If you are looking for the most flavourful and purest chocolate Britain has to offer, it's the bean-to-bar makers that you need to look at next. The UK has a small but growing group of avid chocolate enthusiasts who pride themselves of crafting exceptional tasting chocolate from scratch.
These chocolate champions do everything in-house from start to finish. They ethically sourcing sustainable cocoa beans, then roast, winnow, and conch the beans into smooth molten chocolate liquor. They temper the chocolate and mould it into bars before sealing them up in their individual packaging. In their spare time, you'll often find these chocolate wizards exhibiting at local food shows around the country.
It's a labour-intensive process but all that love, care, and attention comes out in the incredible flavours these artisan chocolate makers coax out of the beans. If you've never tried craft chocolate, you'll find my latest bean-to-bar chocolate reviews here to help you find the best bar to awaken your senses to how real chocolate ought to taste.
Britain’s Best Bean-To-Bar Chocolate Makers
This list is sorted alphabetically. To find your nearest chocolate shops and brands, click here.
Digital chocolate gift cards at NOMO°
Looking for a gift but not sure what they'd like? How about a digital NOMO gift card? Ideal as a last minute gift purchase, it can be spent across the NOMO range of vegan and free-from chocolate. With a variety of flavours and sizes, there's something for everyone. Have you seen thier nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free Hazelnot chocolate bar yet?
Save 20% on the NOMO chocolate range when you spend £35+ online. Exclusions apply. Use code SAVE20 at the checkout. Shop at NOMO°
Ends on Tuesday 31st December 2024. Terms and exclusions may apply. See website for details.
Save 15% on the NOMO chocolate range when you order online. Exclusions apply. Use code VEGAN15 at the checkout. Shop at NOMO°
Ends on Tuesday 31st December 2024. Terms and exclusions may apply. See website for details.
Hot Chocolate at Whittard of Chelsea°
Whittard of Chelsea may be famous for its tea selection, but it also boasts a sizeable coffee and hot chocolate range too. Drums of hot chocolate powder in a wide variety of flavours are available throughout the year. Keep an eye out for limited edition seasonal flavours that are only available for short periods. Gift sets are a great choice at Christmas or for birthday celebrations.
Hot Chocolate at Whittard of Chelsea°
Whittard of Chelsea may be famous for its tea selection, but it also boasts a sizeable coffee and hot chocolate range too. Drums of hot chocolate powder in a wide variety of flavours are available throughout the year. Keep an eye out for limited edition seasonal flavours that are only available for short periods. Gift sets are a great choice at Christmas or for birthday celebrations.
Harry Specters' Do Good, Feel Good Chocolate°
Harry Specters, a social enterprise, not only creates beautiful and tasty collections of chocolates for all occasions throughout the year, but it also offers jobs and training opportunities for people with autism. This is feel-good, do-good chocolate in action.
I've excluded supermarkets and franchise stores from this list. I urge you to support your local chocolate makers as many of them are crafting superb quality chocolate treats and gifts. I've listed bean to bar chocolate makers seperately. If you are a real chocolate fan, try a chocolate bar from your local craft chocolate maker and you'll be blown away by how different it tastes compared to mass-produced chocolate. I've also listed national chocolate chains seperately, and have defined a chain as a business that has at least two stores.
Disclaimer: Distances in this calculator are approximate and are listed as the crow flies (you know, the fastest way to get to chocolate). Online shops are normally open to place orders 24/7, subject to availability. For physical shops, check store opening hours before travelling to avoid disappointment.