Araya Artisan Chocolate in Houston, Texas: A Review

Authentic Venezuelan Chocolate in the Heart of River Oaks

Bobbi Leder, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 20, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Araya Artisan Chocolate (located in the River Oaks shopping center in Houston, Texas) is a chocolate lover's dream. If you are a chocolate connoisseur and can appreciate real chocolate (dark or dark-milk) made with Venezuelan cocoa beans and honey (instead of sugar), then add Araya to your "must try" list. In addition to looking like little masterpieces (pretty enough to shellac and use as home décor), each piece of chocolate tastes like a slice of heaven.

The recipes used to make the artisan chocolate were developed to preserve the natural flavor and aroma, and do not include anything artificial. I tried the strawberry balsamic, raspberry, and peanut butter & berries, and quite honestly I couldn't choose a favorite flavor. They were each exquisite in their own way. The peanut butter & berries had a subtle flavor of peanut butter with a layer of berry jam on top. The infusion was pure delight to my taste buds. The strawberry balsamic and raspberry were like twins--each wonderful yet unique in their own way.

Araya Artisan Chocolate in Houston, Texas has a plethora of flavors so there's something for everyone. See below for a full list of flavors which are broken up by collection. The Venezuela 41% and Venezuela 70% are available in the infusions, nuts and spices collections.

Fruit
Acai pomegranate, apricot, key lime, passion fruit, raspberry, and strawberry balsamic.

Infusions
Cappuccino, Chai spice, Moroccan tea, and rainbow rooibos.

Liquor
Bourbon & cherry, Irish cream, Manhattan, margarita, orange marzipan, and vodka citron.

Nuts Collection
Cinnamon & walnuts, hazelnut praline, orange marzipan, and peanut butter & berries.

Spices Collection
Chipotle, ginger, and pink salt.

Truffles
Amaretto, bourbon, café café, champagne rosé, coconut rum, and hazelnut.

Customers can visit the Araya chocolate laboratory (kind of like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory) and shop at their Katy, Texas location. They are located next to the dental office at 1575 West Grand Pkwy S Suite 1000, Katy TX, 77494. The phone number for Araya Artisan Chocolate in Katy, Texas is (713) 542-5620. Their hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 p.m.

Araya Artisan Chocolate's River Oaks location is 2013 W Gray St, Houston TX, 77019. The phone number is (832) 967-7960. Their hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Araya Artisan Chocolate website: http://www.arayachocolate.com

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.

Published by Bobbi Leder

Bobbi Leder is the author of the picture book, THE SECRET POLICE DOG. Leder has been published with a variety of print and web-based magazines, websites, anthologies, and newspapers. View profile