Sweet...

Feb. 8, 2006

Just the mere mention of “chocolate” and one’s imagination runs wild with sensuous thoughts, reminders of childhood memories and special romantic moments. It has been said that while, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend, chocolate is her lover.” But the delights of chocolate, the really good stuff with 65% cocoa or more in it, are not reserved just for the ladies. Yes, many a man is known to be a closet chocolate lover.
Now chocolate lovers are coming out of the closet, as the health benefits of eating quality chocolate are being made known. Recent studies have shown that cocoa has several health benefits. Dark chocolate (75% cocoa) is full of the flavonoids epicatechin and gallic acid, which are antioxidants that help protect blood vessels, promote cardiac health, and prevent cancer. It also has been demonstrated that chocolate counteracts mild hypertension. In fact, dark chocolate has more flavonoids than any other antioxidant-rich food such as red wine, green and black tea, and blueberries.

GROCER’S DAUGHTER
So expect more chocolate lovers to come out of the closet, especially once they have taken just one little bite from Mimi Wheeler’s Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. Launched in her home (between Glen Arbor and Empire) during the fall of 2004, Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate -- named in tribute of Wheeler’s mother who owned a rural grocery in Denmark -- has infused the personality and products of the region with Wheeler’s passion for chocolate.
Her truffles feature herbs from her gardens  and cherries from local organic cherry growers. She is even infusing some of her truffles with Courvoisier, Cherry Eau de Vie (brandy) from Black Star Farms, Grand Marnier, and whiskey. A popular seller is her Chocolate Honey Caramel Truffle that features Star Thistle Honey from Sleeping Bear Farms in Honor.
Wheeler began experimenting with truffle making at the age of nine, but pursued another calling before embarking on her career as a chocolatier. For the past 25 years she was a social worker, first with the Benzie/Manistee Community Mental Health, and for the past 10 years at the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor. Now, after a year of working out of her home and storefront in Glen Arbor, she has found a home in Empire for both production and a place for customers to come and enjoy a bite of chocolate.

ON LOCATION
“I am pleased to have found this wonderful place in Empire. My landlord Tim Barr (owner of Art’s Bar) has offered me a wonderful deal. Plus the community here has been so supportive and I just moved in a couple of months ago,” said Wheeler. “I plan to offer several creative programs here at my location, such as small concerts, movies and even chocolate making classes.”
When Wheeler left her social work career (though she jokes that she is still counseling using chocolates instead of words) she decided to pursue her other passion. She began experimenting with Belgian chocolate until she was introduced to the joys of Ecuadorian cocoa.
“I was at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and they told me about Ecuador and the Arriba varietal that grows in the rainforest there,” said Wheeler. “I fell in love with it immediately and am looking forward to my first trip there this February.”
Next week Wheeler will participate in the harvesting of the cocoa pods that grow deep in the rainforests. The pods are in the shape and size of a football with each pod holding approximately 30 beans.
“The beans are actually without flavor at harvest and need to ferment for three to four days after which they are dried and then shelled,” said Wheeler. “From there the chocolate nibs (the heart of bean) are pressed into cocoa or cocoa butter. I normally use Arriba Couverture that has a range of 55% to 75% cocoa.  The higher the percentage of cocoa the less sweet the chocolate is.”

DEEPER CONNECTION
 Wheeler feels an obligation to share her knowledge with consumers so that they might feel a deeper connection to the chocolate they enjoy. That philosophy encouraged her to go and experience first-hand the harvest at five cooperative farms where her chocolate originates.
“I think having this connectivity is important for me as the chocolatier.  The passion and dedication for my chocolates begin in Ecuador with those who harvest the cocoa, I want to meet them and experience that passion first hand. I think it is very important for all us to have as much contact with those who are growing the foods we eat.”
Equally important to Wheeler is that her chocolate meets the demands of the Rainforest Alliance Certification. The Rainforest Alliance certifies cocoa farms that meet its social and environmental standards, including access to education and health care and improved water and soil quality. Participating farmers grow their cocoa in harmony with the rainforest, without using synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
“There is a sense of integrity here that I feel is important. It is how I conduct my business and it is how I expect others I do business with to operate,” said Wheeler. “For example I am a big fan of Tim Young at Food For Thought in Honor. He uses ethical principles in operating his business.”
Wheeler has already passed on goodwill herself by offering a portion of her space to another budding entrepreneur, Derek Prechtl, who launched So Good Coffees last fall. He will move his roasting operation from his home to Wheeler’s next week.

SIMPLE GOALS
While most new entrepreneurs develop detailed business plans, Wheeler opted for some simple goals.
“I didn’t want to go in debt and from day one I have remained in the black. I wanted to make good chocolate using organic and locally grown products while at the same time supporting the ethical and ecological harvesting of cocoa. I didn’t set out to become a millionaire, I just wanted to make good chocolate truffles that were inspired but what is good about the world we live in. I remain inspired and motivated by the socially and environmentally responsible farmers who harvest the cocoa as well as the many people I come across everyday who practice principals of societal betterment.”
As for this millionaire thing Wheeler might not have a say in that. In one short year Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate has been shipping chocolates to upscale addresses across the country (former personal secretary to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is a regular customer). Business has become so good that Wheeler has had to bring in friends to help keep up with orders. She is putting in over 80 hours a week marketing, making and selling her chocolates But whether five or 5,000 people buy her chocolate or whether she makes five bucks or five million, Wheeler’s philosophy will remain the same.
“I love working with chocolate, it is a reflection of who we should be as people. Chocolate is adaptable, flexible, easy to work with and very versatile. There is a sense of goodness in it.” 
 In addition to an assortment of truffles Wheeler is making “chocolate puddles” (try the ones with dried cherries and pumpkin seeds) and chocolate turtles that are in the shape of turtles. As for prices (don’t anyone tell her) Wheeler’s chocolates are priced well below what she could be charging, but then again that is part of her character. It is a safe bet that rooted in her heart and good nature is the desire to make good chocolate affordable for all to enjoy.
 
Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate is available at fine retailers throughout Northern Michigan or may be purchased online at www.grocersdaughter.com . To sign up for the truffle making class February 11 from 3 to 4:30 in Empire (10202 South Leelanau Hwy.) call (231) 326-3030.  Space is limited and advance reservations are required. Wheeler will also host a Valentine’s Party February 14 at 7 pm with the Celtic band Back O’Beyond and of course, lots of chocolate.

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