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"It is dark as the AlChemist walks along the corridor, rough stone under his feet, air warmed from well smoldering hearth fires stirring his cowl. He opens a hewn timber door, worn smooth at the threshold over years of use. He breaths deeply the comforting smells of this laboratory. Hints of wood and smoke linger in the air from the last time he roasted raw materials for his elixirs. Another smell, heady and almost intoxicating, brings a smile to his face as he remembers the smell wafting up as he was last grinding his pastes and powders. He looks about. Everything is in place. The roasting drum is cool in the hearth. The mortars and pestles are laid out neat and tidy, only a small amount of deep brown paste marring their finish. The cracking mill is sitting ready, waiting for the next batch to be crushed fresh out of the roaster. It is time to begin his magic, his devotion, his passion, his Alchemy, yet again. He prepares himself for the work ahead. The roasting, the cracking, the winnowing, the grinding, the mixing. The transformation of base materials into something more than they were. The transformation of cocoa beans to chocolate, the work of Chocolate Alchemy."
868904 visits and counting.
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Elections are over, but life goes on
November 5th, 2008
Why do I write titles to these things? Not really sure, except it is a field to fill in. Oy, slave to the machine.But, the elections are indeed over, and regardless of who you voted for, we have a new President (elect). I actually don’t keep abreast of politics all that much. Maybe a sin, maybe not. I have heard all about the financial crisis we are in, and you know what? In many ways, I can’t say I notice it. Business is a little slow, but by not listening about it every day (just don’t have time for news news news) it seems to me I don’t get sucked into thinking about it, don’t feed it, and it just isn’t that bad.What in the world does that have to do with chocolate? Business more like it and doing things we enjoy. I want you to enjoy life. I want you to do something you enjoy. I want to help you do it. In many places, you might be expecting me to ’spin’ something really big about now. Well, it isn’t that big. But it is something.I am hoping to entice you just a little bit into getting into chocolate making. I have looked over the books, and dropped a few prices here and there (I will tell you which ones later, right now you just have to look around). I have also dropped the our overhead rate on shipping (the handling part), so for anything you buy, shipping will be less ($1-2 on average). Over the next month I am going to look at a few other items and see what I can shave some off of (5-10%). I am doing this mostly to convince you it isn’t all doom and gloom and it is only as bad as you make it out to be. You know me by now. I do what feels right, and not always was is considered orthodox. Oh well.The biggest drop I have made is the one item I have the most sweat equity invested in, and so have to most wiggle room. If you have been thinking about the Behmor, now is a good time. My hands are tied on the new ones, but the refurbished ones I have dropped to $199 (OOHHHH, notice the subtle marketing, under $200, AAHHHH - sorry, couldn’t resist) and reduced the shipping weight in half, so that is another $10-20 right there.Oh, and for the holidays, we have added Gift Certificates.
Filed under: Products, What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Mussings | No Comments »
The Ultra Melanger
October 31st, 2008
Update: After a few final tests this weekend, I have finished up the review and photos. Pluses and minuses, but overall a good product.  So what is the same?They have 110 V, 1/4 hp motorsThey refine in about the same time.They look a lot a like.The bowl is not dishwasher safe.What is better?Steel parts.Lighter wheels.Easier handling.1 year warranty.In limited tests it seems to grinds nibs into liqueur a little better and faster.A little quieterWhat is worse?It is a little more expensive.The shaft has a small gap at the bottom that can trap unrefined chocolate (but scraps out ok).The half cover is a little awkward.You can’t taste the chocolate easily with it running.It flings chocolate a bit due to the cant of the wheels.Do I like the Santha or Ultra better? You tell me. I am still undecided._________________I want to give people a first look at the Ultra Melanger. I will have more detailed pictures up over the weekend and will address any questions people have. Right now, the biggest question I am getting is “Do you recommend the Ultra over the Santha?” In a nutshell, no, I am not ‘recommending’ either above the other. Both do the the job - both have their quirks. I leave it to you to decide which is right for you.
Filed under: Products, Refining & Conching, What's new & Updates | 2 Comments »
Back, open and caught up
October 27th, 2008
That about says it all. I am back from my trip. It went well. I am a bit jet lagged, but orders are all caught up and out. Likewise, I think I have answered all emails. If you did not recieve an answer to one, plus nudge me as I somehow overlooked it.That’s it for now. Something of a little more substance later in the week.
Filed under: What's new & Updates | No Comments »
Closing for a trip
October 13th, 2008
We will be closed from October 16 - October 24. I will be traveling in China during that time. I will not be checking email, orders, correspondence, etc during that time. I will be leaving the shopping cart and store on, but obviously, shipping will not resume until the week of the 27 th.On a different front, Penelope (my partner) had a follow up MRI for her cancer and there are no new problems. Healing is underway and the tumors are shrinking well, although medication side effects are ‘fun’.And on the chocolate front, when I get back, I will be offering up a new Melanger for sale. Ultra has noted what Santha has been doing and offered to send me a modified one for evaluation. It has a few quirks and differences, but nothing that would keep me from offering it. It will retail or $399 but will come with a 1 year warranty and a metal center hub. Not to be out done (not that they knew), Santha will be offering metal hubs on the next shipment of Melangers (plus a higher price tag, about to the $399 range).That’s all for now. Catch you on the flip side of my trip.
Filed under: What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Mussings | 1 Comment »
Returning to normal
August 26th, 2008
Well, that may be a little exaggeration, but maybe not. It isn’t normal yet, but we are getting there. I want to thank everyone who has written, called, and sent their good wishes and blessings. Penelope is do well so far. Orders are now caught up. Many people said they would withhold orders until we were better set. We are pretty much there. I expect turn-around times to remain just a little long, but nothing like they were the past month.On the cocoa front, I have added a few beans onto the Wholesale side, will be adding the FT Ghana very soon, and the larger Melangers are in and available. There is will a hiatus on these and the Alchemist Stone Melangers starting the week of September 8 and lasting about a month. If you want one, now is the time to get it. Santha will be closed during that time and no shipping will occur for these, and knowing Santha, I would not be surprised if it is November before they ship again.
Filed under: What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Mussings | 2 Comments »
Gamma Knife
August 7th, 2008
I want to thank everyone for all the emails, comments, notes of support and complete understanding of our situation here. It is appreciated more than words can say. Penelope is doing well.We have been away for 2+ days now at the Gamma knife Center for treatment. The actual treatment was very short and all went according to plan, so we are very positive and happy about that. The treatment with the Gamma Knife was amazing. Alchemy in it’s own way. The people there were even more amazing with their care and real caring.I don’t see myself getting to any orders until this weekend. I need to tie up loose ends, get everything in order, etc. If all goes right everything should be shipped Monday. Right now I know a few of you have UPS notifications but that is all. All this means is that I was able to process the order, create the label, and get it on the packing bench. Normally that all happens in one day, but in this case, you can see it didn’t and they remain on the bench.Again, thank you for your understanding. Hopefully something resembling normalcy will return soon.
Filed under: What's new & Updates, Alchemist's Mussings | 3 Comments »
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