to-bar maker who maintains more control than anybody we’ve ever heard of before over the entire process starting from growing the cacao trees on his own plantation on a small island off the coast of west Africa. He even grows most of his flavoring ingredients, such as coffee beans, alcohol and oranges, then processes his chocolate slowly, but minimally.
The results are worth the effort, including a 100% chocolate (0% sugar) bar that isn’t bitter as you would expect, but more savory.
Alegio offers regular chocolate-tasting “tours” of Claudio Corallo chocolate. If you’re into chocolate beyond just enjoying it, they are fun and very educational about a unique chocolatier.
If you’re more interested in filled chocolates, Alegio’s line of truffles is very good and has some interesting flavors like ginger and orange, grapefruit, and honey, which we liked best. They use Tasmanian honey, which gives the ganache a fruity, caramel-like flavor, that’s also a little peppery.
CBTB Tip:
Alegio often offers Groupons for chocolate tastings.
Alegio Chocolaté’s other location:
Read more on CBTB:
