Imagine the opulence of the Court of King Louis XIV, hosting lavish balls and welcoming dignitaries from around Europe to the Palace of Versailles, France. Among the delicacies that were served were Bissinger’s chocolates. The family was granted the title of Confiseur Imperial (Confectioner of the Empire) by Louis. Those scratch-made, hand-crafted chocolate treats are still made today in St. Louis, Missouri. On this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we chat with Dan Abel, Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. We talk about what’s so special about their chocolates that still create demand 350 years later and how they keep up with the times to ensure the family-run company’s legacy.

Click on the Pinterest graphic above to listen to this Real Food Traveler Podcast whenever you want. Photo by Bissinger’s Handcragted Chocolatier. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

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Way back when, the ingredients used were, as Dan describes them, “clean” like sugar, cream and chocolate – no preservatives, all ingredients that grandmas would be familiar with, etc. And that continues today. He explains that the production area looks today very much like it has for hundreds of years, including use of big copper kettles for more even heat distribution. Every chocolate is hand-dipped and enrobed. That means the processes may be harder and take longer but that’s the way they like to keep things. There’s only one part of the process that is done by machine. You’ll find out what that is and the surprising reason why. Watch the video at the bottom of this article to see the Bissinger’s chocolate-making in action.

Our guest on the Real Food Traveler Podcast, Dan Abel, Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier.

Dan talks about some of the flavors that have been around for hundreds of years including their cream-filled bonbons – and why the creams are made so differently so that no one ever whines “oh, man, I got a cream-filled one!” We also have a mutual admiration moment over the chocolate dipped apricots. See the picture I took below for a glimpse.

Bissinger’s Chocolate Dipped Apricots are so plump and delicious. They may have been my favorite thing. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier goes beyond “just” chocolate. They have Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake, mints, toffee and gummy pandas. While continuing to make some of their old, old recipes that are favorites of generations of customers, they are also always looking at new flavors and creations to keep the business “fresh.”

Bissinger’s honors the past while keeping up with preferences of customers today.

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Find out where you can get Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier on their website. You can order directly from them (including on their app), shop some of their products at Barnes & Noble, through some department stores during the holidays and at around 1000 independent stores around the U.S. Follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.

The 1668 Collection is a great place to start exploring the traditions of Bissinger’s. The packaging alone lets you know you’re in for something special.

The Real Food Traveler Podcast is available on iTunes, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and wherever you like to listen.

-By Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor of RealFoodTraveler.com and Host of the Real Food Traveler Podcast. Photos are courtesy of Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier.