There I was, inhaling the scent of chocolate in the air, clutching my camera, staring at Lucie.
Lucie is an enrobing machine. As in, she enrobes ganache (or any other bonbon fillings) in melted dark chocolate.
She has 50 lbs of chocolate in her belly. Smooth, silky, luxurious dark chocolate that perfumes the room with the aroma of heaven.
Oh, I love Lucie.
I was at EH Chocolatier for a chocolate-making class, and you bet I had the biggest smile on my face.
EHCh0colatier is an artisanal chocolatier, crafting beautiful confections that in my opinion are considered works of art. Each product is handmade in small batches, with the owners/chocolate-makers paying extraordinary attention to detail. Owners Elaine Hsieh and Catharine Sweeney originally had successful careers in medicine and education, respectively, but took a giant leap of faith and oepened EHChocolatier in Somerville in 2010.
When people talk about following your heart, this is what they mean. And it’s hard not to feel Elaine and Catharine’s hearts in their products – each bonbon, bar, bark, mint, cluster, caramel, macaron is made with love and a great deal of care.
The night that we were there, we learned everything from the history of chocolate to making ganache, and a hands-on demonstration of dipping bonbons, all with plenty of chocolate-tasting in between. The kitchen is small and cozy, and Elaine and Catharine have wonderful energy between them that puts everyone at ease.
Disclaimer: I was invited to the chocolate making class and did not have to pay for it.
Here are some pictures from the chocolate making class I attended last week:
cocoa beans, cocoa pod, cocoa nibs
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different kinds of dark chocolate chips; a tasting of white chocolate, caramelized white chocolate (I went crazy for this!), and milk chocolate; ganache (Catharine added a little butter – I’ve never done that before but will certainly try that next time), and shaping the ganache with what looks like something I expect to find at an architect’s office
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Catharine spreading the ganache into a square; Elaine teaching my friend Megan how to dip the chocolates; spreading a thin layer of chocolate that will become the bottom of the bonbon; a dipped bonbon
more bonbons and confections for sampling
And of course, there’s Lucie:
even with 50 lbs of chocolate in her belly, Lucie is still on the petite side when compared to other chocolate machines
By the end of the night, we learned about different kinds of chocolate and how to temper, made our own bonbons, and sampled plenty of treats (I really, really liked the caramelized white chocolate). I had such a fun time, and I have even more admiration and respect for chocolatiers like Elaine and Catharine.
EHChocolatier also operates a monthly Chocolate Club, where you can receive a box of handcrafted artisan chocolates, plus a bag of confections (pecan bourbon clusters, chocolate covered toffees, unique candy bars) month after month. It is one of the best things to ever exist. (Read about my first experience with the chocolate club here.)
EHChocolatier products are found in specialty food shops across Boston. The factory is located in Somerville, but they ship nationally. I’ve tried plenty of their delightful chocolate and can personally vouch for the quality, freshness, and flavor. If you need to send a gift to someone, consider sending a box of their chocolates!
Welcome, I’m Bianca Garcia. I love food, yoga, running, shopping, and writing. I'm an advertising professional, social media enthusiast, blogger, freelance writer, and grad student. I think about dessert constantly. 
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What a wonderful, incredible experience. I would love to learn more about tempering chocolate – just can’t master that one! Those treats are beautiful. Great post!
Oh my gosh that looks like an incredible experience! I would love to do a chocolate making class like that! Isn’t it incredible how they make it look like works of art?!
Such a fun event!! I’m definitely going to have to order some of their chocolate soon. I’m already having withdrawals.
That looks like such a fun experience! Plus, everything looks totally delectable. Also, a chocolate club sounds like my kind of club!
I would LOVE 50 lbs of chocolate in MY belly!!! :)
Seriously, EHChocolatier sounds like such a delightful place – the samples and chocolates you have featured look amazing! My daughter and I attended a chocolate making/decorating class a few years ago – but the chocolates were pretty basic – I think it might have been because it was a class geared towards children. So…if you happen to go back to EHChocolatier, Bianca, please please ask them to move down to Atlanta :)
how cool is this..i need to look if there is anything around here.
This looks like so much fun!
This looks so awesome – I am pretty sure I would die to participate in a class like that. Definitely looks like you had a great and delicious time :)
What a neat event!!! I’d love to do something like that!!
I am so jealous, that looks like an absolute blast! Thanks for sharing :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
wow – what a lucky duck you are! These look jewels.
Bianca, this looks like so much fun. I wish the ladies lots of luck and success in their delicious venture. I always think I’d love to come back in my next life as a chocolatier…maybe taking a class like this is as close as I’ll get. ; )
Oh this just looks like too much fun! I don’t know if I could be trusted in a chocolate making class, I would eat everything in site : )
This sounds like so much fun! But I kinda want to go eat a bunch of chocolate now after looking at these pictures! haha
I am so insanely jealous. Omg…..just….chocolate heaven
What a fun class! Beautiful chocolates!
Wow, what fun! That is some beautiful looking chocolate!
That is such a fun class! I know so little about working with chocolate even though artisan chocolate treats are some of my favorites. Sounds like you learned a ton!
This was such a fun class. I love their chocolates so much!
What an awesome class to attend, with such great results :D
Delicious looking chocolates, so indulgent!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’m obviously missing a Lucie in my life!
I have to say I’m very jealous too.
This is definitely a bucket list for me.
I did their CSC during its inaugural season. Their chocolates are divine. This class looks incredible!
Oh my gosh, this looks like SO MUCH FUN!!