Happy Holidays + 2022 In Review
A Note From Shawn Askinosie & Lawren Askinosie
Each year, during the busyness of the holidays, we take time to sit down together and write a note of thanks to you, our customers. It’s our way of stopping for a moment and focusing on what matters to our company: creating ethical craft chocolate for those who love it.
2022 was a year of great growth and goodness for our little company. In May, Shawn returned to Tanzania, our first origin trip in two-and-a-half years. Reuniting in person with our amazing farmer partners, visiting their shambas (farms), and connecting with Empowered Girls and Enlightened Boys students was an amazing way to kick off our 15-Year Anniversary celebration, which culminated in a Mayoral Proclamation naming an official Askinosie Chocolate Day in Springfield, MO!
We are excited that our Chocolate University Business Immersion trips will resume this Summer– several amazing local high school students will travel to Mababu with Shawn and will learn about ethical entrepreneurship directly while working alongside our farmer partners on cacao business and community development projects.
This year marked the release of some incredible craft chocolate bars, including the third iteration of our beloved Criollo Zeke Bars; our new-favorite Strawberry and Pineapple Dark Chocolate Bar; and our Cranberry Sauce and Sweet Potato Pie Seasonal White Chocolate Bars. We also released the Holiday version of our bestselling Chocolate Tasting Kit, which features five festive bars that capture the flavors of the season. Our Barrel Aged Dark Chocolate Bar won big, capturing a Gold Specialty Food Award, an International Chocolate Award, and an Academy of Chocolate award!
We were honored to be featured in Forbes, Imbibe, The Strategist, and many other publications along with several of our craft chocolate colleagues doing great work and making great chocolate. Askinosie Natural Cocoa Powder was the subject of study by a Missouri State University research scientist. He published a paper indicating that cocoa may be a remedy to help reduce migraine pain!
Above all, we were inspired, encouraged, and uplifted by YOU. It has been a record-breaking holiday season for us, thanks to your orders. Our wholesale partners around the country created truly gorgeous chocolate displays. On social media, you shared your go-to recipes made with Askinosie ingredients and unboxed many gifts. Your creativity and excitement inspired us, leading us to create some of our most inventive and best-loved chocolate offerings ever.
We have many exciting announcements and incredible things in store for next year, and we can’t wait to share them with you. Until then, we wish you the happiest of holidays.
