Discover the fascinating journey of chocolate, from its origins in the cacao bean to the indulgent finished truffle. In this interactive, one-hour program at The Morton Arboretum, learn how cacao is grown, harvested, and transformed into the rich dark chocolate we love today.
Participants will explore the known benefits of dark chocolate and sample raw cacao and different chocolate types, gaining a new appreciation for this complex ingredient. The experience culminates with a decadent tasting of a hand-finished truffle, celebrating chocolate’s full evolution from bean to bar and beyond.
Chocolate samples are included in the cost of the program.
Instructor: Cathy Bouchard, founder, Le Chocolat du Bouchard
Age: 16 and older
Course number: E106
Instructor
Cathy Bouchard, founder, Le Chocolat du Bouchard
Cathy Bouchard is the founder of Le Chocolat du Bouchard in Naperville, Illinois, and a leading authority on the health benefits of cacao and dark chocolate. After discovering the transformative power of high-cacao dark chocolate while overcoming fibromyalgia, she made it her mission to share chocolate’s wellness potential. Since 2004, Cathy has hosted over 300 seminars—including on cruise ships—and created a destination chocolate shop, café, and patisserie that blends European style with chocolate science. Her signature “Chocolate Regimen™” showcases how dark chocolate can be both delicious and good for you, reflecting her passion for education, innovation, and the art of fine chocolate.
What to Know
This program is held indoors.
The cost of this program includes a hot chocolate, a four-pack box of truffles, and assorted bean-to-bar chocolate samples.
Participants are encouraged to register online in advance, as space is limited.
Program Schedule
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Cudahy Room, Administration and Research Center (parking lot P-1), East Side
