Chocolates Pérez

Who they are

Chocolates Pérez is the brand of Herederos de Gaspar Pérez, a family-run artisan chocolate factory in Villajoyosa with the motto "master chocolate makers since 1892". Chocolate has been made in the town since the late 18th century, and Gaspar Pérez Pérez devoted himself to making and selling it during the 19th century until he founded the house in that year. Today it is run by the fourth generation of the family. It is one of the three chocolate factories still standing in Villajoyosa, out of the more than thirty there once were, and it keeps the hand-supervision of every stage of production, as its ancestors did. It carries the Valencian Community Craftsmanship seal and the "Chocolate made in Villajoyosa" mark.

The factory and the museum

The house opens its factory, in the Mediases area on the outskirts, to show how chocolate is made and how the main raw materials are worked: cocoa, almonds and milk. The tour includes its museum, with panels on the history of cocoa, from its origins in the Americas, and on the stages of its transformation. The visit is guided and ends at the factory shop. It suits both families and groups, who must arrange it beforehand.

The website does not publish the price, duration or maximum group size, nor whether there is a tasting or programmes for schools. Nor does it give languages: the website is in Spanish and some blog posts are in Valencian. Ask about all of that when you arrange it. Their family story has featured on À Punt programmes such as Xino Xano and Voramar.

What they make

In the shop and in their online shop they sell single-origin dark chocolate bars, such as 90% from Ecuador, 86% from the Dominican Republic and 82% from Peru; 70% bars with caramelised cocoa nibs and salt, or with extra virgin olive oil; chocolate with almonds; the ChocoNardo, with milk, coffee and absinthe; and drinking chocolate, such as the "Virgen de los Desamparados". They also make turrón and tortas, chocolate-covered sweets and nuts, baking products and lines with no added sugar. They deliver to your home in 48 to 72 hours, free from €40.

Opening hours and how to arrange the visit

The factory and shop are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00; not on Sundays. The museum visit is arranged by phone with Pepe, on 633 973 481, or with Gaspar, on 666 819 135. The office answers on 965 890 573 and at [email protected]. They do not publish cancellation terms; if you go as a group and your plans change, tell them by phone.