Micelli Chocolate Molds

Artisan Chocolate Has Finally Met It's Match

You’ve crafted your recipe, created your brand, designed your wrapper and now you need a bar that matches the craft and precision that you’ve put into every other aspect of your business. Here’s why Micelli has made a huge impact on the success of hundreds of chocolate manufacturers just like you.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

We work with everyone from startup artisanal chocolate companies who need our experience helping them through every step of the process, to large industrial manufacturers of major name brands who require the consistency and precision the highest quality polycarbonate injection molding process delivers. Our molds have been used in virtually every chocolate plant across North America. And now they can be used in yours, whether you’re just starting or upgrading.

Unparalleled Expertise

Micelli has expertise working with the most discerning chocolate manufacturers, both large multinational brands and the top award winning specialty Artisans.  Micelli has been relied upon as a valued partner in the development of polycarbonate injection molds for 7 decades.

With tens of thousands of artisanal molds and millions of industrial molds under our belt, we’ve seen and met every challenge you can possibly throw at us. The only thing unique will be your beautiful new design completed in a mold made to last. Like you, we’re passionate about chocolate making – let our experience guide you in making the next great chocolate brand.

Injection molded polycarbonate chocolate molds

Micelli specializes in the design and production of INJECTION MOLDED polycarbonate chocolate molds. If you’re manufacturing high quality chocolate with a precise design and you want molds that can last beyond the life cycle of your product, polycarbonate injection molds are the industry standard.

The combination of rigid flat surfaces, ultrafine engravings, high quality surface finish, and extreme durability make injection molds the perfect fit for your mold requirements. We are the only manufacturer in the USA who uses the injection molding process to create the highest quality most sought after Artisan molds.

Clean Crisp Features

From your first batch to the last, your details and finish can remain precise and exact ­ visually exemplifying the quality product to your consumer. With our polycarbonate injection molds achieving the highest quality and durability possible for artisanal chocolate manufacturers, you can be confident that your chocolate will have the same clean edges and detail years and years from now. Choosing our highest quality injection molding process means a flat rigid mold, fine details, perfectly straight lines, curves that intersect at tight tangents, your molds by Micelli will deliver flawless execution day after day after month after year.

Quality Molds, Built to Last

Built to last a lifetime – unlike starter molds, our custom polycarbonate injection molds can last for decades of Artisanal use and are durable enough to withstand **dishwashers, and constant heating and cooling. We hope the only reason you come back to Micelli is because you’re increasing your production size or rolling out a new size or design.

The one time cost of the highest quality polycarbonate injection molds is worth the years of confidence and avoiding the pitfalls of inferior molds which include warping and distortion, cracking, lack of detail and finish. Know that you need to make your molds once and never worry about them again, like our thousands of prior satisfied customers.

Superior Finish

The quality of the mold has a huge impact on the smoothness of the chocolate’s surface. The injection molding process involves injecting liquid polycarbonate under extreme pressure into a steel die forming the highest quality surface. Polycarbonate injection molds are also able to far better handle heating and cooling cycles without damage, also making them **dishwasher-safe. By choosing cheaper, inferior molds, manufactured by thermoforming/ vacuum forming or use of PET plastics will result in eventual warpage or damage the finish.

**Keep surface temperature below 150F and use proper detergents

If you are a true chocolate lover, you must know how delectable artisan chocolates are. After all, they are hand-made with premium ingredients. Because they are made in small quantities, each piece has a premium flavor, mouthfeel, and appearance. Undoubtedly, these chocolates offer you an experience your regular grocery store chocolate can’t. Want to know more about artisan chocolates? This blog has you covered for everything. From types to benefits and their shelf life, we’re going to talk about everything. So, grab your favorite piece of chocolate and get ready for this sweetly informative ride.

What are Artisan Chocolates?

As the name tells, artisan chocolate is made by chocolate craftsmen. Moreover, their making involves the highest quality ingredients and a responsible production process. Also, the highlight of artisan chocolates is that they are handcrafted in small batches. This is how these chocolates retain their premium taste and texture. 

“Artisan chocolates are different from mass-produced ones because their making involves a high level of craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail.”

Artisan chocolatiers make their products with a passion for delivering something unique. Therefore, they always offer a delightful variety for you to try. From custom gift boxes to truffles and bars, the options are truly endless.

How are Artisan Chocolates Made?

