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Award winning organic, bean to bar, and speciality craft chocolate from Edinburgh, Scotland

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FAQ

Here are some answers to the most popular questions we have been asked…

Is our chocolate fair trade

Yes! but No!! We do not carry fair-trade certification. The way we see it fair-trade is an acceptable low bar to set for mass produced chocolate.  Our organic 100g bars are made from agro-forestry grown cacao coming from cooperatives in Peru that are both organic and fair-trade certified, prices paid are at minimum fair-trade premiums. We visit the cooperatives annually and are certain that the organisations in Peru are committed to building communities and  are paying the extra fair-trade and organic premiums to the farmers regularly. Beyond paying premiums, when crises such as floods or COV-19 impact the farming communities, there is both practical and financial support from the co-ops to help farmers through.

When we buy speciality cacao from single origins for our bean to bar range, we are paying significantly higher than the fair-trade premiums. Typically speciality cacao is bought wet from the farmer, and after the wet to dry conversion has been done the farmers are receiving minimum $3.50 per kg. World market cocoa prices change dramatically and frequently depending on a number of factors. We are working to create a new model where farmers can be assured of a consistent and respectable price for their cacao, creating lasting equality throughout the supply chain.

In the beginning we decided on organic certification for Chocolate Tree, we looked into fair-trade certification back when we started in 2005 but basically we were operating out of a one bedroom flat on a shoestring and couldn’t afford the extra certification at the time. It’s a decision I am glad we made, as the fair-trade organisation particularly in cocoa has been under scrutiny for corruption and failure to get premiums to the farmers. There are several documentaries with evidence.

It has become clear to us over time that although fair-trade and organic certification schemes can add value to the supply chain, they can also become an obstacle. Our goal is to protect biodiversity and look after people, that won’t change. Just because a chocolate is not certified does not mean that it is either damaging to the environment or unethical,

Do we use Palm Oil

No. We don’t use palm oil (sustainable or otherwise) in any of our products.

Does our packaging contain plastic

All bars are made from a home compostable inner wrap and FSC certified outer card (Zero Plastic!). Almost all the packaging we make is create is free from plastic, but with a few exceptions such as the lids of our bonbon boxes, which are made from favourable PET-plastic  We are always on the lookout for new innovative packaging materials that are made responsibly and from sustainable natural resources. We will continue to do the right thing not because it’s popular, but because it’s the right thing to do. That’s why we didn’t get on the plastic free packaging train earlier on, as many of the materials being made were heavy weight and actually creating more emissions than plastic. Times have changed though, and the packaging industry is getting cleaner! Yay!

Is your chocolate gluten free

Yes! We don’t use any gluten in any of our products, although we occasionally eat a sandwich at lunch so our products are not certified gluten free.

Is our chocolate suitable for vegetarians 

Yes! All our chocolate is suitable for vegetarians

Is our chocolate suitable for vegans

Mostly!! We don’t use any weird hidden animal products. We do however use UK organic dairy in our milk and white chocolate and cream in our classic and caramel bonbons, we use a bit of honey too which we sometimes collect from our own beehives. But our dark chocolate is dairy free, and that’s most of our product line. If it doesn’t say it in the ingredients panel, then it’s not in there. As we do use dairy and various nuts in our factory, there will quite likely be traces, so if you have a severe lactose or nut allergy please take this risk into consideration.

Shelf Life

Most products, including all the chocolate bars and hot chocolates have 2 year shelf life from production, they don’t sit on our shelves for very long before they are on a retailers shelf. In some cases chocolate definitely improves with age (like a fine wine!) but not in the case of bonbons, which are best fresh. We don’t use any added preservatives, Friederike has maximised their natural shelf life by creating technical recipes that keep the ingredients pure and don’t compromise the quality.  The bonbons are being made fresh in our factory every week, they will typically arrive with 4 to 5 weeks until their best before date, caramels a  couple weeks longer.

