Raleigh & The Chocolate Factory

When Sam Ratto first opened Videri Chocolate Factory, he had no culinary resume or official training. But after 15 years, it’s safe to say it worked out.

After moving to Raleigh at the tail-end of the 2008 recession, Sam first developed his love for the craft over at Escazú Chocolates. Sam says in a podcast from Dirt NC, that until 2009 he “didn’t even know cacao beans grew on a tree.”

But just a few years later, he formed his first business plan, used his newfound cacao bean knowledge, and found an investor to help open the doors at Videri for the very first time.

Videri is one of only a handful of bean-to-bar chocolate makers in North Carolina. In fact, in 2011 there were fewer than 2-dozen of these across the entire country.

What adds to their craft is that they don’t use fillers either. Things like added emulsifiers, xanthan gum, or artificial flavorings are not part of the process.

In short, it means that the chocolate factory controls the entire manufacturing process after purchasing the beans.

That means that right here in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Videri operates the entire process of creating high-quality, hand-crafted chocolate. Their 4,000 sq/ft space is home to this process.

Plus, you can even see it yourself.

If you take a look at the lettering at the top of their front door, you may notice a unique address: 327 W. Davie Street, Sweet 100.

You can walk in any day after 10 AM to see their space with a self-guided tour or you can book a full experience and let their staff walk you through instead!

Whichever one you decide, make sure to check out their signage over on the Black and White Coffee side of the shop! They list every restaurant and store in Raleigh that you can try their chocolate at as well.

One of the important highlights here is the effort the team at Videri goes through to ensure their process is ethical. Before their operation can begin, they make sure that the beans are sourced sustainably and that wages are fair.

Since opening, the team has made multiple trips out to meet the farmers involved in this process. They’ve made it to Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and many other origins across the world.

After sourcing, they continue to work with local ingredients, when finally they put their products in sustainable packaging (which, as far as I can tell, is also done in-house at their factory downtown).

Sometimes, you really just have to taste the difference.

Even just online, you can find Bonbon boxes, chocolate-covered hazelnuts, the “Very Hot” Sweet-Spicy-Crunchy Chocolate Bar, and if you wait until Christmas (they also turn 15 this year), you’ll find a holiday favorite: Peppermint Chocolate.

My advice though? Go in person.

The chocolate factory smell, the free self-guided tour, and the experience of simply being in such a unique space makes it worth the trip.

Anyway, I think I’ve said enough. Plus, their work really can speak for itself.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, a celebration, or just want to see their chocolate factory downtown, check out their website down at the button below.

The story above is not sponsored — when they are, we’ll always tell you.

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