Sometimes, just sometimes, dreams really do come true.
Sometimes, just sometimes, promises made between friends three years ago, promises uttered more with hope than complete conviction, promises that weren’t certain to ever become more than emailed whispers… sometimes such promises turn into shining reality.
Last week, in keeping with a dream of mine and long-ago-made promises of ours, Amber and I undertook a twelve-hour road trip (eight hours of which were spent driving, mind you) to visit the Askinosie Chocolate Factory and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mansfield home.
It was a magical day.
Having set off bright and early with travel mugs of stevia-sweetened hemp milk coffee by our sides, the drive to Springfield whooshed by in what felt like moments. (True friendship is living in each other’s pockets for two weeks straight yet still being able to talk non-stop for three hours [random outbursts about devil ghost river trees aside].)
When I first saw the Askinosie factory appear in my line of vision, five years after I first discovered its chocolate-y wonders as a student at UVA, I might have whooped a little.
Amber and I were greeted by Askinosie’s gorgeous and enthusiastic Mallory Roth as soon as we walked inside. I’ve tweeted with Mallory sporadically over the years and, when I’d earlier contacted her to mention my interest in popping by, she generously offered to give Amber and me a private guided tour (and tasting!) of Askinosie. Win!
Mallory showed and talked us through the entire chocolate-making process at Askinosie, detailing the company’s dedication to working directly with farmers by traveling to meet them and buy beans at their farms; ensuring the farmers share 10% of the net profits; importing, inspecting, roasting, and winnowing the beans; making the chocolate liquor as well as their own cocoa butter (Askinosie was the first chocolate maker in America to do the latter); supporting children and teens in the local community through the Chocolate University; and creating incredible, incredible chocolate.
I can think of no better or more knowledgeable ambassador for Askinosie than Mallory, who passionately conveyed the company’s spirit of enthusiasm and ethics (though I feel I should ask forgiveness for my constantly geeking out and interrupting Mallory with my own thoughts on Askinosie and chocolate in general).
Oh, that above, right there? That’s me in all my geeky chocolate joy, about to embark on the tasting part of the tour.
We got to taste all the things. ALL THE THINGS. It was heaven. Heaven I say! (And never you fear, I’ll be providing many chocolate reviews in future. Between what I bought and Askinosie’s generous bequeathal of samples, there is now much chocolate in my life.)
Did I mention that Askinosie makes its own undeoderised (i.e. it tastes like real chocolate) white chocolate with goat’s milk powder?
Or that Amber and I both wanted to dive into the enormous mixer of undulating melted white chocolate? Oh, dreams…
Not only did we get to try every single bar in Askinosie’s line-up, Mallory also opened a jar of chocolate hazelnut spread for us. It knocked Nutella out of the park with its intense hazelnut and rich chocolate flavour.
Hi Mallory! You are amazing! Thank you for your amazingness! And for Askinosie’s amazingness! Exclamation mark!
This is a photo of Amber (because she is very pretty) in front of the kilo tubs of dark chocolate that I desperately wanted to buy.
And this is the current line-up of Askinosie chocolate. I longed to buy everything but, after remembering that I am currently sans steady income, restricted myself to four different blocks.
With our hearts full of joy and our souls (and hands) brimming with chocolate, Amber and I smiled for the camera once more before skipping back to the car, jazzed up and ready for Part Two of The Road Trip Of Dreams.
To be continued…
That looks like the kind of place I would want to live. I mean, in the factory. I would want to live IN the factory.
I concur. Utterly and absolutely.
Wow. I am drooling. I think it was the swirling vat of white chocolate that did it for me. I don’t usually like the stuff, but theirs sounds incredible. And I see a licorice bar! I’m one of those awful people that likes licorice.
You two are both so purty!
All my life, I thought I hated licorice. But then a certain gelato in Florence swayed my heart, and now you can bet your awful liquorice-lovin’ booty that I bought a full bar of Askinosie’s creation and will be reviewing it in due course
And aw, thank you! Really, it’s just that Amber’s radiance shines out and encompasses me too at rare moments.
I have a pretty serious bone to pick with the career advisors of my high school. Absolutely no mention of the Chocolate University was uttered to me as a confused 17 year old. NONE! Imagine what I could have become. While eating chocolate, just imagine. I’m kinda glad you didn’t go down that path though…you’d be an unstoppable chocolate force, like King Midas but with chocolate instead of gold.
Oh, to be a Chocolate King Midas! I’d definitely have to come up with my own theme song. Like Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove.
An epic post for an epic day! I don’t have anything worthwhile to add – you covered it all, including all the talk about the farmers that’s hazy in my head because I was so earnestly eyeing the chocolate samples. And you threw in the word “bequeathal.” I can’t top this.
Do you know what I say to you? SMOOCHIES. That’s what I say.
Amazingness, amazingness. I want ALL the things too.
That sounds like the day of my dreams – I looooooove chocolate!
