General Questions
At M. Cacao, we view chocolate as food, not just a treat, so we craft our products with fresh, real ingredients rather than oils or artificial flavorings. Our chocolates combine traditional French techniques with bold, modern flavors and offer the option of boxing your chocolates in our ultra-personalized Expressio Chocolate Video Box.
Our kitchens and boutique are located at 6 Chestnut Street, Suite 211, Amesbury, MA. Here, you can experience our full range of chocolates and participate in exclusive tastings and workshops.
All M. Cacao chocolates are crafted under the expertise of Master French Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Delphin Gomes. His dedication to traditional French techniques and bold, modern flavors ensures that each product meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Yes, we offer a variety of chocolate and pastry classes where participants learn from our expert chocolatiers. Our classes are hands-on, educational experiences that cover various techniques and skill levels. If you are interested in seeing the kitchens where all our chocolates are made, contact us for scheduling.
All of our chocolates are handcrafted in our kitchen in Amesbury, Massachusetts, ensuring the highest quality and freshness.
Product-Specific Questions
The Expressio Chocolate Video Box is a unique gift box that includes a video screen and speakers. That means that your personalized video message or photo slide show is uploaded into the box and plays when it is opened. It’s an innovative way to make special occasions memorable.
Yes, we offer customization for both chocolates and packaging, including logos, designs, and messages. Visit our custom chocolates page or contact us to discuss your needs, especially for weddings, corporate gifts, and special events.
No, we do not use seed oils in our chocolates. We believe in using whole, fresh ingredients that let the natural flavors of our chocolates shine.
Yes, we offer several vegan-friendly chocolates, such as our Seriously?! Truffles Collection, and several of our ArtBars, including Three Graces (with oranges, lemons, and limes), Spice of Life (with pistachios and salt & pepper almonds), and Cool Fantasy (with raspberries and mint leaves). These chocolates are crafted without animal products. However, please note that all products are made in a facility that processes dairy, so cross-contamination is possible.
Yes, we have a selection of dairy-free chocolates, including our Seriously?! Truffles Collection, and several of our ArtBars, including Three Graces (with oranges, lemons, and limes), Spice of Life (with pistachios and salt & pepper almonds), and Cool Fantasy (with raspberries and mint leaves). While made without dairy ingredients, these chocolates are produced in a facility that also processes dairy, so cross-contamination is possible.
Most of our chocolates are made without gluten-containing ingredients, including our Fromage Chocolate Collection, Seriously?! Truffles Collection, Garden Caramels, Chocolatier Classics Collection, Chile Caramels, and several of our ArtBars, including Three Graces (with oranges, lemons, and limes), Spice of Life (with pistachios and salt & pepper almonds), Let’s Dance (with sweet peppers and sage leaves), and Cool Fantasy (with raspberries and mint leaves). However, because our facility also processes gluten, cross-contamination is possible for those with celiac disease or an allergy.
We offer chocolates that do not contain nuts, such as our Seriously?! Truffles Collection, Chocolatier Classics Collection, Chile Caramels, and several of our ArtBars, including Three Graces (with oranges, lemons, and limes), Let’s Dance (with sweet peppers and sage leaves), Horchata Daydream (with crisped rice, and Cool Fantasy (with raspberries and mint leaves). However, all our products are made in a facility that also processes nuts, which means cross-contamination is possible, so we recommend caution for those with severe nut allergies.
Some of our chocolates are made with eggs, including Opera and Tea Lemon (both in the Chef’s Collection), and Portugal and Peru (from the Salts of the World Collection). Everything else we make does not contain eggs. However, all of our chocolates are produced in a facility that also processes eggs, so cross-contamination may occur.
Each product page on our website lists detailed ingredients to help you make informed choices that meet your needs and tastes.
Many of our products are suitable for vegetarians, as they do not contain meat or gelatin. However, some items may include dairy or eggs. Please check the ingredients list on each product page to determine suitability for your dietary preferences.
Currently, our products are not certified kosher. We are exploring options to offer kosher-certified products in the future.
At this time, we do not offer sugar-free chocolates. We focus on creating high-quality, flavorful chocolates that use sugar, which we believe is a crucial ingredient to create the best texture possible.