Where do we source our cacao

Almost entirely South America, mainly Peru, but also Belize and Mexico. For more info check out our cacao sourcing page

Our shipping options

During checkout the option to have a paid delivery won’t disappear when you reach the threshold for free delivery! You can however select from various different options such as Isle of Man or the Highlands. We needed to put these options in because we have plenty of orders coming in from the Highlands and our courier charges us considerably higher for these. Please choose the appropriate shipping option for your address at checkout. There is no difference between the paid for courier service and the free one if you reach the threshold for UK mainland, select the free one.

What is the Shipping time

We typically ship out the day after an order arrives and it will go an overnight (UK mainland only) service which operates Monday to Friday. We don’t do weekend deliveries. Overseas or highlands orders going with the post office may take a few extra days as we have to physically visit the post office with the parcels, this happens at least twice a week.

I can’t select my destination at checkout

That’s because we don’t ship to your destination, sorry. We found that some destinations were just too tricky or expensive to ship too. If it’s really important to get our chocolate to and you don’t have a local alternative, then write to us we’ll do our best for you.

I am in a different country from the shipping address and my PayPal / Card won’t work

Get in touch, we can issue you an invoice and take card payment from a link.

What’s your Refund / Replace policy

If you are not happy with our products or service for any reason please let us know, we love the feedback and it helps us improve. Provided you have a good reason to request a refund or replacement we’ll get it sorted.

Do you offer a subscriptions

Not yet! We are working on it for 2021! Check back then…

Can I have free chocolate

No. Well,  maybe. Why do you want free chocolate? Are you going to do something really cool with it? We get quite a few requests from people asking to sample our chocolate before they order online. If you have a good cause drop us a line, we’ll consider it but nearly all of our donations are focused supporting environmental organisations via 1% for the planet.

I want to stock your chocolate in my shop

Great! Drop us a line on trade@choctree.co.uk and tell us more about your business.

I am in here in (…..) where is my closest stockist

Because we use distributors it’s hard to know exactly where all the stockists are! Our chocolate goes out all over the world. If it’s not in your local, then ask them to get in touch with us. If you write to us we’ll do our best to find out for you 🙂

Instagram

Merry Christmas 🎄❤💯 With gratitude to ev Merry Christmas 🎄❤💯 

With gratitude to everyone supporting and enjoying good chocolate this holiday, thank you 🙌

Looking through pics from these busy past few weeks and selected this one - just a nice morning with the sun coming through the factory windows catching the smoke from the freshly roasted cacao. Behind the orange & whisky centres getting ready to be enrobed in chocolate. The image captures a moment in artisanal chocolate neatly. It's been a real pleasure and we are so grateful to be able to do what we love in these challenging times. 💯🍫❤

#merrychristmas2020 #choctree #followyourdreams #craftchocolate  #beantobonbon
Nearly Christmas folks! We are shipping out last m Nearly Christmas folks! We are shipping out last minute UK mainland online orders until Tuesday, but let's also get out on to the high street safely and support the independant retailers out there. If local to Edinburgh you can buy our artisan chocolates from the @the_maytree (previously ChocTree)🍫💯❤🎅 

#christmasshopping #choctree #christmas2020 #independentretailer #cacaolove
Thanks to everyone ordering online for Christmas 🎅🎁😀 This weekend our little packing room has been a flurry of cardboard & tissue as we ship out chocolate across the globe. If you're order is taking a little longer than usual don't worry we are probably just finishing an item or two in the kitchen and we'll be shipping soon. Freshly produced chocolate is on the way 💯🍫❤

#choctree #christmas2020 #craftchocolate #beantobonbon
Happy Advent!! Starting with a 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 delight, The Cranachan! White choc, raspberries, pinhead Scottish oats & a wee drop of single malt whisky 🥃 

Counting the days until Christmas now... If you've ordered online and are waiting please stay patient we are making and packing chocolates at full steam to ensure everyone's order will make it in time. 🎅🌲☃️🎁 Please allow 7+ days for UK delivery!

#christmas2020 #choctree #busybee #advent #craftchocolate #staycalm
We have been very very busy, following a feature b We have been very very busy, following a feature broadcast on @zdfmediathek in Germany last week. Friederike has made over 16000 artsian chocolates since the show 🎖🎖🎖 But.. Our website sales have increased so much that it's taking us 7+ days to dispatch orders, so please keep that in mind if ordering online. We are A small team and managing the demand (prioritising advent calendars) We will dispatch all orders in time for Christmas! 

