Meet the maker
Solstice
About Solstice
Solstice Chocolate is an American chocolate maker settled amongst the scenic vistas of Salt Lake City, Utah. Often dubbed the craft-chocolate-capital of the United States, Utah’s boom in makers and retailers of small batch craft chocolate has made it one of the most concentrated destinations for artisan chocolate in the United States.
How they became makers…
In 2013, husband and wife, Scott Query and DeAnn Wallin, founded Solstice Chocolate. Starting as a hobbyist before running Solstice as a business, DeAnn had always been fascinated by chocolate. Chocolate seemingly made its way into DeAnn’s family activities, from as a child making chocolates with her grandmother, to as a mother making chocolates with her daughters.
As DeAnn would be making her chocolates from couverture, her curiosity sparked – and appetite grew -for making her own bean-to-bar chocolate. What started as an artisanal hobby with the family, somewhat became an endeavour of experimentation to bring the optimum flavour out of the finest ingredients, and simply make chocolate DeAnn and the family would enjoy. With the craft chocolate movement in the U.S taking on a life of its own, it is no wonder why DeAnn found so much pleasure and entertainment in being part of the revolution. DeAnn took a leap for it and officially launched Solstice. Solstice soon became an award-winning chocolate maker, recognised around the world for its quality and slightly European-style of chocolate making in America; that is, adding a touch of cocoa butter to make for a creamier texture.
Solstice’s Sourcing
Solstice Chocolate only sources their beans from ethically-sound and transparent cooperatives. To process the beans, Solstice uses a fluid bed roaster to roast its cacao, which is a method less familiar in chocolate making than drum-roasting cacao. This method of roasting of cocoa beans helps DeAnn visually monitor the roasting process – checking how it’s light or dark (or even over-roasted) and what fruity, floral, nutty or other notes are brought out. DeAnn believes that Solstice’s use of the fluid bed roaster enables her to focus on a lighter roast and this certainly follows through in the vibrant and nuanced flavours of Solstice Chocolate.
An Interview with Solstice
Over the festive period, we caught up with DeAnn Wallin, the leading lady behind Solstice chocolate, to find out more about the Utah-based craft chocolate maker…
What’s your background?
I’m a registered nurse and mother to four daughters.
Why and how did you get into chocolate?
Needless to say, I love chocolate! Some of my favourite childhood memories is making chocolates with my grandma. She taught me to hand temper. I started making chocolates with my own daughters during the holidays. This inspired our curiosity about actually making our own chocolate. We gave it a go and after much trial and error we succeeded. Essentially we turned a hobby into a business.
When did you start your company — and with whom?
2013. We started out as a family business. My husband, two of my daughters and myself.
What is the story behind your company name?
Traditionally, cacao was thought to be harvested around the solstice. Although harvest times vary from area to area, we thought Solstice would be a fun name.
Who designed your packaging – and what are you most proud of about your packaging?
I wanted our packaging to represent the style of our company and let our chocolate speak for
itself. Fun, bold eye catching colours, uncluttered and easy to read without a bunch of fluff.
What is your favourite food?
Ice cream!
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