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A Peek Inside Jacques Torres’ New York City Chocolate Museum

March 18, 2017
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2 min read
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A Peek Inside Jacques Torres’ New York City Chocolate Museum
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New York City is home to some of the world’s most famous museums. Now, it’s added one of the most delicious to its cultural roster, with the opening of Choco-Story New York: The Chocolate Museum and Experience with Jacques Torres. It's the brainchild of legendary chocolatier Jacques Torres and Eddy Van Belle, a chocolate lover who has opened four other Choco-Story museums around the world — the Big Apple edition is located at Torres’ popular SoHo shop on Hudson Street. And while there’s plenty of chocolate to be tasted, the museum is dedicated to teaching its sweet-toothed visitors how their favorite treat made the journey from bean to bar.

Hot chocolate the old-fashioned way: ground by hand. Image courtesy of Kevin Chiu/Jacques Torres.

A range of ancient Mayan and Aztec artifacts, some dating all the way back to 250 BC, helps illustrate the history of the cacao bean, from initial cultivation to modern-day consumption (for a long time, chocolate was solely in the culinary domain of gods and nobility, which seems only right). Don’t worry — there’s plenty of time for tasting, too; visitors can sample of range of premium chocolates, including blend and single origin chocolates in white, milk and dark varieties; fresh, hand-ground Mayan hot chocolate; and handmade chocolate truffles. The museum offers chocolate bar-making classes to its visitors and is an all-ages, totally hands-on experience.

The hands-on museum lets visitors make their own chocolate bars. Image courtesy of Kevin Chiu/Jacques Torres.

“I’m so passionate about all things chocolate that I can think of nothing better than having the opportunity to share my knowledge and its history,” Torres said in a press release of the impetus for the museum.

Chocolate as you've never tasted it before. Image courtesy of Kevin Chiu/Jacques Torres.

Ready to stop reading and start eating? Choco-Story New York is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and you can purchase your tickets ahead of time through the website. Feel free to show your thanks by sending any leftover chocolates our way.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.