Raaka Chocolate

- 58 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

For New Yorkers seeking a truly unique and deeply flavorful chocolate experience, the journey leads straight to Raaka Chocolate, an innovative small-batch factory nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn. Raaka is not just a chocolate shop; it is a full-fledged bean-to-bar chocolate factory and an educational hub, pioneering the art of unroasted dark chocolate in the city. By skipping the traditional roasting step, Raaka allows the pure, fruit-forward flavors inherent in high-quality, single-origin cacao to shine through, resulting in a product that is cleaner, brighter, and undeniably delicious.

As a dedicated small business, Raaka has built a reputation not only for its exceptional and ethically sourced chocolate but also for its commitment to transparency and education. Visitors are invited to step behind the scenes of the chocolate-making process, transforming a simple purchase into an immersive, hands-on experience. The business has consciously ensured its facility is a friendly space for many dietary needs, proudly operating as a dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free facility, making its products accessible to the vegan and allergy-aware community in New York.

The core philosophy of Raaka revolves around minimizing processing to maximize flavor. This focus on simpler, purer ingredients—often just unroasted cacao beans and organic cane sugar—sets their bars apart in the crowded landscape of gourmet chocolate. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick visit to pick up a bar or dedicating an entire afternoon to one of their highly-rated classes, Raaka Chocolate provides a sweet and memorable adventure right here in the heart of Brooklyn.

Raaka Chocolate is conveniently located at 58 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA. Situated in Red Hook, a neighborhood known for its artistic community, industrial roots, and waterfront views, the factory is a worthwhile destination for any local or visitor in the New York area. The location allows for an authentic, neighborhood-based shopping and factory experience that is distinct from the typical Manhattan retail storefront.

Accessibility is a key priority for Raaka Chocolate, ensuring that everyone can easily enjoy their offerings. The facility includes a wheelchair accessible entrance, demonstrating a commitment to welcoming all members of the community. For those driving, the factory's location in Red Hook offers more manageable transit and parking options than central Brooklyn or Manhattan. The atmosphere is designed for a quick visit—perfect for New Yorkers grabbing a morning treat or a spontaneous afternoon outing—but the compelling factory tours often encourage a longer, more detailed stay.

The offerings at Raaka Chocolate extend well beyond simply selling chocolate bars. They provide a comprehensive, modern retail experience combined with engaging on-site educational opportunities:

• In-Store Shopping: The retail shop features a wide selection of unroasted dark chocolate bars, exclusive factory-only flavors, and other related merchandise.
• Curbside Pickup and In-Store Pickup: For convenience, customers can place orders ahead of time and pick them up quickly, whether at the curb or inside the shop.
• Delivery: Raaka offers delivery services, making their specialty chocolate available to the wider New York region and beyond.
• Onsite Services (Classes and Factory Experiences): The factory frequently hosts various hands-on chocolate-making classes and pairing experiences (see Features/Highlights below).
• Payment Options: The shop accepts all major modern payment types, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Raaka Chocolate distinguishes itself in the New York gourmet food scene through several unique features, emphasizing quality, process, and community engagement. These highlights make it a must-visit spot in Brooklyn:

• Pioneering Unroasted Chocolate: The primary feature is their dedication to making chocolate without roasting the cacao beans. This method preserves the beans' natural, vibrant, and fruity flavor notes—a stark contrast to the deeper, richer flavors of traditionally roasted chocolate.
• Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Making Class: This immersive, hands-on cooking class is a major draw. For approximately $115 per person (starting price), participants spend 3.5 to 4 hours learning the entire process—from selecting the raw cacao beans to grinding, flavoring, and molding their own bespoke chocolate bars, which they get to take home. Customer reviews consistently praise this as an educational and unforgettable experience.
• Extensive Class Offerings: Beyond the flagship 'Bean-to-Bar' class, Raaka offers a rotating calendar of specialized classes and tastings, including:
  • Hand-Rolled Chocolate Truffle Making (approx. $90 per person, 1.5 hours)
  • Hand-Churned Ice Cream Making (approx. $100 per person, 1.5 hours)
  • Wine & Chocolate Pairing Class (approx. $70 per person, 1 hour, 21+ only)
  • Coffee Cupping & Chocolate Pairing Experience (approx. $65 per person, 1 hour)
  • Chocolate & Local Beer Tasting Class (approx. $65 per person, 1 hour, 21+ only)
• Dietary Friendliness: The factory is known to be dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, making it a secure choice for those with common food allergies or those maintaining a vegan diet.
• Single-Origin and Transparency: Raaka focuses on high-quality, traceable, and transparently traded single-origin cacao. This practice highlights the unique flavor profiles of different global growing regions and supports sustainable, fair practices for cacao producers.

For New Yorkers interested in visiting the factory, booking a class, or placing an order, please use the following contact details:

Address: 58 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

Phone: (855) 255-3354 (or +1 855-255-3354)

Store Hours (as of public data): Mon-Thu: 11am-4pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-6pm

For a first-time visitor to Raaka Chocolate, two experiences stand out as absolutely essential, representing the best of what this Red Hook factory has to offer:

The definitive choice is booking the Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Making Class (starting at $115/person). This is not merely a lecture; it is a full immersion into the craft. Attendees get to experience the entire process—from tasting different cacao beans and understanding the unroasted difference, to grinding and finally pouring their own flavored bars. It is a highly educational and fun way to spend 3.5 to 4 hours, and you leave with not only profound knowledge but also delicious, customized chocolate.

For those short on time, a second must-try is sampling their unique, unroasted chocolate bars in the retail shop. Look for their seasonal or limited-edition bars, which showcase creative flavor combinations and the distinct fruity notes of their single-origin beans. Highly recommended classic bars include the Maple & Nibs ($8.00) or the Pink Sea Salt ($7.00), which beautifully exemplify the clean, simple ingredient list and bold flavor that unroasted chocolate delivers. If you are looking for a hot beverage, the Double Dark Hot Chocolate ($15.00) is a luxurious factory exclusive worth trying.

Finally, consider one of the specialized tasting and pairing sessions, such as the Wine & Chocolate Pairing Class or the Coffee Cupping & Chocolate Pairing. These short, one-hour classes are an excellent way to deepen your appreciation for flavor complexities and learn how to taste chocolate like a professional, making a quick visit truly impactful.

Raaka Chocolate

58 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA