Cocoa Parlor

Laguna Niguel, California

This homey chocolate parlor has a deceptively tiny storefront that serves as a dispatch location for sending out huge amounts of organic chocolate bars. Perhaps you will find the product hidden beyond the entrance to be familiar? I have seen the simple brown wrappers amongst the quality treats stocked in boutique shops.

The minimalist artwork of cheerful line drawings that decorate the exterior of the chocolate bars are illustrated by the chocolate maker, Karen Webster, demonstrating her involvement in all aspects of the company.



Karen has a background as a pastry chef, but in time focused on chocolate. She has sought out sourcing single origin fermented chocolate from small, organic, fair trade farms in Peru and the Dominican Republic. Karen took two years to perfect the chocolate recipe, which has resulted in the current production of bars, truffles, and other treats that are entirely organic.

Richard was the gentleman working in the shop the day that I stopped in and he emphasized that everything in the store is organic, non- GMO, and soy free. Aside from some of the truffles that contain organic cream or milk, most of the chocolates are also vegan. Several of the cookie options are gluten free. Only the chocolate bars are sold outside of this little shop with the other treats necessitating a visit in person!

The truffle flavors that I found laid out in perfect rows during my visit included chocolate orange, raspberry, black seed curry, caramel jungle, peanut butter crunch, peanut butter milk chocolate, peanut butter dark chocolate, caramel milk chocolate, caramel dark chocolate, hazelnut, cappuccino, espresso, cinnamon latte, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and coconut.





Organic coffee and hot chocolate is also available with a little bar supplied with various additions provided to personalize any drink. Of course, these carefully lined up containers were also all organic. I was impressed that they provide such accommodations for the customer to personalize their experience of the  already excellent products.

The benefit of stopping into the store were the several chocolate bark flavors available in the case that are not sold anywhere else. The flavors on the day that I visited included cranberry hazelnut, cashew bark, almond bark, and goji berry hemp.
















Aside from the fantastic chocolate, the storefront boasts more than half a dozen different cookies with gluten free options available as well. Although the shop is just large enough for a bistro table, a couch, and coffee table for patrons, there is an assortment of treats is adequate to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The minimal shelves lining the walls are laden with high quality gift boxes and goods such as organic nuts and dried fruits.

Definitely give the Cocoa Parlor chocolate bars a try when you see them at a store, but if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Laguna Niguel, this is worth the stop! 

To allow you to judge if my critique is qualified at all, here are the chocolate makers (those that actually make the chocolate from the cacao beans) that I have visited and toured: 

Fresh Coast chocolate 
Pitch Dark Chocolate 

Ranger chocolate

Creo chocolate 

Dick Taylor chocolate 

Dude, sweet chocolate

Anandamide psychedelicatessen

Mast Brothers

Here are the chocolatiers (those who make confections from the chocolate that has come from a chocolate maker) and other notable chocolate and sweets shops that I have visited (and can remember): 

Jacques Torres Chocolate
L'Artisan du chocolat 
John Kelly Chocolates 

Marsatta fancy chocolates 

See's Candies

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates 

Compartes Chocolates

Essential Chocolate Desserts

Lady Chocolatt

Valerie Confections

Vosges Haut Chocolate 

Fran's Chocolates

Cocoabella Chocolates 
Sweet!

Hammonds Candies Factory

A Real Treat Candy Boutique

The Meadow 
Recchiuti Confections

Chocolopolis
Lolli and Pops
Sugarfina
K Chocolatier By Diane Kron
Edelweiss Chocolates 
ChocoVivo
Mignon Chocolate
Grom 
Teuscher Chocolates and Cafe