What to check before booking a chocolate factory tour
Updated September 2026
Before booking a chocolate factory tour, check what the ticket includes and where the tour takes place. A guided tasting, a view of production and a make-your-own chocolate class are different activities. Look for the specific experience you're hoping to have.
At French Broad Chocolates, our tour combines a guided tasting of bean-to-bar chocolate and a handcrafted bonbon with a look inside our Asheville Chocolate Factory. Allow about 45 minutes and arrive 10 minutes early to check in.
Find out what you can see
Ask whether the tour explains how cacao becomes chocolate and which stages you'll be able to observe. Fermentation and drying happen before cacao reaches our Chocolate Factory. Here in Asheville, our guide explains cleaning, roasting, winnowing, grinding, conching, tempering and finishing.
You'll look through the production glass and learn what the equipment does. What you see running depends on what the team is making that day. That distinction matters when you're planning a visit to a working factory.
Look at the tasting details
Check whether tasting is included in the ticket and whether everyone in your group needs one. Our guide leads a tasting of our bean-to-bar chocolate and a handcrafted bonbon, using a flavor wheel to help describe what you notice.
Let the tour team know about allergies and accessibility needs during the reservation process. Review the current age guidance and ticket information when you choose a date. Don't assume that a general factory tour includes pouring your own bar, handling production equipment or taking home something you made.
Check the address before setting off
Our tours take place at the Chocolate Factory & Cafe, 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28801. The Chocolate Lounge at 10 South Pack Square is a separate location.
Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled start. Guests who arrive 10 or more minutes late cannot join the tour. Use the address in your reservation for directions and allow time to check in.
The tour welcomes wheelchairs and service animals. For a group question or a specific access need, contact our team before booking.
Bring a question you're curious about
You might ask how the team chooses a roast, why two 70% bars taste different, or what conching changes. Our roaster originally roasted hazelnuts; ask your guide how it was adapted for cacao.
After the tasting, you can choose a favorite chocolate to take home from the Chocolate Factory & Cafe. Check our locations page for current opening hours, and use the tour booking page to review available dates, prices and cancellation terms.