TRAVERSE CITY — Patti Mercer concocted her business Ambrosia Sipping Chocolate in the spring and officially launched it in November around northern Michigan.
Mercer, a Traverse City resident, said she wanted to fill a gap in beverage options in the United States.
"It started with traveling in Europe," Mercer said. "We loved the sipping chocolate but couldn't find it in the U.S."
She visited American coffee shops, specialty stores and websites, but still could not find the right mix.
"We went back [to Europe] to find chocolate and recipes," she said. "We traveled and tasted. We found some chocolates that are UTZ certified — that means they're sustainable."
Mercer imports chocolate from Europe and uses it to make hot chocolate in Traverse City. She said they grind cocoa beans and then blend them to their create hot chocolate mixes.
"It's a lot like coffee roasting," she said. "We use real chocolate — never cocoa powder."
Varieties include regular, salted caramel and raspberry — a new flavor that will be available soon. For the holidays, Mercer said, they made a candy cane version that included pieces of the peppermint candy.
Oryana Marketing Manager Kirsten Harris said they enjoyed being able to sample Ambrosia Sipping Chocolate and get to know Mercer during their recent holiday market.
"We love when local vendors want to demo," Harris said. "It's another fun, local product to highlight."
Harris added that Mercer is welcome to return with more samples in the future.
Mercer attended Central Michigan University and has a business background. She is also a real estate developer.
Ambrosia Sipping Chocolate is distributed by Great House Foods and made in a facility off South Airport Road, which Mercer said is not open to the public.
Samples are often available during the Village at Grand Traverse Commons farm market.
"When people taste it, we feel we've gained a new customer," Mercer said. "We're starting local, but we intend to grow the business — hopefully national. In Traverse City, we know hot drinks. It's been a wonderful place to start."
In addition, Mercer said they are also developing a vegan chocolate.
Find Ambrosia Sipping Chocolate in Tom's Food Markets, Oryana, Oleson's and Mary's Kitchen Port. People can also order online at ambrosiasippingchocolate.com or through Etsy.
[Originally published online and in print Dec. 30, 2023]
No comments:
Post a Comment