A lifelong chocolate lover, Dan Bieser set out to create the best chocolate imaginable from bean to bar. Using only the highest quality single origin cacao beans that are traded directly from farmers he’s met and formed relationships with in Central America, Tabal chocolate is made by hand at his fragrant shop in Wauwatosa. That’s where Dan and his employees sort their single origin cacao beans, roast and winnow them in a custom-made machine and then stone ground the cacao nibs for three days. It’s a long process that results in some of the best vegan, gluten free, soy free chocolate made with organically grown cacao beans in Milwaukee. And, for Tabal, it all starts with the farmer.

“We want to make the world a better place and to do that you have to give the farmer a fair price. When you have a big company that’s not paying the farmer a fair price those farmers essentially are like slaves to these big corporations.  So, we pay an above-market rate. We pay it direct to the farmer so they’re not losing money. If you want to support fairness in the world, fair trade, organic farming and high-quality food that’s minimally processed and flavorful this is the best way to do it.” For Dan, it’s a true labor of love that’s led to Tabal’s sweet success.