Serah Harlingten, owner and chocolate maker at ChoccoLush, is redefining chocolate in Calgary with her bean-to-bar creations. ChoccoLush specializes in crafting high-quality chocolate using whole food ingredients and organic maple sugar, ensuring both a delicious and ethically sourced product. Harlingten’s passion for chocolate and desire to address the industry’s transparency issues led her to create a line of vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free chocolates. These treats cater to chocolate lovers and those with dietary restrictions, offering a creamy, rich cocoa experience without the guilt.
What is your business called and what does it do?
My business is called ChoccoLush and we make bean-to-bar chocolate with whole food ingredients and organic maple sugar.
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve always been obsessed with chocolate and recreating recipes to have added health benefits. I remember seeing a documentary about the problems within the chocolate industry and it motivated me to try and create my own chocolate from scratch. I wanted to know where the cacao beans came from and I also wanted chocolate with a lower amount of sugar added but maintained a super creamy chocolate with rich cocoa flavour.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
The lack of transparency in the chocolate industry is a big problem, so I wanted to be upfront about where my beans were sourced. Also, there was a lack of low-sugar bean-to-bar chocolate that was also plant-based. We use hazelnuts and cashews instead of dairy, and maple sugar instead of conventional sugar. Maple sugar retains some vitamins and minerals and adds a delicious creamy caramel flavour to the chocolate.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Anyone who loves chocolate! It’s also great for people living a vegan lifestyle or having food sensitivities. All of our chocolate is vegan, dairy and gluten-free.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We sell chocolate at markets, a couple of retail locations and on our website.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located at Greenbriar Market & Refillery, For Goodness Bake and certain Alt Hotel locations. We also sell on our website!
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
I would always ask where they source their chocolate and cacao beans. If they can tell you the specific farm as well, that’s a good indication that the cocoa farmers have been compensated fairly.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is hearing back from customers that they loved the chocolate, especially if they haven’t been able to eat chocolate in a long time due to allergies, that’s amazing for me!
The worst part is doing the dishes! There are so many dishes when making chocolate.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
That we eat chocolate all day, and that is usually true! I love to try different makers chocolate and I am snacking on our chocolate any time of day 🙂
Where can we follow you?
The best place is my website, www.choccolush.ca
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I’ve met a lot of amazing business owners in the last couple of years! But I definitely have to mention Greenbriar Market & Refillery (amazing store) Flave Print (amazing graphic designer) and Papusha Fitness (contact Oleh if you have fitness goals, he’s the best!).
