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 SAVE $200 WITH EARLY ENROLLMENT AVAILABLE OCT 20th - Nov 1st

($295 Early Enrollment, $495 Regular Price)

 

How To Make Chocolate At Home 

Learn The Art and Science of Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Making At Home. Join John Nanci, Founding Alchemist of Chocolate Alchemy, as he teaches 20+ years of proven techniques, roasting profiles, and recipe development techniques to turn raw cacao beans into world-class chocolate in your own kitchen.

ENROLL NOW

In this online course you will get ongoing access to:

  • The Foundation of Craft Chocolate: Strip away the fluff and master the essential physics and chemistry behind bean-to-bar chocolate making—taught by John Nanci, FCIA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and pioneer of open-source craft chocolate.

  • Bean Sorting (and why it doesn't matter)

  • Cocoa Roasting & Profile Development:

    • The core mechanics of heat transfer and flavor development in raw cacao.

    • How to build custom roast profiles tailored to specific beans.

    • Step-by-step roasting methods using accessible tools like home ovens and the Behmor roaster.

  • Efficient Cracking & Winnowing Techniques:

    • How to separate husk from nib cleanly using small-scale tools.

    • How to utilize specialized gear—including the Champion Juicer and Sylph winnowing system—to achieve professional-grade yields at home.

  • Custom Recipe Development & Formulation:

    • The math and flavor logic behind creating custom bean-to-bar dark, milk, white, and ruby chocolate recipes.

    • How to seamlessly integrate inclusions (nuts, spices, salts) without ruining the emulsion.

    • How to select the right cocoa beans specifically suited for milk chocolate formulations.

  • Micro-Batch Refining & Conching:

    • How to operate stone melangers/refiners (including wet grinders like the Spectra 11) to achieve silk-smooth texture.

  • The Science & Art of Tempering:

    • Demystify the formation of crystals so your finished bars achieve glossy shine, firm snap, and long shelf life.

    • Step-by-step techniques for reliable hand tempering made easy and accessible.

photo of founding Alchemist John Nanci of Chocolate Alchemy

Meet Your Alchemist

  • In 2004, John set out to demystify craft chocolate when making bean-to-bar at home was considered impossible.

  • He discovered and adapted tools now standard in the craft world (like refiners, the Behmor roaster, Champion Juicer, and Sylph winnovers).

  • Recognized with the FCIA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Legend of Chocolate Award for bringing small-scale chocolate making to thousands across the globe.

Start Your Chocolate Making Journey

Demystify the chocolate making process with John Nanci. Drawing on over 20 years of bean-to-bar innovation, The Chocolate Alchemist is offering his definitive home course for the very first time. We're offering early enrollment for $295 (regular $495)

Enroll Now

Course Equipment & Supplies List:

Below is the complete equipment list needed to complete the bean-to-bar chocolate making course. Equipment is organized by stage. Please review the options for each stage to ensure you have what you need before class begins!

1. GENERAL INGREDIENTS & PREP

  • Cocoa Beans (Chocolate Alchemy)
  • Digital Kitchen Scale
  • Mixing Bowls

2. ROASTING

Choose ONE Option For Roasting:

  • Option A: Standard Kitchen Oven + Baking Tray / Sheet
  • Option B: Behmor 2000 AB Coffee/Cocoa Roaster (Chocolate Alchemy)

Accessories:

  • Oven mitts
  • Mixing Spoon / Spatula

Recommended/Optional:

  • Infrared Thermometer
  • Thermacouple (if using Behmor roaster)

3. CRACKING

Choose ONE Option For Cracking:

  • Option A (Manual): By hand (no special tools required beyond bowls)
  • Option B: Champion Juicer 2000 (Chocolate Alchemy)
  • Option C: Crankandstein Cocoa Mill

Accessories:

  • Bowls

4. WINNOWING

Choose ONE Option For Winnowing:

  • Option A (Manual): By hand / hand-fanning
  • Option B: Hair Dryer + Bowls
  • Option C: Sylph Winnower (Chocolate Alchemy)
  • Option D: DIY Winnowing Setup

Accessories:

  • Scoop / Cup

5. REFINING

Choose ONE Option For Refining:

Option A: Spectra 11 Refiner

Option B: Premier Wonder Grinder

Accessories:

  • Bowls
  • Paper Towels
  • Gloves

6. TEMPERING

  • Chocolate Molds
  • Bowl
  • Spatula
  • Grater