SOMA Chocolatemaker

Distillery District Store: 32 Tank House Lane, Toronto
(416) 815-7662
King St. West Store: 443 King St. W., Toronto
(416) 599-7662
Cacao Bean Lab: 77 Brock Ave., Toronto
437-232-7662

Exploring Cacao, Origin and Flavour Since 2003

Long before bean-to-bar chocolate became a familiar part of Canada’s artisan food scene, David Castellan and Cynthia Leung were experimenting with cacao in a tiny corner of Toronto’s Distillery District. Their idea was straightforward but ambitious: create a small chocolate factory where they could explore new ways of making and enjoying chocolate.

They founded SOMA Chocolatemaker in 2003, roasting and winnowing cacao beans, refining and conching their own chocolate, while also making truffles, hot chocolate, gelato and baked goods. The original operation included a small retail space that opened during the day and folded away at night.

More than two decades later, SOMA has become one of Canada’s best-known craft chocolate makers, with three Toronto locations, a chocolate factory, wholesale distribution and an international following.

From Cacao Bean to Finished Chocolate in Toronto

At the centre of SOMA’s work is the cacao bean itself. Rather than simply purchasing finished couverture and transforming it into confections, the company makes chocolate from cacao beans, allowing it to explore how origin, variety, fermentation, roasting and production choices influence flavour.

That philosophy has produced an extensive collection ranging from single-origin and micro-batch bars to truffles, drinking chocolate, toffee, cookies, gelato and experimental creations. Current offerings include cacao from origins such as Venezuela, Madagascar and Vanuatu, alongside blends and flavoured chocolates.

International Recognition for Canadian Chocolate

SOMA’s approach has earned significant international recognition.

Its Porcelana dark chocolate received gold at the 2015 International Chocolate Awards World Final, along with special gold awards for Chocolate Maker and Directly Traded.

Then, in 2018, SOMA’s Guasare chocolate achieved one of the company’s most important honours. It was named the Best in Competition overall winner for plain/origin dark chocolate bars at the International Chocolate Awards World Final. Guasare also received gold in its category and special gold awards for both Chocolate Maker and Directly Traded.

SOMA continues to identify a wide range of its current products as award winners, including Arcana 100%, Bejofo Madagascar 70%, Guasare Venezuela 70%, Porcelana Venezuela 70% and Stratus with Icewine lees.

Cacao Sourcing and Relationships

Sourcing is another important part of SOMA’s chocolate-making philosophy. The company says it generally pays four to five times the International Cocoa Organization daily cocoa price for its cacao.

SOMA is also a founding member of the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative, which works to identify and preserve fine-flavoured cacao while supporting the growers responsible for cultivating it.

These relationships matter because SOMA’s chocolates frequently place the cacao origin at the centre of the experience. Instead of treating cacao simply as a raw ingredient, individual beans and growing regions become part of the flavour story.

A Toronto Destination for Chocolate

SOMA has grown considerably from its original Distillery District corner. Today, visitors can experience the company at the Distillery District shop, King Street West store and Cacao Bean Lab on Brock Avenue.

The company also offers public tastings at its chocolate factory, giving visitors an opportunity to explore cacao and chocolate-making more closely. Its reach extends well beyond Toronto. SOMA lists stockists across Canada as well as retailers in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Yet Toronto remains central to its identity. From roasting cacao beans to developing unusual bars, confections and desserts, the company continues to approach chocolate with the curiosity that defined its beginnings.

More than 20 years after David Castellan and Cynthia Leung started experimenting in the Distillery District, SOMA Chocolatemaker remains an important part of Canada’s bean-to-bar movement and one of the country’s most internationally recognized craft chocolate makers.

Visit: SOMA Chocolatemaker