OCHO Candy

February 5, 2015
Profiles,Stories

Let me start by saying I’m a candy factory fanatic. Since reading Steve Almond’s Candyfreak back in college, I’ve had dreams of touring the country in search of my favorite confection. When I discovered the OCHO Candy factory was located just across town here in Oakland, CA, I knew I had to check it out. You may have noticed OCHO candy bars in the chocolate aisle at your local Whole Foods or other neighborhood market. The bright, colorful wrapper stands out in a crowd and the same can surely be said of the taste. OCHO makes organic alternatives to traditional candy bars. I was pleasantly surprised to see that all their candy is actually handmade. That’s right, each and every bar is artfully molded with high quality chocolate and the centers hand piped with delicious fillings like crunchy peanut butter, caramel and coconut! You really can taste the difference – a certain homemade freshness, combined with the precision and consistency you expect from a traditional candy bar. I should say however, that despite being surrounded by caramel, coconut, peanut butter, and chocolate all morning, the best part of my time at OCHO was getting to meet the staff. Most employees live in and around the same Oakland neighborhood, not to mention still love eating the bars they make everyday. Pretty cool if you ask me.

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

ocho.oakland.candy.chocolate.5.1

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

OCHO | Organic Candy Bars by HonestlyYUM

(images by HonestlyYUM)

 

Conversation

Ok… I need to get my hands on some of those coconut ones because I’m a HUGE Mounds fan. What a fun experience this must have been and you captured it wonderfully!

You have to taste these. Ocho dark chocolate and coconut is hands down better than any chocolate bar I’ve ever eaten. Think Mounds, but richer and better. The peanut butter covered in milk chocolate is out of this world, too. Tastes like a richer, crunchy version of a Reese’s peanut butter cup.

Chocolate, local, organic, and they look really good in your photos! I’ve got to try them.