The Chocolatarium

So, you’re in Edinburgh, taking a stroll down the famous Royal Mile when the smell of chocolate comes floating by. The deeply roasted cocoa mixed with the sweet sugar awakens all your senses, especially your tastebuds.

And once that craving is kicked into gear, there’s only one thing that will satisfy you now, and it’s waiting at The Chocolatarium.

Smells of chocolate drifting on the wind

Just a minute or so from the Royal Mile, the micro chocolate factory fills Edinburgh’s Old Town with the smells of the divine, day in and day out.

Then, when you begin to make your way down Cranston Street, all those smells become even more intense. Just follow your nose and you’ll inevitably end up at the doors of The Chocolatarium, mouth-watering and an appetite raging.

On the Tour of Chocolate, you’ll get to learn all about the journey of the chocolate-making process, all the way from bean to bar.

Many months before you tear away the wrapper and break a chunk off, chocolate begins as a fruit growing on a tree – the cacao tree to be exact.

A lot more happens after that, but we don’t want to spoil all the surprises, so we’ll leave that up to you to find out.

What chocolate wonder will you make?

After learning how it goes from the bitter beans to the luxurious chocolate we know, it’s time to have a go at creating your own!

We’re sure Willy Wonka’s got nothing on you, and by the time you’re finished you’ll have an edible masterpiece on your hands – maybe even a chocolate Edinburgh Castle if you fancy it.

You won’t believe the incredible history of chocolate. From thousands of years ago, through the ages of the Aztecs and into the modern day, chocolate has always played a significant role in the lives of humans.

Now, it’s time to get tasting. There’s a selection of chocolates to get your hands on, from dark to milk, Japanese to chilli – why not try a little of everything?

A little treat

Chocolate truffles require a little more hands-on work, but the moment you drop one onto your tongue and feel the silky outside slip away and the centre revealed - well, that’s an experience hard to match.

A day of chocolate awaits, and it’s not every day you get to say that. So, indulge yourself for a moment, and tuck into the luxuries of life. Because, why not?