For people across the world, chocolate is a standard found in delectable treats ranging from chocolate milk to chocolate fondue, chocolate martini to a chocolate sundae. For those who really love chocolate, it could almost be considered its own separate food group. For David Mason, founder of Black Mountain Chocolate, this dark and delicious treat represents his livelihood.

David's interest in chocolate-making began several years ago, in his Charleston, South Carolina, kitchen. His friend, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico, shared with him the entire process, from the fermentation of the cacao seeds to the roasting of the actual bean. David was immediately fascinated.

A “foodie” by nature, David wasted no time in perfecting the process for himself. Three years, numerous taste tests, multiple experiments, and countless batches later, he achieved a process that resulted in the finest, most appealing form of chocolate, that could be altered to create pure, dark, plain, or even crunchy chocolate bars.

Thus began, after a move to Western North Carolina, Black Mountain Chocolate. The founding of Black Mountain Chocolate wasn’t easy, considering that there are only a few chocolate makers in the United States, most of which are large producers. Custom equipment, like David's roaster, for small-batch production had to be acquired, as did a space in Black Mountain that would be perfect for housing a cocoa roastery. After renovations were made to the old Swannanoa post office, the cocoa roastery officially opened in the spring of 2011.

One of David's favorite aspects of owning Black Mountain Chocolate are the tours of the cocoa roastery that he offers. The tours are informative and involved, yet fun and exciting, too.

David explains the history of the cacao bean and its journey to his roastery from areas such as Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. He demonstrates how he hand-picks the beans, roasts them, and then extracts the nib. Then he illustrates the final process of taking the nib to a “chocolate liquor,” which will become the chocolate bar that is packaged, wrapped, and ready to be enjoyed.

David's artisan chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, baking chocolate, and chocolate gifts are all available inside the roastery at Black Mountain Chocolate. Even newer are his savory chocolate products, like a delicious Nib Rub, and artisan chocolate body products, such as milk chocolate soap made with goat milk. These treats are also available online, at the Black Mountain Tailgate Market, and the Merry Wine Market in Black Mountain.

For more information or to shop online, visit blackmountainchocolate.com, or call 828.686.5511.