Valentine’s Day is over, and Mother’s Day and Easter are coming up. Friends, we’re in a chocolate-centric time and I just want to help you support local where you can.
Valentine’s Day is over and I hit some kind of sugar limit and see myself surrounded by Hershey’s hearts, Butterfingers, Reese’s and more, and as much as I like it (I’m not here to lie to you), it just all kind of tastes the same. With all of these chocolate-centric holidays, don’t forget about some great local businesses that can help you get the best-tasting gift.
Barkeater Chocolates (3235 NY-28, North Creek) – check out my most recent experience
“Barkeater, a Mohawk Indian term, is named after the mountains they belong to. Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks in North Creek New York – near the base of Gore Mountain ski area, FlavorWow™ gourmet chocolate truffles, bars, bark, peanut butter cups and caramels (and lots of other products) are handmade using a European process in small batches in a variety of explosive flavors. Since 2008, we’ve been the Southern Adirondacks source for the finest chocolates.”
Bittersweet Candy (173 Jay St, Schenectady) – check out my most recent experience
“the key to making any quality product is to start with quality ingredients. the chocolate company that i use has been around since the 1800’s and is certified fairtrade. every chocolate i make is small batch, one pound at a time. almost all of our packaging is made from recycled, 100% biodegradable materials. these are just a few of the reasons bittersweet candy is good for you and the world.”
TieBerry Sweets (Albany Shaker Road Loudonville)
“The Upstate Strawberry Concierge that provides customized fresh dipped fruit & sweets, also known as the Fancy Fruit. Providing carefully designed handcrafted, deliciously covered chocolate fruit that satisfy not just your cravings but your eyes as well”
Adirondack Chocolates (5680 NYS Route 86, Wilmington/ 2465 Main Street, Lake Placid)
“Adirondack Chocolates began in 1977 with the simple idea of creating handmade premium chocolates with the finest ingredients. For 39 years they have remained the preferred choice for chocolate lovers throughout the Adirondacks and beyond. What began as a simple, old time chocolate shop has blossomed into two retail locations, Wilmington, NY and Lake Placid, NY.”
Krause’s Candy (1609 Central Ave, Albany)
“People come from all over to enjoy Tom’s specialties like old fashioned peanut brittle, chocolate covered almond butter toffee, rich dark chocolate fudge and hundreds of other handmade treats. In fact, Krause’s had become so popular around Albany that Tom and his wife Ann decided to move to a bigger store in 1996. They expanded even more in 1999 with the addition of a brand new factory to better serve their ever increasing amount of loyal customers.”
Uncle Sam’s All-American Chocolate (2571 Albany Street, Schenectady/Newton Plaza- 594 New Loudon Road, Latham) – throwback to my most recent post about Uncle Sam’s
“We have used the same ingredients, products and recipes since the 1930s, and have only added new and exciting flavors and candies to our award-winning selection since them. The original Uncle Sams nut bark is still available yet we have added a few options like “Sea-Salted” Bark and “72% Cocoa” dark chocolate bark to the menu to reflect the times! We now have a full selection of truffles of which there are always 12 flavors and more depending on the holiday. We offer a full selection of caramels, creams, clusters, marshmallows, nougats, dipped items and more!”
Primo Botanica (200 Broadway, Troy) – check out my most recent experience
“WE DONATE 1% It’s our mission is to make chocolate that provides reparation to the land we inhabit. We believe that empowering people to own their own land + means of production is integral to the repair of other problems such as violence and climate change. In the craft chocolate world, there is a tendency to jump around from origin to origin without truly devoting efforts to improving any one community. This is why we have chosen to focus on North, Central + South American origins to source from.”
Smash Heart Box (435 Liberty St, Schenectady) – check out my most recent experience
“Breakable Chocolate Hearts. Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Geo Heart Cakesicles. Cookie Dough Cakesicles. Gummy Platters. Smash Hearts. Macarons. Chocolate Covered Oreos.”
![TOUR: Uncle Sam’s All-American Chocolate Factory [PHOTOS]](https://i0.wp.com/518bitesandsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img_6117.jpg?resize=760%2C400&ssl=1)
