New York Gets Its First Chocolate Museum

If you're in New York City and have a craving for some chocolate, there are plenty of establishments that can satisfy that desire, from Max Brenner near Union Square to The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn. But if you're interested in learning about the rich and creamy history of the sweet (and maybe want to eat some too), then you might want to visit Choco-Story New York, The Chocolate Museum and Experience with Jacques Torres.

The SoHo museum opened its doors on Tuesday to chocolate fans hungry for sweet trivia. Unlike last year's Museum of Ice Cream, the establishment offers little in the way of photo-ops, but plenty of information and artifacts regarding the history and origin of chocolate. Fans can walk through the maze of information that covers everything from chocolate's place in Mayan and Aztec cultures, to when we first started using the beans in candy (surprisingly not until the 1800s). There are also cacao trees, ancient artifacts, and vintage cooking supplies to ogle, all before the main attraction: eating chocolate.

Guests can make their own old-fashioned hot cocoa and watch chefs demonstrate the elaborate process of making bonbons. For an extra fee, visitors can also partake in a chocolate bar making class taught by an actual chocolatier.

You can visit Choco-Story New York at 350 Hudson Street. It's open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 10 a.m., which means you have official permission to eat dessert before dinner—and lunch.

Images courtesy of Kevin Chiu.