This Bean To Bar Chocolate Shop Tour In Maine Is One Of A Kind

You're in Maine. You want something quintessentially Maine. Lobster, right? Nope, not this time! While we certainly can't deny that there are some foods that are totally Maine, there are lots of new foods and businesses redefining what Maine is all about. A great example of is this bean to bar chocolate shop sitting on the working waterfront in Rockland.

Bixby & Co. was founded Kate McAleer who has diplomas from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York and from Ecole Chocolate in Vancouver.

The name "Bixby" comes from her great- great grandparents, Lillian and William K. Bixby, who worked were devoted to family, the community and working towards the "American Dream." Today, Kate has worked to also support her local community, while also creating a thriving socially responsible chocolate business.

Her mother is a constant supporter and is deeply involved with Bixby & Co.as well. You may have seen the duo on local news channels and in local magazines!

Her key project has been working with the Audubon Society's Project Puffin to help develop three new Puffin chocolate confections made by Bixby. Five percent of the sales of Puffin chocolate confections will go to Project Puffin, who is working to restore and protect the Puffin in the State of Maine.

All products are created in a 125-year-old former ice plant on the working waterfront in Rockland, one of the most quintessentially "Maine" places in the state's Mid Coast region.

Each item is made using ethically sourced ingredients and many have certifications including being organic, non-GMO, kosher and gluten-free. Some also carry a Vegan Verification, Rainforest Alliance Certification, SQF Level II Certification, and certified Women Owned.

Their signature product, the Bixby Bar, is an artisan candy snack bar made with real organic Rainforest Alliance Certified Chocolate.

And, the organic beans come directly from Caribbean and Central American countries like the Dominican Republic, Guatamala and Haiti.

And while we might love this the best, we also appreciate the drinking chocolate on a chilly fall day.

You can buy Bixby & Co. products in various places across Maine, including the Creelman Farm Store on nearby Vinalhaven.

But, we like going straight to the source where you can also take a tour.

The tours take place next to the tasting room and retail store in part of of the manufacturing facility.

Visitors will be walked through the history of chocolate and how it is made locally.

While you can't go inside the actual factory, there are windows allowing for curious eyes to see what's going on.

You'll see fresh ingredients being used.

And the creamiest, freshest chocolate you can imagine!

And, when it's over, you'll probably want to buy one of everything!

Bixby & Co. is located at 1 Sea Street Place, Rockland, Maine. They're open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and they're closed Sundays and Labor Day. For more information, check them out online and on Facebook. You can give them a call on (207) 691-2634.

For another unique food experience in Maine, check out this bacon themed restaurant!