Tavernier Chocolates crafts small-batch, ethically sourced confections using traditional European techniques combined with locally sourced and foraged ingredients to make unique and delicious chocolates. Elegant, earthy, seasonally inspired artisan chocolates are the heart of Tavernier Chocolates. Founders Dar and John moved to Southern Vermont from San Francisco after falling in love with the area during a cross-country adventure. They handcraft their creations in a 1910 brick mill building and sell them at various retail locations and out of their shop in downtown Brattleboro.

Dar, John, and their team are dedicated to exploring cacao’s many facets and flavors. Dar’s background in restaurants, as an artist and chemist, combined with John’s experience as a craft coffee roaster and managing and leading small businesses, has provided them with a strong background to combine making chocolate with the things they love most: art, food, science, and place. Their favorite part of the business is making food people use to treat themselves and others, celebrate special occasions and explore adventurous flavors. They love talking about the source of their ingredients and coming up with new recipes and flavor combinations is always exciting with their local foraging and farming communities.

Growing up in the Northern Adirondacks and St. Lawrence Valley, Dar’s recipes resonate with the tastes of fresh spruce tips, wild mint, berries, wildflowers, and other treats from her childhood. From Dar’s family surname of French and Québécois descent, the name Tavernier is inspired by Dar’s ancestors’ hard work, passion, and dedication, as well as her grandmother, Ella Tavernier. With a food philosophy that includes the best, ethically sourced ingredients, techniques, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things, you can make delicious, exciting chocolates you can’t find anywhere else. They want their chocolates to be a whole experience, both visual and taste-wise and tell a story about our locale.

Tavernier’s chocolate comes from single-origin couverture purchased directly from Latin American producer Republica del Cacao in Ecuador. This keeps more money in the local economy, creates more jobs, and helps farmers get higher bean prices. Many farmers have formed farmer-owned cooperatives and work with processors every step of the way. Climate change is a major contributor affecting current chocolate and ingredient prices and availability, keeping the company on its toes and constantly innovating.

Tavernier Chocolates doesn’t use plastic bags or box dividers; its kraft boxes are recyclable and use 100% recycled boxboard and paper. Cellophane bags are also biodegradable and compostable, and paper labels are recyclable. Since they do not use added preservatives in their recipes, they recommend enjoying their chocolates soon after receiving them.