It's Ali's 40th birthday tomorrow so we are turning off the wifi and heading out to nature for a couple of days to recover before coming back full steam on Monday! Please allow time for email replies, we will get your chocolate to you 💯🍫❤

We Love your enthusiasm for our chocolate. Thank you 🙌❤

#christmas2020 #blackfriday #choctree
The 2020 Christmas selection is now available onli The 2020 Christmas selection is now available online 🎉🎉🎉 As beautiful as they are tasty, these chocolates will help us to make this years Christmas at home extra special. 

Orange & Whisky
Christmas Cake
Mulled Wine
Rose & Cardamom
Gingerbread
Cinnamon Star
Roast Chestnut
Cherry Brandy

All our chocolates are made by hand using truly artisanal technique and high quality ethical organic ingredients by Friederike our head chocolatier. These are limited edition so only available while stocks last 🎅🎁💯❤

www.choctree.co.uk
And here it is!!! 🤩 A beautiful keepsake chocol And here it is!!! 🤩 A beautiful keepsake chocolate advent calendar with 25 unique compartments & 25 unique artisanal chocolates. Made from single origin directly traded organic bean to bar chocolate, available this year only directly from us online (link in bio).

If you are part of a business that would like to gift your staff or clients something that is not only stunning but ethical and environmental this Christmas, why not get in touch and see what we can offer! 🎅

All our chocolate is sourced fairly and from agroforestry farms that support increased biodiversity, we are a proud member of 1% for the planet 🌎❤
We are so excited to announce our first ever Adven We are so excited to announce our first ever Advent Calendar for Christmas 2020, it will be available any day now!  This feels like a year to make home special and the one of these advent calendars will help to do just that. The intricate card design (pic coming soon!) will is not only beautiful but plastic free and durable, it will make a lovely keepsake to refill in following years 🎅🌲🌟 

Includuing dark, milk and white chocolates with ganache, caramels, jellies, pralines and quite a few vegan friendly chocolates too!

Watch this space... Available online now for pre-purchase at www.choctree.co.uk Shipping from next week 📦🌎❤
A Chocolate Factory Halloween! 🎃 We couldn't r A Chocolate Factory Halloween! 🎃

We couldn't resist, swipe to meet our fabulous team 🤩🤩🤩 ... Featuring Friederike as the Mad Hatter, Jen as Willy Wonka, Tunde as an Oompa Loompa and Emma as Violet Beauregarde!! Aren't they incredible???

Have a great night & stay safe 🧛💯❤

#choctree #chocolatefactory #halloween2020 #madhatter #willywonka
Friederike and Gaia! 🌎 Our new @chocolate_machi Friederike and Gaia! 🌎 Our new @chocolate_machines mill for turning cacao & sugar into... chocolate!  Over weekend we got to work and tested out @sierra_organics cacao with beautiful results 🍫❤🍫❤ Gaia will help us keep up with all these orders!!! 🙌🌎 

#chocolatemachine #craftchocolate #choctree #chocolate #cacaolove
Box of 9 limited edition Raspberry and Salted Cara Box of 9 limited edition Raspberry and Salted Caramel Skulls for Halloween 2020 🎃💀🎃💀🎃💀 Each skull has 2 parts of oozing gooey goodness, one part raspberry caramel and the other salted caramel. 70% dark chocolate from Peruvian organic agroforestry cacao.

Available online now & we ship international!
www.choctree.co.uk

#choctree #halloween2020 #craftchocolate #caramel #sweet
Autum's here, time to mix in some spice.

 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁 #cacaolove #autumn #choctree #aztecspice #craftchocolate
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What you've been saying

Thank you for your wonderful chocolate, we’ve really enjoyed everything we’ve been purchasing from your on-line shop.

— Alana Lawson

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1% for the Planet

Chocolate Tree is a proud member of 1% for the Planet. We take responsibility for the health of our planet by donating 1% of our annual sales to environmental nonprofits creating positive change.

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