“ For me , chocolate is an experience . One that transports you beyond what you expect .”
He said that he uses just a few simple ingredients as he makes chocolates , preferring to focus on the flavor of the beans .
“ The beans are so different from community to community , and that ’ s really exciting ,” Johnson stated . “ Some of them can have a note of blueberries . Some taste like Oreos and some really taste like citrus , red fruit berries and even blackberries .”
“ I always tell folks who haven ’ t tried craft chocolate to try the plain version before they try the flavored version , because they might realize that plain , unflavored chocolate is pretty awesome on its own . Sometimes people are amazed by those ,” he added .
As for his favorite chocolate , he said he has a difficult time choosing because he loves them all . But , he did say that the first chocolate he fell in love with came from the Oko Caribe cooperative in the Dominican Republic .
“ It tastes almost like fudge ,” Johnson said . “ When I have a tough day , I will eat some of that . I am a proponent of breakfast chocolate , so I just kind of joke that I have chocolate for breakfast , but I am totally not kidding ,” he laughed . “ It ’ s a great way to start the day .”
Another type that Johnson said he loves is from the ADIOESMAC cooperative in Cahabon – a region in Guatemala .
“ It just has the most complex flavor . It has some of the red fruit flavor in it , but also , to me , it has an interesting lemony note to it .”
While craft chocolate might seem intimidating to some , Johnson said that he isn ’ t about being “ fancy .” “ I really believe in fun and flavor ,” Johnson said , adding that is why he chose to place a robot on his product packaging and name his business Kevbot Chocolate .
Also , he said it ’ s important to him that the chocolate is made in West Virginia .
“ I think it ' s easy to feel like our communities here in the mountains aren ’ t connected to something like that , but there are so many natural connections to where our cacao comes from and where we live , how we live and our traditions . So , I just want to help people feel connected
to that .”
Lastly , he said that he believes in transparent trade , which supports communities while being good for both people and the Earth .
“ For me , chocolate is an experience . One that transports you beyond what you expect . At the same time , you are sharing your love with everybody who has touched it , including yourself . I think it ' s a love letter to the Earth and the people who make that chocolate .”
To learn more about Kevbot Chocolate , or make
408 Timberidge Drive , Beckley , West Virginia 304-252-5452
Johnson , who practices sustainability , says , “ The beans are so different from community to community , and that ’ s really exciting .”
an online purchase , visit Johnson ’ s website at kevbotchocolate . com or call 304-449-4550 .
Products are also sold at the Tamarack in Beckley , Bella the Corner Gourmet in Lewisburg , Fruits of Labor in Alderson , The RiffRaff Art Boutique in Princeton , Studio B in Fayetteville and West Wind Farm in Wythe County , Va .
“ I love hearing from people . So , if you have crazy ideas – I will take crazy ideas ,” Johnson said – just in time for Valentine ’ s Day .
Dr . Greg Harvey DDS
BOTOX • DERMAL FILLERS • AESTHETIC TREATMENTS info @ harveyaesthetics . com
304-527-8887 103 Beckley Plaza , Beckley , WV25801 www . harveyaesthetics . com
Owner & Aesthetics Injector
JANUARY-FEBRUARY ’ 23 � SOUTH � 35