New arrivals & Chocolate Formulator

Madagascar will be back in stock early next week.  I also have a brand new semi-washed (more on that later) Ecuador that is full of clean graham cracker and malt flavors.  A couple weeks after that I am going to be offering up four of the current stock as roasted (with small minimums) and see how that goes. And finally the stock of refurbished Behmors is quickly dwindling but also I am not able to repair them at the speed I want (Penelope is p. rehab after another surgery, so spare time is a myth) but I getting a couple here and there.

The winnower?  Not much with that spare time myth, but I do have a new cracker/mill in mind that I hope to couple with the winnower.

But in a spat of free time, I finished up a Chocolate Formulator in Excel I have used for some time now.  You can down load it and them discuss it over in the Forum or down load it directly below.

Chocolate Alchemy Formulator 

220-240 V Behmors now available

We have set up an arrangement with the UK distributor of the Behmor to drop ship 220-240 V models for us.  More details are on the Behmor page.  I am now about 2/3 of the way through my refurbished unit waiting list and expect to have them generally available in about a month.  Unfortunately we are now out of the small grid cylinders.

Winnower update and closing dates

Winnower:  The winnower is apart, modified, and on the way back to being put back together.  Winnower V.1.2.  It has a more optimized flow path for both the beans and nibs and the introduction point is now optimized.  The plan for V.1.3 is the automated feed mechanism and closed catch basic for the nibs.  After that,  V.2.1 gets built out of metal, and I start working out manufacturing possibilities for the beta units. Closing:  I will be out of town from June 22 to July 9.  E-mail will be very limited.  I will be in Florida dealing with my mother's estate.  As always, I will leave the store open but no orders will ship until the week after July 9.  I will have all orders complete that are currently in house.

Refurbished Behmors:  I am about 3/4 through the waiting list.  Everyone who has asked to be put on or before May 30 has been notified of available units.  Check your email dates.  If you wrote me before May 30, but did not get a notice, please write me as you should have.  A number of people have not responded, so I moved on down the list.

Cocoa butter:  Deodorized Cocoa butter is available.  Unfortunately the supplier and Chocolate Alchemy are not working out, so this is only temporary.

Roasting

While roasting up my samples of the up coming Tanzanian cocoa (it's in - look for it over the weekend), I noticed how picture perfect it roasted up.  They went from a slightly rough surface to a nice smooth surface.  Just what you want to aim for.  Also, unlike coffee, note there is not really any color change.  It is virtually all texture.

If it isn't obvious, the roasted is on the left.

And, just to see the more in context, here they are just out of the Behmor.

  This time the roasted is on the right.  And for those that want to know, this was done on P1, 1 lb setting, 16:15 minutes on the Behmor.  2.25 lb roast size.

Oh, and to comment about the Behmor, the refurbished units, the waiting list, etc.  I have a stock of roasters in.  I am about 1/2 way through the waiting list.  I have plenty of parts.  Due to increased shipping costs, I am only offering for free either beans (coffee and cocoa) or a small grid drum.  Not both.

Related to when Behmors will be available again to everyone who wants one, I will be out of town from the 22nd to July 10 to handle my mom's estate.   No shipping or repairs during that time.  Limited email.  Very similar to when she actually died and I had to shut down.  Behmors should be available mid July.

Take care folks.

Back to normal

I am back from my mother's memorial service, and like is (mostly) back to normal.  All orders that have come in since we were closed should go out Monday.  Thank you again for all your understanding. So far, I like the results of the flat rate pricing for the Peru beans.  With that in mind, I have put up special for the month of May for Papua New Guinea.  Flat rate, at a reduced rate.   $8.95/lb regardless of quatity.  I hope you enjoy them and the price.

Refurbished Behmors will be available sometime this week.  Just keep an eye. I suspect demand to be high, so turn around time may lengthen a bit.  If it is too high, they may go temporarily out of stock just so I can keep up.  If you wish to be on a waiting list, feel free to let me know and I will be glad to queue you up.

Happy chocolate making.

The Good, the bad and the Ugly

I have another refurbished Behmor in less than pristine condition. The Good - no roasts on it except the one QC roast and I am offering it at a further discount. The Bad - UPS returned this on with their own special touch.  They banged the left side and door pretty well.  It is fully functional, but the door isn't super smooth (they cracked a plastic bit) but should not get worse.

