Based in Alderson (Greenbrier County), Kevbot Chocolate is an artisanal business owned/operated by chocolate-maker Kevin Johnson. His mission is to deliver a great bean-to-bar chocolate experience, transparently sourced, with a unique personality. He and his team’s purpose is to bring joy, simplicity, and peace of mind to the chocolate buying experience for today’s conscious consumers.

“This chocolate is so dangdigliyon good! It honestly feels like I am partaking in a self-care ritual with every bite. The flavors are exquisite and give my every cell a rush of the smileys.”

– Aikta in Ellicot City, MD.

Kevin tells us, “Our bars are vegan and each 2 oz bar has only three high-quality ingredients. It is important to us that the unique flavors of the cacao beans shine through. It’s incredible how different the flavors among beans can be – notes of banana in one, cherry in the next one, and even toasted marshmallow in another!” BONUS: Kevin and his team believe you should know exactly where your chocolate comes from. Each month’s offerings are sourced from growers who set their own goals for sustainability and social responsibility.

You can purchase Kevbot Chocolate in various locations!

You can purchase Kevbot Chocolate in downtown Lewisburg at Bella The Corner Gourmet. Tamera Pence, owner of Bella, tells us she and her staff love offering Kevbot Chocolate and says, “We all reach for this chocolate now as our go to!” She goes onto share, “They’re ethically sourced and his skill is superb as a chocolatier. The chocolates are smooth, rich, leaning on the dark side and delish! It is a hit at Bella’s!”

Kevbot is also available for purchase at Fruits of Labor Bakery and Café in Alderson, RiffRaff Arts Collective in Princeton, and West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery in Max Meadows, Virginia. More locations are coming soon!

Cacao is a traditional food (really a drink) crop that has been part of traditional agroforestry in Central and South America for thousands of years…

Kevin says he got his chocolate-making start by having a massive sweet tooth as a kid. He says chocolate was his favorite sweet by far. When he was a child, he visited the Hershey’s Factory in Pennsylvania which left a big impression on him. But what set him down the path of producing chocolate was his experience in Central America – first in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, and then working for Sustainable Harvest International. Kevin shares, “Cacao is a traditional food (really a drink) crop that has been part of traditional agroforestry in Central and South America for thousands of years. Cacao is produced by people, and support for transparently traded cacao makes a real difference in people’s lives and communities. When I came back to WV, I already had in mind that I wanted to connect my favorite place – West Virginia – with cacao producing communities in a creative and nourishing way.”

When it comes to revolutionizing the cacao industry, your job is the easiest and the tastiest.

So the key ingredient to Kevbot is social impact. Kevin sources all the cacao within the Uncommon Cacao network, which works with producers to guarantee better prices for farmers, reach sustainability goals, and empower cacao-producing communities to achieve equity. Cacao production is hard work and defines many people’s lives and so the stories behind Kevbot bars are as diverse as those of us who consume it.

When it comes to revolutionizing the cacao industry, your job is the easiest and the tastiest. We encourage you to pick up a bar or two or three of Kevbot Chocolate. Learn more about Kevin’s story, see current offerings, and if you cannot get to a local retailer you can shop online at kevbotchocolate.com.

– HashtagWV #139. February 2022.