Thursday, December 01, 2005

Harry London Candies

As always, we enjoyed our tour of the Harry London Candy Factory in North Canton. Our tour took place on November 29, and we had a large group in attendance. I don't know why exactly, but it seems that chocolate always draws a big crowd.

Our group was split in two, and while my half toured the facility, the others viewed a video describing the history of chocolate, the science of how it is made and why Harry London's makes theirs the best around. The video is about 20 minutes long and pretty interesting. Of course, it's not as interesting as the chocolate samples we all received on our way into the video room. The samples are what they call "oops!" chocolates. Other "oops!" candies are sent to charities and other places that Harry London's feels can use them. These are mistakes that taste perfectly but don't look the way the QC people want them to look.

The tour began with a walk down the Harry London hall of history, a series of pictures showing the humble beginnings in Harry's basement all the way to the modern facility they have today. We then entered a very warm room dominated by huge tanks filled with melted chocolate. In Willy Wonka style, giant tubes over our heads carried chocolate to anywhere it was needed in the plant.

When we walked up to the observation "hallway" over the main production area, we were able to see the giant vats of chocolate being stirred, and the many people required to produce the best chocolate around. We saw a caramel cutting machine turn a huge sheet of caramel into bite-size pieces and wrap them. We watched orange candies being covered in chocolate on an enrobing machine. There were a number of conveyer belts making different kinds of chocolates. We also saw the machines and the people who wrap all of those lovely chocolates, all of the workers wearing white clothes and hair nets, and not looking even slightly like oompa loompas. They were very friendly, though, and often waved at the kids.

After our tour, we viewed the video and then spent some time (and money) in the store, buying wonderful chocolates and other candies. The adult tickets are also a coupon in the store. I don't know what my favorite is, but I know that once I've had Harry London's chocolate, I'm spoiled for anything else.

The tour costs around $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and runs on the hour most days, so anyone can go. You can contact them on their website or by calling 1-800-321-0444 X119.

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