What can be more exciting for your regular chocoholic than a new filling station opening? Saratoga Chocolates headed by Mary Loomas is now in the Joseph Schmidt former sanctuary at 3489 16th Street (with Maestro European Chocolatier’s blessings). It seems fitting, since Loomas follows the tradition of creating complex, mostly dark, cocoa forward bold truffles, never cloying, always flavorful, for a sophisticated palate. She adds a California twist to her Old World-style confections by using Clover (and other local) dairy, fresh fruit and various farmers’ market-bought ingredients as much as possible. Sea salt comes from the Pacific, strawberries from Gilroy, and apricots from Watsonville, for example, and thus a state flower – California poppy appears on her trademark dark chocolate-colored bags and boxes to send a message to the localvores out there. Be it a Meyer lemon white truffle, a Valencia orange dark one, a jasmine green tea or a mojito, each bursts with flavor and delights with freshness. Most of her creations, according to Loomas, have about two months shelf life, and are made with minimal amounts (about 5%) of invert sugar or corn syrup (some caramels). Her special wine-lover’s chocolates contain chili, cayenne, cinnamon and cloves, or chipotle to complement a glass of zin or cab. The company offers wine and chocolate pairing classes, where six students at a time pair together five wines and eight chocolates. (See, even math can be fun!) “Our Saratoga store will stay open,” said Loomas, but we will move our kitchen here, to San Francisco next year.” She also said that she plans to follow Joseph Schmidt’s renowned tradition of putting chocolate sculptures on display, especially around holidays. Saratoga Chocolates opened just in time for the upcoming Fall/Winter season, but if you need to create a holiday for yourself or your loved ones pronto, don’t wait until then. Accommodating staff, Mighty Leaf tea line, also sold here to make your gift complete, and a rich inventory that turns every three weeks or so are sure to please. Coming up: hot drinking chocolate will be served on premises. Also, buy a box of 6 or 12, eat all, keep the box, bring it back for a 10% off refill. Who would ask for anything more? Learn about Saratoga Chocolates and everything it has to offer at: www.saratogachocolates.com. Photography by Yuri Krasov.
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