York Cocoa Works News

Welcome to our news, thoughts and experiences in the world of cocoa and chocolate.

This blog is brought to you by Sophie, our founder, as she shares more about our Chocolate making journey and reflections on the industry and our chocolate making vision.

Our story so far has been full of lots of insights into the world of our favourite product as we discover there's so much more to learn in order to build and shape a chocolate industry we can be proud of.

York Cocoa Works is our open chocolate manufactory as we endeavour to build an open, accessible and transparent chocolate making facility. We welcome your thoughts and input so together we can make better chocolate

YORK COCOA WORKS NEWS

Time to share what we've been up to
Jul 07, 2017
I'm really excited to share with you our plans to bring fine chocolate making back to York. We have just collected the keys this last week for our new property at 10 Castlegate where we will be creating York Cocoa Works. It will be a chocolate production, education and development centre in the heart of York, just yards from the spot where Henry Isaac Rowntree started his Cocoa, Chocolate and Chicory business in the old Tuke store.
We're ready to celebrate the New Year now!
Jan 20, 2016
We know it's far too late to be wishing a Happy New Year, but in...
2015 At York Cocoa House - Chocolate Awards & Wogan
Jan 01, 2015
2015 feels a challenge to imagine topping! We had some notable and very proud achievements...
2014 At York Cocoa House and getting out and around
Jan 01, 2015
2014 saw us put a major focus on creating all our own chocolates and celebrating...
2013 at York Cocoa House - A Dramatic Year!
Jan 01, 2014
2013 was an amazing year, with a great deal of pride we won the Visit...
2011 & 2012 at York Cocoa House - Back when it all began
Jan 01, 2013
We've been looking back at our old pictures of when we first discovered the building...

COCOA AND CHOCOLATE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Some of our thoughts and observations of the latest industry happenings
Is there such a thing as the "perfect" chocolate bar?
Aug 30, 2025
Did you see this news about the quest for “perfect” chocolate? For the thousands of...
Catch us on The Food Program
May 17, 2025
This Easter we were delighted to welcome BBC Masterchef personality Leyla Kazim exploring, unsurprisingly chocolate!  Leyla explored our chocolate making process at York Cocoa Works as well as the many chocolate celebrations taking place as part of York Chocolate Festival before heading on up the road to discover a chocolate brand that's been fully embracing the "Dubai" Chocolate bar craze! 
Building A Meaningful Business
Feb 25, 2025
Our journey has been everything but a straight road! Looking back on it makes a...

THE CHOCOLATE CULTRALIST

Exploring Chocolate heritage from York and other consuming influences
Chocolate Maker vs Chocolatier: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?
Jun 01, 2026
Chocolate maker and chocolatier are not the same thing — and understanding the difference changes how you think about every bar you eat. Here's what sets them apart, and why it matters.
Why York? The Geography of a Chocolate City
May 26, 2026
Of all the cities in Britain, why did York become the chocolate capital of the world? The answer lies in geography, trade, Quaker values, and the remarkable people who shaped a city — and an industry.
It’s not Terrys! It’s ours!!!
Jul 13, 2025
Many years ago I had a job to organise the factory closing party at the Terry’s Chocolate Factory - the owners wanted everyone to have been removed into the car park so they could lock the factory behind them so no one could steal or break things!

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