The Ugly - I replaced the left panel, but the frame is still not 100% perfect and there are some scratches.

The last one like this went in about 30 minutes.  First come, first serve.  Enter UPSDENT in the discount code at checkout for a $25 discount making it $174.00 plus shipping.

Also, a new origin will be in this week.  A beautifully prepared Trinatario from Peru.  Reminds me a bit of the Panama (who's new crop will be in at the end of the month).

And Santha now has stock of Melangers again.  I am still waiting to hear what spare parts are available.

New beans and Behmor deals

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 few reasons.  Room, sales (lack there of), and better deals elsewhere that I just can't complete with.  But what I can do is this.  Refurbished are now coming with your choice of 2-4 lbs of cocoa or coffee so you can get a feel for the roasting process a little more stress free.  There is also a new smaller grid drum available that I am offering for free.  And, last but not least, I have dropped the shipping weight so shipping costs will also be less.  Just choose what combination you want and away you go.  Oh, and because I have had the question quite a bit, the small drum cylinder is meant for smaller coffee beans, not cocoa nibs.  The nibs still fall through too much.

Finally, on a first come, first serve basis, I have one Refurbished roaster that has a nasty dent on the front top.  It doesn't affect roasting at all - it just isn't pretty.  I don't feel right selling it for even the $199, so I am offering it up with a discount code.  At checkout, (last page), if you enter the Discount Code: DENT it will take $25 off the total.  Again, first come first serve.  If the code doesn't work, someone got to it before you.

Elections are over, but life goes on

Why do I write titles to these things?  Not really sure, except it is a field to fill in.  Oy, slave to the machine. But, the elections are indeed over, and regardless of who you voted for, we have a new President (elect).  I actually don't keep abreast of politics all that much.  Maybe a sin, maybe not.  I have heard all about the financial crisis we are in, and you know what?  In many ways, I can't say I notice it.  Business is a little slow, but by not listening about it every day (just don't have time for news news news) it seems to me I don't get sucked into thinking about it, don't feed it, and it just isn't that bad.

What in the world does that have to do with chocolate?  Business more like it and doing things we enjoy.  I want you to enjoy life.  I want you to do something you enjoy.  I want to help you do it.  In many places, you might be expecting me to 'spin' something really big about now.  Well, it isn't that big.  But it is something.

I am hoping to entice you just a little bit into getting into chocolate making.  I have looked over the books, and dropped a few prices here and there (I will tell you which ones later, right now you just have to look around).  I have also dropped the our overhead rate on shipping (the handling part), so for anything you buy, shipping will be less ($1-2 on average).  Over the next month I am going to look at a few other items and see what I can shave some off of (5-10%).  I am doing this mostly to convince you it isn't all doom and gloom and it is only as bad as you make it out to be.  You know me by now.  I do what feels right, and not always was is considered orthodox.  Oh well.

The biggest drop I have made is the one item I have the most sweat equity invested in, and so have to most wiggle room.  If you have been thinking about the Behmor, now is a good time.  My hands are tied on the new ones, but the refurbished ones I have dropped to $199 (OOHHHH, notice the subtle marketing, under $200, AAHHHH - sorry, couldn't resist) and reduced the shipping weight in half, so that is another $10-20 right there.

Oh, and for the holidays, we have added Gift Certificates.

The Ultra Melanger

Update: After a few final tests this weekend, I have finished up the review and photos. Pluses and minuses, but overall a good product.

So what is the same?

They have 110 V, 1/4 hp motors They refine in about the same time. They look a lot a like. The bowl is not dishwasher safe.

What is better?

Steel parts. Lighter wheels. Easier handling. 1 year warranty. In limited tests it seems to grinds nibs into liqueur a little better and faster. A little quieter

What is worse?

It is a little more expensive. The shaft has a small gap at the bottom that can trap unrefined chocolate (but scraps out ok). The half cover is a little awkward. You can’t taste the chocolate easily with it running. It flings chocolate a bit due to the cant of the wheels.

Do I like the Santha or Ultra better? You tell me. I am still undecided.

