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Dilettante Chocolates
Seattle, Washington
- Maker Type:
- Artisan Chocolate
- Region:
- Puget Sound Metropolitan
- Signature Product:
- Ephemere Chocolate
- Year Founded:
- 1976
From Our Archive: Founded in 1976 by Dana Davenport in Seattle’s vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood, Dilettante Chocolates began as a humble storefront that introduced the city to its very first mocha experience. Drawing on decades of family confectionery knowledge preserved in hand-written "Master Notebooks," Davenport perfected Dilettante's signature flavor: Ephemere. This intensely savory, velvety blend of caramelized butter, sugar, and cream quickly became the foundation of their iconic heirloom truffles.
Dilettante's masterful creations soon garnered international acclaim, winning top honors at the 1982 National Fancy Food Show in New York and earning a feature on PBS with Julia Child, filmed right in their Seattle Central District factory. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand expanded its premium offerings to include locally sourced, chocolate-covered Pacific Northwest cherries and apricots, and eventually launched the immersive Dilettante Mocha Cafés in downtown Seattle. Decades later, Dilettante's dedication to exquisite, artisan craftsmanship continues to be a celebrated piece of Washington's culinary history.
Ethically Sourced Chocolate - partners with Cocoa Horizons, so they can ensure that the cocoa they use is ethically sourced and produced in an environmentally responsible manner that benefits both farmers and chocolate consumers.
Rainforest Alliance - this partnership contributes to environmental preservation, improves their supply chain sustainability, and positively impacts local communities. Overall, their partnership with Rainforest Alliance drives positive environmental and business outcomes.