Travel the World in Chocolate

Travel the world with just a spoon and ice cream scoop. Get a flavor of the delicious variations countries around the world have to offer with Choctál. This gourmet single origin chocolate and vanilla company will take your tastebuds on a journey to eight countries around the world.

Nancy Hytone-Leb, one of the founders of Choctál gave us the inside scoop on the Pasadena-based company. Although they don’t have a storefront parlor, you can find Choctál all over the city.

Since moving here 11 years ago, Hytone-Leb says that the Pasadena food scene has become much hipper and there are many more options for dinners. “[It’s] the types of places that are moving into Old Pasadena and even to other areas we see Pasadena expand beyond Old Pasadena. We have much more new and interesting fare,” she said. Now is prime time for a gourmet ice cream experience.

Think of single origin ice cream like wine of coffee – by using cocoa and vanilla beans from one place, you can really taste the unique characteristics of the beans. “We’re trying to work with smaller farmers, smaller suppliers and then it’s much more, it’s a much better relationship and we feel that we can do more for them also,” said Hytone-Leb. Choctál works with farmers in 8 different countries and produces 4 chocolate and 4 vanilla ice creams.

In the future, Choctál plans to expand into more dessert territory. Hytone-Leb explains that they may soon make cocoa nibs or crunchy ice cream toppings. “I coined a new term in the food industry I think, I use the term “Ice Cream Accessory,” she said.

But getting back to the main course, the ice cream. Choctál’s ice creams are a world trip and not the budget-backpacking-through-the-Amazon kind but a luxurious, leisurely world tour.

The taste experience begins with the indulgent, fudgey, dark Ghana Chocolate and transitions to smooth, warm and slightly caramel-like Kalimantan Chocolate. Next, the Dominican Chocolate is a less intense but equally flavorful ice cream with hints of mocha. The chocolate tour ends with luscious Costa Rican Chocolate. Savor the flavors as they transition from intense and slightly bitter to sweeter and smoother chocolate.

Embark on the Vanilla tour starting with the classic, creamy Indonesian Vanilla and then travel to Madagascar with the smooth vanilla- speckled ice cream. Next, savor the intensely vanilla Papua New Guinea Vanilla with a notes of cherry and florals. Finish with the icy Mexican Vanilla with hints of cinnamon and a hint of coconut. Enjoy this tropical tour from indulgent creaminess to subtly spiced flavors.

So even if you can’t actually travel the world, grab a spoon and some friends, and savor your way around the globe. As Hytone-Leb said, “You can’t not eat ice cream and be happy.”

Look for Choctál in a store near you or check out their website and order online at www.choctal.com/index.php/shop.