Chocolate maker or chocolatier? What’s the difference?

Most people will refer to us as chocolatiers… Then we have that awkward moment where we say “Chocolate Maker” and explain the difference. But does it matter and what is the difference?

We are a bean-to-bar chocolate maker. There is quite a substantial difference. 

Firstly, a chocolate maker is not better than a chocolatier, and vice versa. They are both very different in process and skill. Jeez, have you seen the artistry of some chocolatiers? 😱

Furthermore, the terms ‘chocolatier’ and ‘chocolate maker’ are thrown around somewhat loosely, and often used interchangeably. Yet, each is a separate entity within the chocolate industry. They are different types of artisans and play very different roles in the process of making chocolate as we know it.

So what is the actual difference between them?

A chocolatier is a person who makes those dipped, cream-filled, ganache, truffle confections that we all know. A chocolate maker is someone that makes chocolate from scratch. So, from the dried cacao beans, chocolate makers use specific equipment such as a roaster, grinder, refiner mill, conch and tempering machine. Think of it as, a chocolatier working with chocolate and a chocolate maker, making chocolate. To add a layer of confusion a chocolate maker can also be a chocolatier and make the truffles etc.  

There are many chocolatiers, yet there are very few chocolate makers as the process is complex, labour intensive and can be costly. Bean-to-bar chocolate makers require a lot of specialized knowledge of the raw ingredient to make their finished pure chocolate - usually in a bar form. Chocolatiers don’t make their own chocolate and instead use the pure chocolate made by chocolate makers when making their confections. 

As a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, we source, receive and process our cocoa beans in a 3-day process of making chocolate. We make natural blonde chocolate, matcha, 50% milk, dark chocolate, and some seasonal flavours that pop up once a year. 

Chocolatiers leave the purchasing of cocoa beans, roasting and grinding to the chocolate makers. 

We think chocolate made by a skilled chocolate maker is a thing of beauty! And we are so grateful that this is what we do every day.