A Series of Behind-the-Scenes Videos

Welcome into our world of chocolate!

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We took Cory McCloskey behind the scenes of our (slightly expanded) micro chocolate factory this past summer.

Click the Heading above to see the 5 short video segments shot live on International Chocolate Day, July 7, 2022 (hence the super high temps on Cory's weather charts!).

For a deeper dive into our process, including how we press and use cocoa butter,  there's a 30 minute video by our friends at Foodies Who Fitness.

The Basics of Chocolate Tasting

Phoenix New Times review of our Talk, Taste & Tour Event

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Click the heading above to read the review...

"Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies." - John Q. Tullius

"Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list, put ‘eat chocolate’. Now, you'll get at least one thing done today." - Gina Hayes

"Chocolate is nature’s way of making up for Mondays." – Anonymous

Cacao Magic in 4 short videos from the Tropics

Farming, Fermentation, Drying, Quality Control

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These videos are a great introduction to all the magic and really, really hard work done by so many amazing people in the tropics.

Learn what has to happen before cocoa beans arrive at Zak's so we can turn them into chocolate for you to enjoy.

These awesome, short videos were produced by our primary partner in transparent trade, Uncommon Cacao

Artisanal Confectioners Raise The (Chocolate) Bar

Our Story featured in Garden & Health - January 2021

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"Zak’s is just one of a growing number of chocolate shops across the U.S. that both make 100 percent of their own chocolate and all of the cocoa beans used are ethically sourced.

Its products range from vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free single-origin dark chocolate bars to bonbons, truffles, and even a cocoa grilling rub." 

2022 Transparency Report - Uncommon Cacao

click heading above to learn more

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As you may know, especially if you've attended one of our events or engaged us in conversation at our shop, we pride ourselves on using only ethically, and transparantly-sourced cacao to craft our chocolate. 

Ethical, transparant sourcing encompasses many things, including certain environmental, economic and social standards relating to the farming activities and the people we buy cocoa beans from and through. 

But basically, it is about knowing where your food (in this case, chocolate) comes from, how it's made, how the land is treated and how all the people involved in the process handle mutual responsibilities.

Our longest-standing trade relationship, and one we are most proud of, is with a small group called Uncommon Cacao, a Ceritfied B Corporation. Each year, Uncommon Cacao publishes a Transparency Report that is full of great insights and information, yet is also a pretty easy read. We hope you will take some time to check it out. We'd love to hear what you learned and what you think.

Zak's Chocolate Featured on Golf Channel

Golf Advisor Round Trip program features Scottsdale Experiences

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We took the Golf Chanel behind-the-scenes in  a feature that originally aired in the Fall of 2018.

Unfortunately the video is no longer available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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