Meet Andrea Hopf of Hopf Chocolate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Hopf.

Andrea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started making raw chocolate, back in Germany, in 2010, the year I went vegan. I had fun making it for myself mostly to satisfy my cravings in a healthy and nutritious way, and to share it with friends and family. In 2014 I moved from Germany to Los Angeles to be a musician. At the time I worked part time for my friend’s vegan food start up and they supported me in making my chocolate available to the public via selling at their farmers market locations, which is amazing because it’s tough to start a food business on your own without any capital. Eventually, I got my own spot in the Mar Vista farmers market, which I have so much gratitude for because it paved the road for me and my chocolate to be accepted into several other great farmers markets all across the Los Angeles area. It’s been only two years, and the business is growing organically, one step at a time which allows me to stay true to my values of high-quality ingredients, handcrafting and building relationships with my customers and all people I engage with.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve been more blessed than I could have ever imagined. Yes, there were challenges to make ends meet in the first year, especially coming up with rent was difficult for a while. But these growing pains are necessary to give you drive and motivation to keep going. You have to believing in what you do. My family is far away in Germany, but knowing they’re here for me despite the fact gives me great comfort. And I’m so grateful for my friends and everyone who keeps supporting me and my business along the way. The road is long, and one step at a time is my motto.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hopf Chocolate – what should we know?
My company is woman and employee-owned. I specialize in handcrafting raw vegan chocolate bars, buttercups, chocolate nut butters and cacao drinking elixirs. There’s no refined sugar in anything I make. Instead, I use mineral-rich, low-glycemic coconut nectar to sweeten, which allows for very low sugar content and for stable blood sugar levels. Healthy candy!!! My customers love the silky smooth texture of my chocolate bars, and their rich flavor of real chocolate (raw cacao) infused with various superfoods, spices, herbs and nut butters. It’s never too sweet but tastes delectable. It’s dark and strong but not too bitter. Even people who don’t like chocolate like my chocolate. People always compliment on the mosaic like design of my bars, which I did. I’m just really happy and grateful that people appreciate the food I make, as it is my intention to create a special experience for them when they buy it from me, then bring it into their homes to nourish and indulge themselves, or gift it to friends. Chocolate is not just a food, it’s a gesture, almost a language. 😉

The one thing that would set my chocolate apart from other brands, aside from the health aspect, is that I literally hand-temper (putting choc through different temperature stages) each single batch. And then also hand package and label each bar. My packaging is absolutely plastic-free. (I found biodegradable options.) Being eco-friendly is just as important as being healthy, as we only have one planet Earth.

The ingredients I source are organic and super high quality, minimally processed, mostly raw. The nut butters I make from scratch, and I never use any fillers or stabilizers. There’s no soy, no dairy, no refined sugar, no added oils.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m so grateful for my family for always believing in my process and the things I choose to do! Also, I learned so much from Maxi & Doug (co-founders of Blöde Kuh), when I was working for them. They helped me get my foot into so many doors of the food business world. Without them, I would not be where I am now. Thank you to everyone who has ever bought my chocolate and supported me with their word and love. Thanks to Diana of Mar Vista Farmers Market who gave me this amazing opportunity to be part of her market. Thanks to all the market managers and store owners who made me and my chocolate part of their repertoire. And last but not least I’m super grateful to the friends and people who now are and in the past have been helping me out and working with me.

Pricing:

• Mix and match any 3 bars for $25 (farmers markets only!)
• Save 15% online code LOVEHOPF

Contact Info:

• Address: Farmers Markets:
  SUNDAY: Hollywood (8-1), Mar Vista (9-2), Malibu (10-3)
  TUESDAYS: Manhattan Beach (11-4)
  THURSDAYS: South Pasadena (4-7)
  Grassroots South Pasadena (full line available)
  Erewhon Market (Velvet Truffle Cream, Maca Chocolate Chip.
  Available at all 5 locations: Grove, Venice, Santa Monica, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades.)
• Website: www.hopfchocolate.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopfchocolate/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopfChocolate/

Image Credit:
Hopf Chocolate

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.