In most of the world where Valentine’s Day is celebrated, couples and friends give each other chocolates as the must-have gift. Chocolate has been commonly believed to be a mood booster since the era of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations centuries ago. The chocolate we know and love today comes from the pods of cacao trees, which grow in a small band around the equator, known as the “Cocoa Belt. From seed to tree is a process of some five to seven years.
The transformation into edible chocolate is complex. First, cacao pods are harvested and the beans inside are fermented and dried, then roasted. The resulting “nibs” are then ground to a paste, which is then combined with sugar, cocoa butter and/or other ingredients, finally tempered and molded.
Here in Denver, Deiter’s Chocolates, in the University of Denver neighborhood, has been serving artisanal chocolates for decades in the same location. Formerly known as Dietrich’s Chocolates and Espresso, Liza Benson moved from the Bay Area in 2019 to buy the business after the previous owner retired. Benson notes that Deiters is a family business along with her parents, her brother and his wife.
Some sixty percent of the shop’s customers are returning customers, and many faculty members from DU as well as families of DU students are frequenters. “Students occasionally shop with us - particularly during finals when they need a pick- me-up or a reward. Some of their favorites include Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, Sour Gummi Piglets, Coconut Bars, and Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows,” Benson says.
While the new ownership honors the traditions of Dietrich’s, Benson says that the intention is blending the old with the new. Many of our handcrafted items are the same items made at Dietrich's, and we still make many of the truffle flavors created by Eric Dietrich. But our chocolatiers created their own recipes using higher-quality chocolate and ingredients. We have also introduced new truffle flavors. For example, Rocky Mountain Road truffle (our take on Rocky Road ice cream) and Strawberry.”
The shop is charming, with a turquoise and gold color scheme. Elegant, yet unpretentious and welcoming. On a recent visit, I was enticed to try such exotic dark chocolate truffle flavors as Mango Chili, Marzipan Truffle and Cherry Balsamic. With a nod to the shop’s neighbors, Kaladi Coffee Roasters, Deiter’s sells truffles made with Kaladi’s coffee. Another Colorado tie-in is the Palisade Peach truffle in both milk and dark chocolate. One of the biggest sellers are the Rocky Mountain truffles with the edible state flag decoration. “DU parents love those,” Benson notes.
Consistently, the shop’s top three sellers are Truffles, Caramel Nut Sliders (commonly known as ‘turtles,’) and 4 ounce chocolate bars. Deiters offers subscriptions with 3, 6 or 12 month durations, as well as custom orders for wedding favors, corporate logos, etc. Naturally, Benson is a chocolate lover herself. “My personal favorites are truffles in general, especially the Brown Butter Salted Pecan and the Kaladi Coffee truffles.” As a person who enjoys a dark chocolate and cup of coffee each morning before breakfast, I am eager to try more of Deiters chocolates this Valentines Day and beyond!
deiterschocolates.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 10-5.
liza@deiterschocolates.com