Theo Chocolate is one of my favorite Fremont businesses. In addition to having a sweet storefront, they also offer factory tours. They recently refreshed the Theo Factory Experience and my Seattle Foodie Podcast co-host Nelson Lau and I had a chance to visit. For just $12 per person, you can learn everything you wanted to know about Theo’s production and taste your way to chocolate heaven! The tour takes about an hour and I recommend reading Theo’s Factory Experience FAQ.

I learned a lot but I’m not going to give it all away. I can tell you that I am a chocolate noob so learning everything from bean to bar is fascinating! Aaron was our tour guide and we started with the history and science of chocolate. Ever want to know how cocoa beans are sourced? Why organic and fair trade practices are important? Mysteries will be solved!

If you’re a chocolate fan, prepare for delicious samples! I love chocolate but rarely savor it. This experience taught me a lot about tasting notes and about myself as well in terms of articulating what I like.

Theo makes chocolate onsite and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see production but please be aware that their production schedule varies.

I hadn’t been to the previous tour but I’m told that the increased use of technology and visual elements including larger screens, graphics, and props are some of the improvements.

Overall, I think a factory tour is great for locals or tourists. It’s a fun, low-cost way to get out and experience something different. I appreciated learning how the magic gets into treats like my favorite Big Daddy. Thanks to Theo for hosting the tour and for broadening my horizons!