Here’s my jealous: [ ]
Here’s my totally, off-the-charts stoked for you: [ ]
Here’s my wishing I was there with you: [ ]
GODDAMMIT
my cleverly (i thought) constructed comment FAILED. just pretend i was really smart and funny up there, k?
I absolutely will! To me, it seems like your comment truly is clever, because there are so. many. possible. interpretations. for. your. brackets.
Also, dollface, I MISS YOU SO BAD. I MISS YOU SO SO BAD. BEFORE YOU CAME INTO MY LIFE. Wait, what? No. Not that.
But I do miss you.
Nofair! Just as I decide that we should probably fly from one side of the country to the other because time will be limited, you and Amber throw good coffee and chocolate in my face and give me every good reason to drive across instead! (I suspect it’s a good thing I have nearly two years to figure this out, it’ll take me all of it!!!)
Here’s the thing: it’s impossible to do ALL of America in one trip. This is my third major longish-term holiday here in the past five years, and I’ve only just made it to the midwest. But oh, how I long to do an epic roadtrip across the country one day! I just need to find someone to do it with, is all
P.S. I think that, instead of planning for two years, you should travel here for two years.
Oh, I know … we’ll end up narrowing it down, I just can’t see how at the moment. I’ve already convinced The Sparky that Vancouver and skiing in Canada will have to wait for its own trip.
I am lucky in that The Sparky is quite happy to do a mega road trip and drive and drive and drive if that’s what we decide to do, I just can’t see doing it in six weeks AND seeing more than just the road as we go …
P.S. If I didn’t have two dogs and a very sick cat to worry about I would consider it!
P.S. And, of course, the visa waiver only gives three months!
Eeeep! You know how sometimes people say ‘you can never go back?’ well you CAN. As you have just proven. This place looks just wonderful. And Amber’s tshirt (and smile) is adorable.
I am going to blame this on the late hour and the fact that I achieved only four hours of sleep last night… but I dinnae understand the reference in the context of me post! Explainery to me, my future spouse?
P.S. Yes, Amber is a looker indeed!
Wowowowow I’ve always wanted to visit a chocolate factory! hehehe it must have been heavenly!! Can’t wait to read more about their chocolate!!
WOW this will definitely be a dream come true for me too
Visiting a chocolate factory and having the chance to try it all wow! It’ll be so dangerous for me to go~ I’d eat so so so much of the chocolate hahaah
Well, it’s not like they let you eat *all* the chocolate! But they were pretty dark generous, I have to say
I’m on the edge of my seat. I so desperately want to see Laura’s house. The chocolate tour was fantastic but bring on Laura! xx
I love that you’re excited for Laura! We weren’t allowed to take photos inside her houses or the museum, but rest assured there’ll be a post
White goats milk chocolate? How do they make it white? I hope you found that out for me. (You both look gorgeous,too.)
I’m not sure I’ve correctly understood the gist of your question, but does specifying that it’s white chocolate made with goat’s milk powder answer you? And thank you Grandma! Happiness, friendship, and chocolate does wonders
Wow this seriously seems like a perfect day
So happy you got to go there after years of anticipation!
Beyond perfect. Can’t wait to write up Part Two
Awww I love that you went there and it was everything you wanted and more!
Even though I’m not as passionate about chocolate as you are, I still enjoy visiting chocolate factories. So much joy! Askinosie looks like a very nice one too, everything sounds very gourmet and delicious!
Except for the Cadbury factory, which was somewhat like a meeting ground for apathy and sadness.
A 12 hour road-trip in one day … glad I didn’t know about that before hand! Still this first part looks wonderful … I will now wait patiently for the next.
It was magnificent in all the ways. I’m truly grateful to Amber.
I’m sure it was and I’m sure you are!
What a cool experience!
I am sure if mallory ever decides to leave that you would do a great job as no 1 promoter of askinosie chocolate – sounds like a great tour – look forward to the review (am hoping the liquorice chocolate is in your stash) and to part 2
That’s very kind, Johanna, but truly my dream would be to be Mallory’s second in command. Or just her sidekick. Lackey? I could be a lackey.
You’ll definitely be seeing more of the licorice
Oh my goodness. Chocolate factory and Laura Ingalls Wilder on the same day?! I’m not sure if I’d have coped. Or, alternatively, I’m not sure if you’d have been able to get me home at the end of the day. Either way, it would have been magical indeed and I am so thrilled you got the day
I’m looking forward to part 2 already.
I didn’t really cope. I spent the day ricocheting between giddiness and on-the-verge-of-tears-ness.
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Holy f’in shenanigans, look at the size of that monster melanger. The amazing things that money buys, eh? Weeee-owwwww!
How was the malted chocolate? I’m curious about that one.
Tasted deliciously exactly like eating Milo straight, but better. WINNING.
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Wow, day of your dreams! What an incredible experience. I’ve only managed to lay my paws on Askinosie once or twice, but it was so delicious- I can well understand your excitement.
It used to be available in Canberra, but for an insane price. I’m so sad that I’ve already almost finished everything I bought!
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