_________________

I want to give people a first look at the Ultra Melanger.  I will have more detailed pictures up over the weekend and will address any questions people have.  Right now, the biggest question I am getting is "Do you recommend the Ultra over the Santha?"  In a nutshell, no, I am not 'recommending' either above the other.  Both do the the job - both have their quirks.  I leave it to you to decide which is right for you.

All good

Ok, it appears the store, email, computer and other items of the modern age are back working ok (for the moment). E-mail seems a little slow, but there are no indications that anything was lost. Then again, how would I know I guess. If you have written over the weekend and not heard back, then most likely it was lost to the ether - drop me a line here to let me know and/or try again. And we received in the 1 oz bar molds, and sold out almost immediately. More should be in a couple weeks from now.

On a different note, we have begun to implement Shipping Notifications.  I am still getting used to the software interface.  Here are a few 'rules' to note.

1)  Tracking numbers will be supplied when UPS and UPS only is chosen.

2)  There will be no tracking numbers for USPS (part of the reason USPS is cheaper - less 'extras'), even International. 3)  Tracking numbers for drop shipped items will not be given in the Shipping notification.  Only that they order has been placed with the drop ship supplier (Melanger, Champion Juicer and Cocoa mill).

Enjoy.

Computers - Updated

Hi all. Through a number of really annoying coincidences, we are having computer "issues" all over the place. My apologies in advance if orders are a few days late. We have having intermittent computer interface connection problems, a computer power supply trying to die, an email system with download difficulties and them all occurring together. It's making the routine job of answering email (don't worry, none is being lost) and processing orders very trying and taking way longer than it should. Aside from that, due to popular request, we again have Deodorized cocoa butter available (at a raise price due to transport and fuel costs - it's everywhere isn't it). And yes, we are out of quite a few molds. Those will all be back in stock in a week or so.

UPDATE:

E-mail is back up, but UHG, it looks like both the retail and wholesale store is down.  Yet again, Believe it or Not, totally unrelated to the above issues.  No ETA at the moment for time back up.

Sorry folks - working on it.

New arrivals and other musings

The new cocoa beans from Madagascar and Ghana from Kuapa Kokoo have arrived and are available. At nearly the same time we have run out of the two lots of Conacado. I hope if you wanted to try the difference in each lot you got your chance and that it was illuminating how fermentation can affect the flavor profile. I have also decided to (temporarily) discontinue carrying the deodorized cocoa butter. The prices have just gone through the roof. If you or need a source, please let me know and I will be happy to offer it again, but over all, it simply did hold a candle to the Natural cocoa butter sales (like 20:1). Similarly, the next set of 2 oz bar molds will be a small test. Their price is about to go radically up. I am not sure why the supplier decide this mold would TRIPLE in price, but it has. They will be about $10 for the hobby grade and nearly $20 for the Professional grade. They are one of my favorite molds, but I will let sales dictate if they are kept around.

As for musing, I have a batch of Conacado (yes, I kept the last few pounds) milk chocolate going. I have been experimenting with using the Melanger to do all the grinding work. What I have found is if you melt the cocoa butter for your recipe (about 20% in this case) and start it in the Melanger, you can add all the well winnowed nibs (about, about 2 pounds) with nary a problem. They all went in within one minute are were all ground within about 20 minutes (not smooth, just flowing). A far cry from direct grinding them in small handfuls over the space of an hour. The flow was so vigorous that I went ahead and added the milk powder in immediately to keep the butter/nib mixture from spinning right out of the bowl! And here is something I want to look into some more. I happen to taste the sugarless mixture while scraping down the sides of the melanger. I was pleasantly surprised about how good it tasted. I know there is natural sugar in milk (lactose at about 42% dry weight), but even so. I can see now my next batch will be a sugarless milk chocolate experiment.

Finally, were have DVD's by the Chocolate Doctor back in stock.  We were out of stock of volumes 2 & 3 for a while.

Refurbished Behmors and new beans

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.

Hickory Smoked Bacon Chocolate

Did I get your attention? Ok, the new Papua New Guinea isn't quite like that, but it is the first thing I thought of when smelling the freshly roasted nibs after winnowing. Go check out the full review.We are also taking orders for the Spectra 20 and Spectra 40 Grinders. Please read about the Warranty before ordering. They should be in early next month. Your order will reserve you one but we will not charge your credit card until they ship. And please note, the Spectra 40 is 250 lbs and takes a freight deliverable address.

