Ganachery Opens December 15 at Disney Springs

November 23, 2015: A whole new experience for Walt Disney World Resort guests debuts December 15 at Disney Springs — the Ganachery, showcasing hand-crafted chocolate, “the most beautiful product in the world,” says Disney Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer.

Stepping inside this jewel-box shop is reminiscent of an apothecary of another era, as a chocolatier is similar to a scientist, says Chef Stefan. (Look up at the elegant chandelier made with copper saucepans, a classic tool of the trade.) The lovely little space elevates sweets to an experience akin to a wine tasting.

Chef Stefan has spent the last couple of years on an international quest for the world’s best chocolate for this stylish new boutique. “It has nothing to do with ‘candy,’” he explains. This isn’t about sugar and sweets, but pure and simple chocolate. The star of the show is a custom-made ganache, a luxurious, proprietary mixture of melted chocolate and cream.

The trend in the United States is dark chocolate, and the Ganachery uses a bold, 65 percent dark chocolate made with a touch of vanilla for “a beautiful balance of fruitiness and acidity,” explains Chef Stefan. The shop offers both milk and dark so that there is something for everyone.

A well-trained chocolatier will greet guests as they enter The Ganachery, where an expert will be on stage mixing, decorating and enrobing each delicate bite. For Chef Stefan, this quality of chocolate is like a fine wine, to be appreciated — but the experience won’t be intimidating as the chocolatier encourages guests to try one of the 16 different ganaches made in house.

“Textures, tastes, colors — this is about relaxing and enjoying a bite-size indulgence,” says Chef Stefan. He mentions flavors such a dark chocolate with a touch of shaved Egyptian salt, or a simple milk chocolate with a dash of dark chocolate and a pinch of Sri Lankan cinnamon. The signature flavor is dark chocolate with a note of Florida orange. All of the flavors fall into four categories: Spices, such a chipotle; Classic, such as orange, vanilla and caramel; Trendy, such as matcha yuzu chocolate; and Fruit, such as passion fruit and calamansi. There’s nothing ordinary about these tastes.

Even the boxes are a work of art — big flavors wrapped in tiny, beautiful boxes are a lovely souvenir.

To add an element of delicious whimsy, nine varieties of custom-made chocolate bars (not made in house) celebrate Disney’s iconic destinations and the “Fab Five” (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck). The Aulani bar, for instance, is white chocolate with pineapple and coconut; the Disneyland Paris bar is dark chocolate with liquid caramel and fleur de sel; the Disneyland Resort bar is milk chocolate with raisins and almonds (an ode to California’s top crops); the Minnie bar is milk chocolate with dried strawberries.

So it’s all about the world’s finest artisan chocolates — with one exception for the winter holidays. Chef Stefan has created a baked mini-stollen, the classic German fruit bread, this one covered with marzipan, then enrobed in a dark chocolate blend. This is one treat we guarantee you won’t find anywhere else.