Chocolate fanatics are not just interested in indulging in these treats. In fact, they want to be a part of the chocolate-making journey. And the best way they can do so is by learning about its ingredients and production process. So, let’s talk about how artisan chocolate brands make their treats.

Ingredients of Artisan Chocolates

The best thing about artisan chocolates is that they mostly contain natural ingredients and very less – almost never – artificial ingredients. This is the reason why they have more rich flavors as compared to their mass-produced counterparts. Besides, all the ingredients used are sourced ethically and undergo a thorough quality check. Here is what your chocolate contains:

• Cacao beans
• Sugar
• Dairy content 
• Natural additives
• Natural colors

Artisan chocolate brands even try to avoid using artificial emulsifiers. Because they are mission additional content like artificial flavoring, they give off a more indulgent and luxurious taste. Besides, you can also find vegan chocolate artisan options if you are following a more sustainable lifestyle. For this, artisans use the most premium plant-derived substitutes like oat milk, coconut milk, soya milk, etc. Now let’s talk about how the magic happens - this chocolate process.

The Artisan Chocolate Making Process

Whether industrially produced or hand-made, chocolate is delicious in all forms. As aforementioned, artisans use a more sustainable and responsible chocolate making process. Besides, their process doesn’t involve any machinery. Instead, they use their hands to do it all. At J. Patrice, you are sure to find the best artisan treats to delight your taste buds. From bonbons to toffee bars, we have it all for you. Anyway here is how the best artisan chocolate is made:

• Selection of Beans

This is the first and the most important step of the whole process. After all, the quality of the whole product depends on the ingredients used. Chocolatiers source their cacao beans from the finest regions to ensure the high quality of their chocolates. Moreover, they choose beans on the basis of factors like origin, variety, and harvest conditions. It’s so because these factors directly impact the flavor and texture of chocolates.

• Fermenting & Drying

After harvesting, the next step is the fermentation of cacao beans to develop their distinct flavor. This step continues for several days. Moreover, this process transforms the bean’s bitterness into the complex flavors of chocolate. Afterward, the fermented beans are dried under the sun. This reduces the moisture content in beans and prepares them for the next steps of chocolate production.

• Roasting & Grinding

You should know that roasting plays a vital role in unlocking the rich, chocolatey aroma of beans and deepening their flavor. The temperature and duration of roasting are carefully controlled to achieve the desired taste profile. After roasting, the beans are cracked open, and the nibs inside are ground into a thick paste known as cocoa liquor, which is the base for artisan chocolates.

• Conching Process

When it comes to conching, cocoa liquor is continuously mixed and aerated in large conch machines. This step refines the texture and further develops the flavor. Plus, it removes any unwanted acidity and bitterness. Conching can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Its duration depends on your desired chocolate quality.

• Tempering & Molding

To make the best artisan chocolates ever, chocolate is heated and cooled to stabilize the cocoa butter crystals in it. What’s more, artisans usually cool their heated chocolate down on a marble countertop. After that, the molding process follows. You should know that the tempered chocolate is poured into molds to take different shapes and forms. After cooling, the chocolate is ready for packaging.

What are the Types of Artisan Chocolate?

If you are a true chocolate lover, you must be very interested in trying out different types of artisan chocolate. After all, every variety has a different – delightful – experience to offer. Moreover, artisans make all sorts of chocolatey treats to delight your taste palate in the most premium way. Just like its commercial counterpart, artisan chocolate is also available in similar types:

• Dark Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate
• White Chocolate

As aforementioned, the selection of premium-quality ingredients is what makes these chocolates more indulgent than their commercial counterparts. This is why these treats are nothing short of otherworldly delights. With every bite, they offer your tastebuds a blissful experience. Plus, both these types of chocolate – dark, milk, and white - are made into different forms and shapes. These include the following popular ones:

• Bars
• Truffles
• Bonbons
• Minibars

These are some of the popular types. You can find the best artisan chocolate in so many shapes – especially during the holiday seasons. But why wait for festivities when these premium chocolates can make all your days special? 

Amazing Qualities of Artisan Chocolates

As aforementioned, artisan chocolates are surely different from others. Unlike regular bars with ordinary sweet flavors, these treats offer you a more intense, richer, and nuanced flavor. Every bite of them tells you why they’re perfect. Whether a luxurious gift or a pick-me-up treat, these fit all the roles – perfectly so! Let’s bite into some amazing qualities of gourmet chocolates.

