Celebrate Maine with artisanal chocolate
Bon Bon Bouquet by Ragged Coast Chocolates. Photo courtesy of Ragged Coast Chocolates
This article was originally published in June 2018. It was last updated June 2023.
By Erin Covey-Smith
IT’S NO SECRET THAT MAINE does locally-sourced, farm-fresh food really well. The abundance of vibrant produce, herbs and provisions like cheese and honey make for indulgent feasting indeed. What better way to complement a delicious farm-to-table meal than with chocolate? The state’s talented artisanal confectioners craft chocolates that celebrate Maine flavors and use ingredients in inspiring, delectable ways.
The following chocolate shops and producers display a commitment to local, organic and/ or fair-trade ingredients in their high-quality, preservative-free treats. Take along your sweet tooth and be delighted by this decadent slant on the Maine food scene!
Not traveling to the areas where these producers are located? No fear! Many have distribution outlets around the state and all offer online ordering – check websites for details.
Southern Maine
Dean’s Sweets delightful buttercrunch. Photo: Melissa Mullen Photography
Dean’s Sweets, Portland
Featuring regionally harvested organic maple tapped in Madison; sea salt from coastal Marshfield on the caramels; cream from nearby Smiling Hill Farm; and butter from Kate’s Homemade, churned 20 miles south of their Portland location in Old Orchard Beach—to name just a few of the locally sourced ingredients. And for those with allergies (or aversions), Dean’s Sweets never includes nuts in any of their confections.
Tantalizer: The classic Maine sea salt caramel
Nibmor, Kennebunk
A women-owned company providing “better-for-you chocolate” including natural, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and fair trade products.
Tantalizer: The mint “Daily Dose of Dark,” a single-serve mini bar of 72% dark mint chocolate with crunchy cacao nibs
Chocolats Passion, Portland
www.chocolatspassion.com
A French chocolatier working out of Portland’s Fork Food Lab, an incubator for food start-ups, Chocolats Passion uses organic ingredients including cream, butter and citrus.
Tantalizer: Passionfruit vanilla chocolate
Harbor Candy Shop, Ogunquit
Included in their delectable offerings is a wide variety of vegan chocolates and truffles (made with soy milk), a portion of proceeds from which are donated to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Tantalizer: Vegan raspberry creme baskets
Ragged Coast Chocolates, Westbrook
Using locally-sourced ingredients, premium teas, organic, locally roasted coffee, and whole spices to flavor their confections. They source single origin, sustainably-grown chocolates from producers that treat their growers, harvesters and the land with respect. Also offering vegan varieties.
Tantalizer: The Maine Farm Market collection, with flavors like award-winning black currant, rhubarb and, of course, Maine blueberry
Central & Western
Wright Chocolate House, Limerick
Closed seasonally during the summer and reopens in fall. A traditional French chocolatier with a Maine twist— focusing on local ingredients including the cream and butter in the truffles.
Tantalizer: “Awanadjo,” a blueberry caramel nestled within dark chocolate blueberry ganache dipped in dark chocolate, drizzled in white chocolate and blueberry sugar
Midcoast
Bixby & Co., Rockland
Featuring “real food” candy bars, vegan chocolate, bean-to-bar chocolate, drinking chocolate, caramels and a seasonal line of Mother’s Day candies. This women-owned chocolatier is certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, Rainforest Alliance certified and blends ingredients like Maine sea salt and Maine blueberries into their confections.
Tantalizer: The “Heart’s Delight” Bixby bar, with dark chocolate, Ceylon cinnamon, strawberries and almonds
Island Candy Company, Orr’s Island
Uses exclusively Callebaut brand Belgian chocolate, which partners with Cocoa Horizons, supporting sustainable cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Tanzania.
Tantalizer: Chia seed bark with Merlot salt
Safe Harbor Confections, Waldoboro
Using the motto “better chocolate for a better world,” Safe Harbor is a mission-driven chocolate company that donates its profits to animal welfare organizations. They source local ingredients and are solar-assisted in all their domestic hot water and heating uses.
Tantalizer: “Hot Chocolate” dark chocolate bar with ghost pepper
Downeast
Sassafrass Chocolates, Mount Desert Island
www.facebook.com/sassafrasscatering
Organic fair-trade chocolate truffles produced by a farm-totable chef using local and home-grown ingredients.
Tantalizer: Cranberry-thyme truffle, with cranberries, thyme, red wine and orange zest
Snacks to satisfy that chocolate craving
There’s nothing like chocolate for a little pick-me-up, and these locally-produced snacks will keep you going on a long day and make your taste buds happy, too. Find them at local grocers and markets or order online.
Martha Bars: organic energy bars featuring peanut butter, almonds, honey and cranberries enrobed in dark chocolate. (Facebook page)
Mom’s Organic Munchies Choco-Fit Bars: gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free dark chocolate energy bars in Almond Sea Salt and Espresso flavors. (Website)
Alicia Bars: oatmeal bars offering Oatmeal/ Fudge, Oatmeal/Mint Fudge and Oatmeal/ Raspberry White Chocolate flavors. (Website)