Order and Shipping Questions
We offer a Warm Weather Express service during warmer months, which includes expedited shipping and eco-friendly temperature-controlled packaging. This packaging uses water-soluble insulation and non-toxic, drain-safe gel ice packs to ensure chocolates arrive in perfect condition with minimal waste. We also have a No-Melt Guarantee that comes with our Warm Weather Express Service – if your chocolates were shipped with our Warm Weather Express Service and arrive melted, contact us and we will arrange a replacement.
Yes, we offer options for shipping to multiple addresses, ideal for corporate gifts or special events. For larger orders, please contact us to coordinate the logistics.
Yes, you can contact us at hello@mcacao.com to specify your desired delivery date.
We accept all major credit cards, including VISA, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as wire transfers and PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive tracking information via email. Our shipments are handled by UPS, USPS, or another trusted courier, and you can track your package directly through the courier’s website.
We include information describing each chocolate, along with storage and tasting information. For gift orders, we do not include any invoices or promotional materials.
Yes, you can send a gift anonymously. Simply let us know at hello@mcacao.com, and we’ll ensure that your name does not appear on any documentation accompanying the gift.
Gifting and Customization Questions
Yes, we specialize in corporate gifting with customizable options, including personalized packaging, customized chocolate decorations and the one-and-only Expressio Chocolate Video Box. Contact us to create memorable gifts for clients, employees, or special events.
Absolutely! You can add a personalized message during checkout, and we will include it with your order to make your gift more meaningful.
Yes, we offer elegantly designed gift cards, ready for any occasion. Available in multiple denominations, they allow recipients to choose their favorite M. Cacao chocolates or even book a chocolate class.
Yes, we offer private chocolate tastings, including wine or charcuterie pairings, for a more intimate experience. Contact us to learn more about scheduling a tasting.
Yes, we offer wholesale options for select products. If you’re interested in carrying M. Cacao chocolates at your business, please reach out at hello@mcacao.com for more information.
Yes, we offer a loyalty program to reward our frequent customers. Join our program to earn Cacao Beans with every purchase, redeemable for discounts, rewards and exclusive offers.
Storage and Freshness Questions
Our chocolates are crafted without preservatives to ensure the freshest taste. We recommend consuming them within two to four weeks of purchase for optimal flavor and quality.
Store our chocolates in a cool, dry place between 60-66°F, away from direct sunlight. If extended storage is necessary, we recommend wrapping the chocolates tightly in air-tight packaging to prevent moisture exposure, and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Bring them to room temperature before unwrapping.
Yes, several of our Molten Drinking Chocolates contain no dairy, including Original, Oaxacan, and Mocha. They can be prepared without milk for a dairy-free treat. You can use water to highlight the pure chocolate flavors or try alternative milks like almond, oat, or soy for a creamy texture.
Customer Service and Policies
Due to the perishable nature of our products, we do not accept returns or exchanges. However, if there’s an issue with your order, please contact us within 24 hours of receipt, and we’ll work to resolve it promptly.
Yes, we provide volume discounts for larger corporate orders and custom gift boxes. For details, please contact our sales team at hello@mcacao.com.
Educational and Chocolate Knowledge
Bloom is a whitish film that can appear on the surface of chocolate due to fat or sugar rising to the surface due to improper storage. While it may affect the appearance, it does not impact the flavor, and the chocolate is safe to eat.
Tempering is the process of heating and cooling chocolate to stabilize its crystals, resulting in a glossy finish and a satisfying snap. Proper tempering ensures the chocolate sets correctly and maintains its quality over time. Tempering requires a combination of science, art, and black magic to perform successfully.
Artisanal chocolate is made in small batches with high-quality, often single-origin cacao, using traditional methods. At M. Cacao, we focus on craftsmanship and premium ingredients to create rich, complex flavors.
Our chocolate is sourced from carefully selected producers in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. We partner with suppliers who practice ethical and sustainable farming, ensuring fair wages and responsible environmental practices.
Ganache is a smooth mixture of chocolate and cream, often used as a filling in chocolates or pastries. Our ganaches are crafted to highlight bold flavors and luxurious textures.
Praliné is a mixture of caramelized nuts ground into a smooth paste, often combined with chocolate. It’s a key ingredient in some of our confections, adding a rich, nutty depth.