I started this blog at the urging of friends and family in April 2010 when my husband and I were given an opportunity to relocate in Maryland for one year. We have now returned home to Arizona and continue to walk by faith as we watch God orchestrate the adventures in our lives. I invite you to share in our adventures as we watch God at work!

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7



Tuesday, March 27

97/100... chocolate, the breakfast of champions!

If you have ever read Roald Dahl's children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or have seen the movie adaptation (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), you know every kid's fantasy is to run loose in a candy factory. Last week my friend, Dawn, and I visited the factory for Cerreta Fine Chocolates (#97 on my "100 things in Arizona" list) in Glendale. And I must admit, when they offered a free sample of any of their candies, I did feel a bit like a kid trying to decide which one to get.

Cerreta Fine Chocolates has been a family-owned and -operated valley establishment for over 40 years. Jim Cerreta, Sr. learned the candy-making business in Ohio before setting up shop in Glendale. He and Dawn, also an Ohioan, talked for awhile about people and places they both knew. Joe told us several fun stories- he's definitely a people person!

Four of Joe's sons, several daughters-in-law and quite a few grandchildren all work at the factory. He told us that his children and grandchildren have all learned the candy-making business from the ground up. And in fact, he himself often works the production line- a novel concept for quality control!

candy collage
Left- Joe Cerreta working the line. He put a stick in a marshmallow and placed it in the white chocolate "shower." You can see his granddaughter in the purple hoodie next to him.
Center- The marshmallow lollipop, after being showered with white chocolate, rolls through a shaker.
Right- The granddaughter (her hand) took the marshmallow lollipop off the shaker belt and rolled it in sprinkles before placing it on another conveyor belt where everything hardens.

Like many factories, Cerreta's has quite a few conveyor belts transporting all kinds of candy through different processes. And "conveyor belt" and "candy factory" remind me of the I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel work in a candy factory taking candy off a conveyor belt and the resulting mayhem. Yep, we laughed out loud! And so do the Cerretas as they had a photo of that episode hanging on the machine!

lollipops!
Everyone had a big smile and seemed to enjoy working at Cerreta's.

Dawn and I were fairly certain that we wouldn't care for the sugar-laden marshmallow lollipop we were offered but we each took one to be polite. We took a small nibble... and another... and another... and pretty soon we were sucking the stick to get every gooey morsel off. Yeah, they were THAT good! 

After the tour, we shopped in the store portion of the factory. I bought a couple of several different kinds and liked them all. Their chocolate candies are smooth and creamy without being overly sweet. The candy definitely gets two thumbs up!

cerreta's collage

Thumb Up or Down: UP!!
Miles Round Trip: 62.6 miles
Miles to Date: 4125.1 miles
Percent of List Completed: 39%
Date of This Trip: March 20, 2012
Posted by Kristin at 11:10 PM
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2 comments:

  1. Mike and LaurieMarch 29, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    You find the best places. I did not even know there was a candy place in town you could tour. I think the "I Love Lucy" picture is a hoot!

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  2. KristinApril 1, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Thanks, "Laurie!" I think Cerreta's would be a great place to take kids- although there were more adults on the tour and they all seemed to enjoy it. You can purchase some of their candy at local retailers- AJ's, Desert Botanical Gardens, I think Bashas, etc. Try it... you'll like it!

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