Join the Marlborough Junior Reporters at Goodnow Farms in Sudbury, a local chocolate farm! The farm is run by the Rogans: Tom, Monica, Tar, and Helena. Where do the cacao beans come from? What makes Goodnow's chocolate different, or even, better?!
From Bean to Bar: Inside Goodnow Farms Chocolate Factory
The Marlborough Junior Reporters recently visited Goodnow Farms Chocolate Factory in Sudbury, Massachusetts, where owners Tom and Monica Rogan craft award-winning chocolate bars from carefully sourced cacao beans. The 11-acre property, originally a 200-acre working farm in the 1800s, now houses their chocolate-making facility in what was once the garage.
Since 2016, the Rogans have been transforming raw cacao beans into premium chocolate bars, though their chocolate-making journey began as a hobby in 2005.
What sets Goodnow Farms apart is their commitment to quality and transparency. Unlike mass-produced chocolate that may contain as little as 10% cacao, their bars typically contain 70-77% cacao. They source beans from seven different farming groups across Central and South America, maintaining direct relationships with farmers in countries including Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico.
The chocolate-making process is meticulous and time-consuming. Each batch takes about a month to complete, involving multiple steps:
Hand-sorting beans to remove defects
Light roasting to preserve natural flavors
Cracking and winnowing to remove shells
Grinding for 5-6 days to achieve optimal texture
Adding freshly-pressed cocoa butter from the same bean type
Tempering and molding into bars
Their dedication has paid off - Goodnow Farms is now North America's most awarded chocolate maker. Their Maple Sugar bar and white chocolate recently won "Best Chocolate in the World" at international competitions.
The Rogans maintain a family-friendly atmosphere at the factory, where their children Helena (11) and Tar (12) have grown up around chocolate-making. The facility also hosts tours and seasonal events, including a popular haunted barn experience during Halloween. For visitors interested in trying their chocolate, Goodnow Farms bars are available in specialty shops across New England and nationwide. Each bar showcases the unique flavors of its origin, proving that fine dark chocolate doesn't have to be bitter - it just needs quality ingredients and careful crafting.
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