NE Portland: Creo Chocolate Tour

 After meaning to for some time, we finally made it to Creo Chocolate to take their factory tour.

First of all, let me say that there is nothing wrong with just going to Creo to buy chocolate, possibly eating it there or maybe taking it home.

There is plenty to choose from, including many award-winners.

However, our tour included tasting fifteen types of chocolate, plus the chance to crack our own bean and sample the nibs, and to drink some cacao juice, so you may be able to make a more informed choice after the tour.

In addition, you will have made your own chocolate bar, and that may give you some insights into the process that inform your choices.

In addition, you will have learned a great deal about the growing of the beans, the processing, and the Creo business itself.

This may not match what a "tour" means in your mind, but those elements were present also.

There was equipment that we could watch processing, but while some of it is past the normal customer area, it is a small space, and you can see a lot without the tour.

The winnower is right by the door, with explanatory signage.

You learn so much more by listening to the presentation, including an appreciation of how much there is to learn. The passion for chocolate is clear, and perhaps already shared by you, but there is much more that is fascinating, beyond the samples.

But those samples were pretty good. Even the ones that might not be your favorites will still have something to appreciate. That is not just for the sheer flavor, but also for the information on the inspiration behind it, or the techniques of creating it.

Then, you walk away with a label you signed, saying "handcrafted" and designed by you. And it was.

We found the experience well worth the $25 dollar cost. You can sign up for your own chance to be a junior chocolate maker at https://creochocolate.com/pages/experiences.

COVID-19: Masks are required in the shop. It is also a place where people eat, and where people standing near each other eat samples. People were pretty good about just moving things around their masks.

In other ways it is probably cleaner than most experiences, with wiping down of surfaces, handwashing, and protective gear required.

ACCESSIBILITY: Although I do not remember any steps or anything like that, this is an older building and somewhat narrow, which could affect some mobility devices. The bigger issue may be standing around the counter for over an hour. However, the people were very kind, and I would not hesitate to ask them about any concerns.

https://creochocolate.com/