A Sweet Saunter Down Chocolate Lane

HAPA Chocolat: An Origin Story

Charlotte Kryska, the visionary behind HAPA Chocolat, perceives cacao farming through the eyes of those who cultivate it. Raised in San Jose, her family’s holidays were spent traversing Europe, visiting the likes of Germany, France, and the Czech Republic. With Japanese heritage, journeys often included Japan as well. Her diverse cultural exposure kindled a desire to pursue a culinary path, eventually leading her to Le Cordon Bleu in London, a city she always yearned to call home.

The Sweet Allure of Chocolate

During her studies in London, Kryska discovered an intrigue for chocolate, particularly the farming process that mirrors the terroir concept akin to wine. Crafting a paper on chocolate intrigued her further. This fascination stayed with her as she returned to the States and embarked on her professional journey at Alexander’s Patisserie in Mountain View, beginning as an assistant chocolatier and later sustaining the department solo when her mentor departed. The dream of owning a bean-to-bar chocolate enterprise began to take root.

The Croissant Crafter

The prospect of launching her business in 2020 faced unexpected hurdles. Thus, Kryska took her skills to Voyager Craft Coffee in San Jose by the end of 2021, embarking on a journey as a baker. Her croissant creations, including classic butter, chocolate, guava and cream cheese, and an egg variety, gained legendary status among patrons. While her baking prowess flourished, her passion for chocolate simmered alongside.

Divine Chocolate Flavours

Voyager’s benevolence allowed Kryska to revisit her chocolate dreams, wherein her delectable bars began to take shape in their kitchen. Four distinctive flavours emerged: spice cake, cherry, toasted almond praline, and MBP (mango, banana, pineapple), each a testament to her creative genius. Sourcing ingredients from around the globe, Kryska’s connections with Dandelion Chocolate and Raaka Chocolate ensure ethical and top-tier cacao.

Raaka’s unroasted beans, known for their vivid and fruity taste, became the linchpin of her Cherry On Top bar, while Dandelion’s offerings enriched her other creations.

The Chocolate Adventure

HAPA Chocolat offers a $40 sampler pack for the curious taste enthusiasts. This includes a bar of each flavour accompanied by a board game for a delightful tasting journey. Kryska welcomes everyone to explore the art of chocolate tasting, be it earnestly or with leisurely enjoyment.

A Future Filled with Sweet Aspirations

Priced at $10 each, Kryska’s bars are available on her website, with local delivery perks. Currently, the toasted almond praline bar enjoys favour, surpassing even the spice cake variety. Kryska envisions expanding her lineup with unique concoctions like a salty, spicy ginger bar, contingent upon finding ideal chocolate for her creations.

The crafting process for each flavour is meticulous; her Cherry On Top bar alone underwent nine iterations. Kryska credits her boyfriend Sam, a discerning friend, and her supportive aunt, Coline, for their invaluable taste-testing contributions.

Envisioning a Chocolate Wonderland

Ultimately, Kryska aspires to open a physical shop, joining the esteemed ranks of bean-to-bar chocolatiers. Her current setup, however, isn’t conducive to such ambitions. Thus, the search for the perfect location in the South Bay continues. Until then, one can indulge in her innovative creations online, as she paves her path in the chocolate world, one unique bar at a time.