Finally, we now are offering a complete list of Spare Parts for the Alchemist's Stone Melanger. And we have had machined a set of metal hub and cap for the Melanger for those that want one that can handle heat and more pressure.

     

New Label and New Products

The first thing is that we are transitioning into some new labels. Will it affect the flavor of the product? Nope. Why do it? Well, it's been 5 years with basic labels, we finished our taxes (yeah, wild round of applause for all of you who did also), have decided will stay in business (like there was really any question) and simply wanted a new and sharper look. For a while you will see both labels as we work out logistics. For now, they will be on the new products. With that in mind, we have 3 new products. Two types of milk powder (Goat and Soy) and an Organic/Fair Trade Cane sugar. The Goat Milk Powder is a whole milk powder and from Meyenburg. The Soy Milk Powder is "Better than Milk". The Cane Sugar is from Wholesome Sweeteners. It is considered unrefined because refined and organic don't seem to play well together, but it has a very neutral flavor. I also have a very limited supply (about 20) of some very heavy duty commercial molds. They are what I am calling "Aztec" molds. 72 cavity 0.2 oz trapezoidal shapes. When they are gone, they are gone.

Finally, look for a couple new beans next month. A piquant and smoky Papua New Guinea and some Fair Trade Ghana again. And maybe (don't hold your breath, but do cross your fingers) some more Ocumare from Venezuela.

There are a couple of refurbished Behmors available for those who have been waiting.

Chocolate Making 101

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 information follow the links under Alchemist's Notebook to the right.

New Origin and Water FAQ

Every week I field questions about the necessity of the Melanger and whether the sugar can dissolved in "just a little" water to eliminate a step. Basically, you can't do that. Or more to the point, if you do, what you will end up with is not classic chocolate. This Water and Chocolate FAQ gives a bit more detail. Also, we have a new cocoa bean in and with it comes a new origin. We now have a full bodied, peppery, Fair trade certified bean (very important here) from the Ivory Coast. That's right - the infamous Ivory Coast. I refused to even taste Ivory Coast samples without a guarantee of the conditions of the harvest (meaning the workers). Being Fair Trade takes care of that. With that in place, this is a great time to taste a new origin and some different flavors. Go check out the Review.

Melangers and Shipping

The new Melangers are in and all back orders have been filled. Also, all the larger units (Spectra 20 and 40) have been sold. There will be more in around May. If you would like to reserve a unit (or more), please contact me via email. The Spectra 20 is $1000 and the Spectra 40 is $1600. Both prices include s/h for the 48 USA states. As for shipping, rates may look a little confusing for a bit. We are in the middle of implementing live UPS and USPS rates, so the choices may look odd until we fully implement. For instance you may have the following as a set of options: UPS Ground $7.85

USPS Flat rate $9.00

4-5 lbs $8.45

UPS 3 day Select $17.56

That  third one is our current system but would still ship UPS (unless you have a PO Box of course).  The others are real live rates.  Choose whatever you want (who am I to say you can't pay more in shipping if you want ).  One caveat and sincere request.  Please make sure your shipping address is correct.  We (the developer and I)  have found a bug that if you have a typo in your address (Cresthill vs Crest hill for instance) the software will return a lower than actual value (not sure why, that is why it is a bug).  If that happens you will see a double charge on your credit card when your order is shipped as the shipping amount is adjusted.

Also, on other caveat, I am leaving the various Rush shipping options available, but PLEASE contact me know if you need something fast.  Right now if you were to choose Next Day Air, I  would ship it Next Day Air BUT can NOT guarantee  it would go out the same or next business day - the 48-72 hour shipping rule of thumb still applies.  I will bend over backwards to TRY and get it out the next day (we never ship same day without notice - orders from the previous day are packed the day after they come in at the earliest) but communication is the key.  We don't get that many rush orders, but I thought you should be informed.

Melangers are in

The newest shipment of Melangers have arrived in port. They are available and we are taking orders but they won't ship until next week sometime due to back logs. And for those paying attention, Santha has requested that they be referred to as Spectra now. It's the same item. And look for more information about the Spectra 20's and 40's this weekend.

Update:

Both lots (2033 and 2404) of Dominican Republic Conacado are now available also, plus a small special where you can order a 1lb of each at a discount.