The Magic of Beans – from Cocoa to Pulses – London Craft Chocolate Fair 2026

About the event

The Cocoa Runners team spends a lot of time talking about cocoa beans – but we’ll let you into a secret: cocoa beans aren’t technically beans at all. So, we’ve invited the real bean experts from Brindisa to tell us about ‘real’ beans – legumes and pulses.

How do you assess quality in beans? What makes a bean ‘rare’? Monika Linton, founder of Brindisa will join Spencer Hyman from Cocoa Runners at this special tasting, exploring the world of beans – from cocoa to pulses. Monika recently launched her ‘Rare Pulse Club’, sharing exceptional heirloom varieties of beans from small Spanish growers, selected for their extraordinary flavour, texture and regional character. In this tasting, you’ll try some of these beans and explore how terroir impacts flavour, as well as trying the beans cooked in different fats to explore how to bring out the best of them. You’ll find out how we assess quality for Monika’s Rare Pulse Club and the Cocoa Runners Club, looking at the similarities and differences between cocoa beans and pulses. You’ll also taste cocoa beans from different origins and explore how makers bring out their flavour in chocolate bars.

Please note, this tasting is not suitable for vegetarians.

This tasting is part of the London Craft Chocolate Fair 2026. See the full line-up of talks and tastings here. Your ticket will also grant you free access to the Chocolate Makers Market.

About the London Craft Chocolate Fair 2026

For the fourth year running, Cocoa Runners are hosting their popular Craft Chocolate Fair on the 17th & 18th October 2026. The craft chocolate experts will host an indoor market with bean-to-bar chocolate makers from the UK and beyond, with a series of talks, tastings and pairings with experts from tea, coffee, olive oil, wine, beer and more.

The event will take place at the Fidelio Cafe and Concert Venue in Farringdon, London, running from 10-6 on Saturday 17th and 10-5 Sunday 18th. Free entry to the fair will be included in every tasting ticket. For those not attending a tasting, entry will cost £5.

About your host

Cocoa Runners

Cocoa Runners has the biggest library of craft chocolate bars in the world with over 100 makers and 1000 bars and craft chocolates. We source, taste, hand pick and import the world’s very best craft chocolate, guiding people on a journey from farm to bar that brings them closer to the processes and practices of change-making growers and makers. We host expert tasting sessions and have a chocolate subscription club to help people embark on their own craft chocolate adventures.

Spencer Hyman

Few people know more about chocolate than Spencer. His love for craft chocolate began in the 90s when travelling to the US. His career has spanned everything from making cabbage-patch dolls in Asia to launching the first major online music discovery service, Last.fm. But in 2013, he decided it was time for the world to discover the world of craft chocolate. Today, he is a champion for craft chocolate makers all over the world. Spencer hosts chocolate tastings and education courses around the world, judges for international chocolate awards, and he often appears on TV, media and at conferences, including Sunday Brunch, World Cocoa Conference, Great Taste Awards, Society of Flavourists, International Wine Challenge, Barista Connect, Academy of Chocolate and more.