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If, like me, one of your weaknesses is chocolate you’ll find a great chocolate tour in the Grand Traverse area of Michigan. Chocolate is no longer just a candy bar you pick up at the register on your way out of the drugstore. The delectable, luscious chocolates Europeans have known for years are making their way into gourmet chocolate shops around the U.S. The art of making fine chocolates is just that, an art, and skilled chocolatiers are finding a willing audience here in the states.

Read on to find a delicious yet simple recipe for Decadent Chocolate Mousse.

You’ll find plenty of other reasons to spend some time in Michigan’s Grand Traverse region. This area has long been known for its beautiful scenery and wide variety of outdoor recreation. The Traverse City area is brimming with trendy shops, unique boutiques, fine wineries, and divine locovore eateries. It only makes sense while visiting to indulge in some sinfully delicious chocolates. There are plenty of delightful, chocolaty spots to tantalize your taste buds.
Long time self-described chocolate aficionado and chocoholic Barbara Disborough of Interlochen, Michigan, has made finding, eating, and sharing the best chocolate in the Grand Traverse area, her latest mission in life. A retired respiratory therapist, Barbara has been so inspired by her love of chocolate she’s penned The Guide to Chocolate in the Grand Traverse Region. “What a fun project” says Barbara. “This book clearly is an example of doing what one loves”. Barbara also hosts chocolate tastings, parties, and leads chocolate tours.

Here is just a sampling of the fifty-plus locales Barbara covers in her book where you can find tantalizing truffles, sumptuous sauces, fabulous fudges, delectable desserts, mouth watering mousses…you get the idea!!
Grocer’s Daughter Chocolates – 12020 S. Leelanau Hwy (M-22) - Owned and operated by Mimi Wheeler, Grocer’s Daughter is a small, family-owned business in Empire, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Her chocolate creations are made from naturally grown ingredients and she uses Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate from Ecuador. Mimi has visited the farming communities that produce her chocolate. She also buys ingredients from local Michigan farms, wineries, orchards, and apiaries, to ensure she has the freshest ingredients and helps support the local economy. http://www.grocersdaughter.com/.

The Chocolate Den – 324 E. Front St., Traverse City – Hand made and hand dipped using only the finest and freshest ingredients. They create melt in your mouth hand rolled and dipped truffles and creams with no preservatives. They boast having the largest selection of sugar-free chocolates in Northern Michigan. For nut lovers there are the nuttiest of nut clusters, turtles, and almond bark. For a real treat try the White Chocolate Cherry Bark made with local Michigan cherries. http://www.chocolateden.com/

Chocolate Exotica – 525 W. Front St., Traverse City – You can find it all here: chocolates, pastries, ice cream, cakes and cookies. From truffles, toffees and barks, to Grand Marnier cream puffs: filled with Bavarian cream and topped with white chocolate, to dark chocolate walnut cookies and chocolate raspberry mousse torte, you’ll have a hard time deciding what you want to tantalize your taste buds with. http://www.chocolateexotica.com/.

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