Some Of The Best Chocolate In The Country Is Here In Burlington, VT

If you’re a chocolate fan, Burlington has a chocolate factory you cannot miss. Lake Champlain Chocolates is a privately owned chocolate manufacturer, founded in 1983 by Jim Lampman. Jim owned a restaurant, and would order chocolates for his staff during the holidays. One day, the pastry chef let him know that he thought he could do better, and Jim took him up on the challenge. And so they say, Lake Champlain Chocolates was born.

Although they started small, Lake Champlain Chocolates now sells chocolate around the nation. You can find their wares in 2000 specialty chocolate stores, and they have three retail stores in Vermont, including the factory itself. They’ve even have started selling chocolate directly to consumers online, so you can order chocolate directly from your own home. Once you have a taste you’ll enjoy the convenience of getting more ordered straight to you!

There’s no better way to try their chocolates than by taking a tour of their factory. Back in 1998 they moved into a 24,000 square foot facility, where they make their chocolate to this day. The tour is free, and happens on the hour Monday through Friday. So you can drop in whenever it’s convenient, and watch chocolates being made right in front of your eyes. And of course, free samples are available as part of the tour. Depending on the season you might also catch a glimpse of some of their bigger creations. A giant easter bunny, perhaps? Or if you’re visiting in the New England Fall, you could catch a glimpse of a chocolate turkey somewhere in the factory.

Their chocolates have won regional and national acclaim, and have they have received accolades from the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Yankee magazine. They’ve also recently become fair trade certified, meaning that everyone, from the farmers, to the transporters, and to the chocolate makers, are treated and compensated fairly.

Whether you’re visiting or live in the area, Lake Champlain Chocolates is one of Burlington’s highlights, and an attraction that is worth seeing.

via http://michaelblanchard.benchmark.us/2013/11/22/some-of-the-best-chocolate-in-the-country-is-here-in-burlington-vt/