• High Cocoa Content

You will notice that all artisan chocolates usually have an intense and deeply rich flavor. This is because these chocolates focus more on the quality of the beans. And better quality beans mean nuanced flavors. Besides, you should know that there are fewer additives in artisan-made chocolate. Therefore, you can have a better taste of the cocoa.

Dark artisan chocolates contain about 70% – 99% cocoa, while milk artisan chocolates have about 35% – 65%.

Link to Huafeng Mold

• Craftsmanship

Here comes the most amazing quality of gourmet chocolates: craftsmanship. Artisans hand-craft each piece of their chocolate products with utter attention to detail. Moreover, they use both traditional and innovative techniques to create rich, flavorful treats. This is why their products are not just deliciously irresistible but elegant-looking too. Their HANDS-ON approach (quite literally) ensures every produc of theirs is a delicious work of art.

• Organic Ingredients

Another reason that makes artisanal chocolates better than regular chocolates is their ingredients. Mostly, artisan chocolates are made with the best quality ingredients – all natural. Moreover, you should know that reputable artisan chocolate brands always source their cacao beans from the finest gardens around the world. They also perform quality check on all the ingredients before putting them to use.

• Sustainable Choice

You should know that artisan chocolate is good, both environmentally and economically. After all, their making process involves ethical sourcing and eco-friendly practices. Moreover, many brands use the production of these chocolates as an initiative to support fair trade cocoa farmers and small-scale organic farms. Undoubtedly, it’s a conscientious choice for mindful consumers.

• Healthier Chocolate

One of the main reasons why artisan chocolate is better than your regular chocolate is that it’s a healthier option. Moreover, it contains higher quality ingredients. Also, you already know that artisanal chocolate has more cocoa content. And more cocoa content means higher amount of antioxidants, with neutralize harmful free radicles. As a result, our body stays protected from alot of health issues.

• It’s Delicious

You don’t need anymore reasons to try artisan chocolates when you know they are just delicious. As aforementioned, these chocolates have the best contents and are made with great artistry. So, obviously, they are better tasting than your regular chocolates. Furthermore, you can find a wide variety of flavors for you to enjoy. From classics to fusions, they have it all.

Artisan Chocolate Vs. Regular Chocolate

Although artisan chocolates are so premium, you have seen that regular commercially produced chocolates are popular among masses. Why so? Because they are made to cater to masses. Anyways, here is a brief comparison of premium artisanal chocolates with regular grocery store chocolates. Have a look at it to see how both differ from each other and which one is better:

Quality

Artisan Chocolate

Industrial Chocolate

Ingredients

High-quality, organic

includes artificial flavors and preservatives

Production

Small-batches, handcrafted

Mass-produced, automated processes

Cocoa Content

Higher

Lower

Flavor Variety

Unique, complex

Standardized, limited

Quick Question: Why is artisan chocolate so expensive?

Artisan chocolate is surely expensive as compared to others. However, good things always come at a price. Furthermore, they contain premium ingredients which are expensive on their own. Besides, their production takes more time and labour as compared to commercial chocolates. Also, many artisans sell made-to-order chocolates. This means they are always fresh and never stale. Another reason why these treats come at a higher price range is that they are are elegantly-packaged. 

Conclusion

We’ve thoroughly discussed all you needed to know about artisan chocolates. From their qualities to types and processing method, this sweet guide covers you for everything. Clearly, regular chocolate is better than your artisan chocolate. After all, it has better quality ingredients and hand-crafted with excellent craft. Besides, you can find them in so many different shapes and types. Whether its truffles or bars, you have so much to explore. Why waste your money on mundane commercial chocolates when you can indulge in the richness of artisan chocolates.

FAQs

Our artisan chocolate guide has covered everything quite comprehensively. Here is some more sweet info for you. Check out these frequently asked questions about artisan-made chocolate:

What are the benefits of artisan chocolate?

Artisan chocolate offers premium flavor, rich texture, and exquisite flavors for you to indulge in. Besides, they are a healthier option because of their organic ingredients and a sustainable choice.

How long does artisan chocolate last?

You should know that artisan chocolates can last for several months if you store them properly in a cool dry place. Furthermore, the ideal temperature for storage is 14 and 18 °C.

Where to buy artisan chocolate?

You can purchase artisan chocolates from specialty chocolate shops, gourmet food stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers. Many local boutiques and high-end supermarkets also carry artisan brands. You can check out J. Patrice for a delectable variety of artisan-made chocolates.