+ What is The App About?

It’s a map that connects you to bean-to-bar chocolate makers worldwide, that is, those who make chocolate from the cocoa bean into the final product.

It includes mostly bean to bar makers, but also cacao growers or distributors, craft chocolate retailers and subscription services, researchers, events, equipment manufacturers, and other related businesses!

+ Why was it created?

To showcase and support bean to bar entrepreneurs, and encourage the craft of fine chocolate making.

Use it to find makers in your area you may have never heard of, or to find makers in places you will be visiting.

I created this because it is a huge challenge for craft bean to bar chocolate makers to reach the market, and an equally huge challenge for consumers to find them even when looking for it. That all changed with the app here. Easy to access and easy to use!

+ Who Created it?

It was originally created as an online interactive map in early 2017 under my other website Chocolate With Geoseph. From there, this successful map was launched into an App in early 2020, and it has been a hit ever since!

If you see other versions of similar maps online (with the same categories), these maps have no connection to my original map or the app. The map being as wonderful as it is has been often duplicated, but never replicated! As it's been said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

+ How is it funded?

This app and website are funded solely through my own means. I do it for free because I believe in the mission of supporting those tied to producing fine chocolate. On occasion I do get support through the generous donations from the public through the donation link on this website. Thank you to all those who have helped along the way!

I take absolutely no money from any third party agency, affiliates, industry organization, nada, zip! If you want to support the app and website, please make a donation (see bottom of your screen) or purchase items from our online shop.

+ How Can I Help? Can I Donate?

You can help by sharing and promoting the bean to bar world map and app, sharing it with your customers if you are a business, or with your friends and family. That would help not only me, but every bean to bar entrepreneur connected with the app!

If you would like to donate to help keep this map running and growing, please do so at the bottom of the page. Any amount will be greatly appreciated!

We don't ask businesses for money to be added, nor do we ask money from anyone to access this incredible app or free academy. If you appreciate these tools, please consider donating. Thank you.

+ Does the app rate businesses or chocolate?

No. Although some may enjoy reading reviews or find them helpful, I work under the premise of informed decisions. It would benefit you most to come to your own conclusions about which chocolate is best by checking out the businesses and tasting their products for yourself.

There is a ton of information on this website to help guide you, tools in the online shop, or you can even book virtual lessons with me to guide you to becoming your own chocolate connoisseur.

+ Does the app collect any information from its users?

No. It does use a GPS locator, but you have the option to decline it. It offers this feature so that the map will open to businesses in your location first.

Other than that, I do not personally collect any other information from you through the app. I will never contact you or ask you for any personal information, nor personally track anything you do on the app.

+ Are these makers and businesses fair trade and use organic ingredients?

Nearly all makers on the app are using ethical ingredients, and organic when possible. That's one benefit of purchasing from fine chocolate entrepreneurs. They focus on sourcing fine quality cacao, which comes at a price. That price often reflects not only the quality of the cacao, but also the fair trade relationships between the makers/cacao distributors and the cacao producers.

Bars and makers may not be certified fair trade or organic, but that doesn't mean they are not practising fair trade or sourcing high quality ingredients. There are many, often much larger, businesses that highlight their certifications, but lack the quality or the transparency these smaller fine chocolate entrepreneurs have. Some small-scale makers purchase directly from family run cacao farms (who have no capacity to pay for certification either), and pay them a premium price for their high quality cacao. There is nothing but transparency here.

When in doubt, ask your maker! It's nearly impossible today to source high quality cacao today without engaging in fair trade practices. But I encourage you to find quality makers whose chocolate you enjoy, ask for yourself, and make decisions based on that.

Encouraging third parties, whether good intentioned or not, to do the thinking for you is not something I will encourage. Certifications may be helpful in some instances, but also encourage us as consumers to be lazy and put faith in certification businesses that may not have the same values as us.

What are your values in regards to fair trade and organic chocolate? Do they match up with the makers you purchase from? I encourage you to ask questions and make your own decisions!

+ What Is Bean To Bar Chocolate?

Simply put, "bean to bar" is a term to describe chocolate made from scratch, that is, from the bean to the finished product. Similar to coffee shops that source, roast, and brew their own coffee. Some bean to bar makers even grow their own cacao!

"Bean To Bar" is also becoming synonyms with "craft/artisan" chocolate makers. That is, small-scale entrepreneurs who make their own chocolate from scratch, like an artisan bakery.

This is also becoming synonymous with the ideas of fair trade and high quality cacao & chocolate. You will see many self-proclaimed bean to bar makers also promoting ethical, fairly traded cacao and high quality, aromatic cacao much different than what's available on most grocery store shelves.

To learn more, click here.

+ What Can Be Added To The App?

Great question. This map is mostly bean to bar chocolate makers, but I highly encourage other bean to bar related companies such as:

Cacao growers or cacao distributors Bean to bar retailers and subscriptions Cacao and chocolate making equipment manufacturers Events (public shows, conventions, meetups) Other businesses that specifically revolve around bean to bar chocolate Growing list of Chocolate related Researchers

+ Is The App Free To Use?

Yes! Whether you want to use the map, or add to the map, it's completely free.

If you wish to add, all you need to do is request to be added, and if you fit the criteria, you will be added.

+ Who Can Add To The Map?

Anyone! Whether you own the business, or know of a business you love and want to see on the map, all you have to do is request it on the add/edit page.

I will look over the details to ensure it meets the criteria, and I may reach out to ask for more information.

+ Are you affiliated with any other third party business or organization?

The Bean To Bar World website and app are not associated with any third party. Proudly independently created and run.

The bean to bar world app is first of its kind, and was developed by the very first all encompassing bean to bar map. You may come across similar maps with similar categories, but these are imitations.