Orsolya D.
Yelp
The character of Charlie Bucket in Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is not the only one who jumps with glee at the thought of touring a chocolate factory. Let's be honest: most people, of any age, would savor the chance to see how chocolate is made, breathe in the sweet scent of warm brown liquid chocolate and sample some of the delectable treats. Did you know that this fantasy is a reality here in our very own Los Angeles? That's right! We have a chocolate factory AND you can tour the facilities!
LetterPress Chocolate is the baby of husband and wife team Cory and David. Cory and David had a passion for chocolate but also for graphic design (David) and the environment (Cory). The ingredients (pun!) were in place to get into the chocolate business and infuse it with individual niche skills and thus; LetterPress Chocolate was born in their APARTMENT where the lovely scent of chocolate delighted their neighbors but their landlord? Not so much and therefore they moved to a retail storefront. For the record, LetterPress Chocolate is a chocolate maker where they actually make chocolate versus a place like See's who is a chocolatier where they re-melt chocolate and add mix-ins to make bon bons, truffles, etc.
This factory and retail space can be accessed on Roberston near Mid City and Culver City in an unsuspecting strip plaza where one would think it is an actual printing press behind the brick walls versus a chocolate heaven (parking is available in front with street meters). LetterPress of course sells their chocolate bars in the storefront but also offers tours (online booking, $20/person) and this is where the fun begins! There is so much to do in LA; but touring a chocolate factory is certainly a unique and extra-special treasure that you didn't even know existed!
We were welcomed by the official tour guide Wesla (LetterPress is a three-person business! How impressive is that?!) and were lucky enough to have no other patrons booked for our tour slot so we instantly felt VIP. We were given masks and hairnets (tip: this is a fragrance-free tour so no perfume, ladies! Wear closed toe shoes, no stilettos, no fur, etc; and bring a jacket as it is chilly in the cooking area). The tour consists of three parts: 1) an i-Pad slide show describing the business and chocolate/cacao itself 2) tour of the facilities 3) chocolate sampling flight
The first part of the tour may sound like school work to you but it is absolutely fascinating and Wesla is a great teacher. There is SO much to learn - and you actually retain it! - about cacao, chocolate beans, trees, pollinating trees (midge flys do the work! Look them up!), the farmers and countries involved, the cost of wholesale purchasing and shipping (you will never want to eat Hershey's again!) and so much more. Additionally, you will learn about LetterPress as a business, their fair trade and environmental initiatives, their actual chocolate and even about their labeling/marketing! It's all very enlightening and extraordinary!
After the brain has grown some wrinkles from chocolate education; it is time for the tour. Granted the tour is small/short and more like a kitchen area than Willy Wonka's air hangar-sized compound but it is still super fun to see the process in action and what goes into making chocolate and chocolate bars.
Finally, you return to the storefront and it is time for a tasting flight of chocolate! LetterPress sells dark, milk and white chocolate (although white is technically not chocolate) and even ice cream; but the tasting on my tour consisted of 8 dark chocolate samples. Similar to wine or coffee beans; the country of origin of the chocolate pods gives the beans different flavors, notes, etc. My samples hailed from Costa Rica, Tanzania, Ecuador, Venezuela, Sao Tome, Peru and Jamaica with flavor notes ranging from peppery, nutty, floral, fruity, mocha, caramel, berries, spicy, fudgy, peanut butter-y and even banana! Once you complete your flight, you can also ask for any of the samples behind the counter! Everything I sampled was heavenly!
The entire experience is absolutely amazing and can be compared to a winery tour and wine tasting but with chocolate! This is an absolute hidden gem and activity suggested for all making a perfect date, supplement to other activities or just a learning experience. Even if they didn't offer tours; I would tell you to RUN to LetterPress and buy some chocolate not only because they are DELICIOUS but because this is a local business (selling worldwide!) that truly cares about doing good for the planet and people and they deserve support. Cory, David and Wesela are absolute gems. I cannot rave enough about LetterPress! Go check it out for yourself! Even if there are no oompa loompas...