something that you feel will find its own form

something that you feel will find its own form - kerouac

A few months ago in my internet wanderings, I came across Mast Brothers Chocolate, as part of the Williamsburg Renaissance and artisanal food movement, which I have become much more aware of since I spent a week in the Northern Kingdom of Vermont, last September. I wanted to go to Wiliamsburg and take in the scene. So when I was looking for something to do in the area; I was pleased to find out that the Mast Brothers provided a tour of their factory, and i signed up for it.

I love the whole vibe of Williamsburg. It was teeming with young people, small specialty shops and artists. I visited a lovely book store. The first book that my eyes fell upon was, Wendell Berry's What Are People For? And everywhere I looked I saw titles that I was very interested in or had heard good things about.

A light drizzle was falling. It was pleasant. Winter rain is pleasurable to me.

I couldn't help thinking. It would be nice to live in this neighborhood. I was falling in love with Williamsburg.

at the end of the 3rd street north, you can see the river!

the mast brothers retail store and original factory

Mast Brothers Chocolate company will be three years old this Valentine's Day.

They expanded into this factory space a year ago.

The very first thing I see, is this gentleman, hand wrapping and labeling chocolates.

the fleur de sel and almonds bar

bulldog on my water glass

a month's supply of cacao beans for production

boxes of their Brooklyn Blend chocolates

i *think* you are not allowed to be a man in Williamsburg without a beard :-)

our guide Ian shows us a short video before we commence the tour

Rick Mast - visionary and pioneer

Michael Mast

my tour buddy

Ian said that the tour usually has about thirty people but the day i was there, it was just my Portland chum and myself

ian - chocolatier, cinematographer

your artist

These beans are grown in the Dominican Republic. Mast Brothers Chocolate pays their workers three times what is required to be certified Freetrade. These beans were brought from the D.R. on a sailboat, that a gentleman took a quarter century to build in his front yard. The voyage took thirty days.
Needless to say that story made me think of Nails! He would have loved this, and I wished he could have been there! The story takes a dramatic turn, and there is to be a documentary, as they ended up being taken into custody by customs and interrogated quite seriously.

the roasted beans are then ground and winnowed

cocoa nibs i.e. yummers

Ian sprinkles cocoa nibs on his ice cream and granola

The only additive in Mast Brothers dark chocolate is organic cane sugar, or maple sugar powder. To this very pure chocolate, they then add their signature blend flavourings: fleur de sel, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts cayenne pepper, truffle, vanilla and dried cranberries.

we were given a taste right out of the grinder

When the grinding is finished the chocolate is poured into these stainless pans to age

completed Mast Brothers Chocolate bars

the select ingredients

folding and labeling the Brooklyn Blend

their chocolate bar rappers are famously beautiful

yay! chocolate tasting

The La Red de Guaconejo and the one from Papua New Guinea are my favourites. But do not believe any bad reviews you may find online. These bars are ALL delicious, with notes of coffee, wine, citrus and smoke depending on the particular single roast. They are a treat and delight and I think worth every premium penny for a premium product.

mast brothers chocolate

Thanks Ian. You gave us a very thorough tour. I love the philosophy and the integrity of this company. The love that they put into what they do, can be seen in the camaraderie of the workers and can be easily tasted, in the end product.
Read more about the company and follow their blog, and when you have a chance take the L train into Brooklyn and take the tour in Williamsburg.