Page 15 - made-in-portland

July 25, 2013 MADE IN PORTLAND 15
MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATES
By KYLIE WRAY
The Tribune
Moonstruck Chocolate Co., a Port-
land chocolatier, began 20 years
ago with the goal of providing
fine “chocolates that would not
only taste exquisite, but that would look ex-
ceptional, as well.”
Moonstruck’s original owners had the vi-
sion of two lovers sharing a two-piece truffle
that would speak to love and end in a euro-
pean quality chocolate experience.
Moonstruck does not use artificial ingre-
dients in its pure chocolate blend, which, de-
spite its goal to make fine european style
truffles accessible
to as many people
as possible, drives
the price up. To
counter this di-
lemma, Moon-
struck has a line
of chocolate bars
that are available
in most grocery
stores. According
to Matthew Gil-
lespie, director of
brand marketing,
the chocolate bars help introduce consum-
ers to their product at a low price, then they
can experience and discover the premium
gift collection and can either give fine choc-
olate as a gift, or self indulge.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary,
Moonstruck releases a special truffle every
month. The truffles can be found in any of
their four cafes in the area — two in down-
town Portland, one in Northwest Portland,
and another at Beaverton Town Square.
According to Gillespie, at the end of the
year, it is likely that all the of truffles will be
available to buy in a collection.
In addition to its anniversary truffles,
Moonstruck has made two new additions to
its treasure trove of chocolates. It has re-
cently begun a line of dark chocolate beer
berries. The malted wheat berries are pro-
vided by local breweries. The taste is similar
to a chocolate covered espresso bean, but
without the heavy crunch, said Gillespie.
“There is a better chocolate-to-berry ratio.”
The tumbled beer berries are sold in Moon-
struck cafes and specialty grocery stores.
But the boozy chocolate selection does not
end with beer berries, Moonstruck recently
developed a line of chocolate partnering
with Portland’s Distillery Row, nine Oregon
distilleries including Bull Run Distillery,
Rogue Ale House and House Spirits. With
this collection, Moonstruck is embarking on
a new channel: these truffles are 2.5 percent
alcohol per net weight.
In Oregon, products with that high of an
alcohol content can only be sold in liquor
stores. But Gillespie says early indications
are showing that there is a huge demand for
what they are doing. He thinks that the com-
pany is introducing the Oregon distillery in
a new way.
According to Gillespie, artisan chocolate
and artisan liquor come together in a per-
fect marriage: art meets art.
Portland chocolatier branches out on its 20th anniversary
with beer berries, alcohol-infused truffles
Moonstruck’s new alcohol-infused line of truffles is
introducing the Oregon distillery in a new way.
Moonstruck
Chocolate Co.
6600 N. Baltimore
Ave., Portland 97203
PHONE:
800-557-MOON
moonstruck
chocolate.com
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Portland’s Moonstruck Chocolates is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a collection of truffles at its local stores.The company also is selling
alcohol-infused truffles at places where liquor is sold.