Celebrating a Sustainable Valentine's Day... the San Diego Way

Chuao Chocolatier Cafes
The Lumberyard
937 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Del Mar Highlands Shopping Center
3485 Del Mar Heights Rd., San Diego, CA 92130
University Towne Centre
4465 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92122

Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW) creates "unusual, unexpected and delicious flavors using their secret blend of premium chocolate and fresh natural ingredients."

GOOD: Not only is Chuao chocolate locally made (in North County), its founders, two brothers from Venezuela, are committed to social responsibility. They give to local charities, are working to lessen their environmental impact, and have founded the Aguasanta Growth Initiative, a program dedicated to cacao restoration. In Venezuela, the source of Chuao cacao, farmers are typically paid well and treated fairly. However, the highly prized Venezuelan cacao crop itself needs help. The goal of the Aguasanta Growth Initiative is to provide the tools, education, and support necessary to grow and care for this special plant in a way that will preserve it for many generations.
BAD: The price. Good stuff doesn't come cheap, but yikes.
RECOMMENDATIONS: If you visit one of the local Chocolate Cafes, order a Winter Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or Spicy Maya gelato (depending on the season), then take home a Firecracker bar as a fun gift. This chipotle caramel fudge truffle with popping candy, salt, and dark chocolate is a real conversation starter. Chuao chocolates can also be found all over the country at places like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Wegman's, and Crate & Barrel.

BOTTOM LINE: 5 Stars*****
This place is just plain awesome.

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