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Chocolate—Made in New Hampshire
Researched and Written by Janine Weins
(Posted 10/11/06)

Many think New Hampshire has some of the best apples, maple products, wreaths, and Shaker furniture available anywhere. Some know that New Hampshire has two of the finest chocolatiers in the country: L.A. Burdick in Walpole and Clay's Chocolate Shop in Campton.

Larry Burdick grew up in Boston and lived in France and Switzerland before he started L.A. Burdick in New York City in 1987. Within a few years, he decided to move his business to Walpole, New Hampshire. Handmade chocolates, the best hot chocolate available anywhere, and truly fine food are available at L.A. Burdick on Main Street in Walpole.

Joan Clay grew up in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. When Joan talks about her paternal grandmother she says, "If I could die eating a piece of my grandmother's fudge, I would die happy—it was the best fudge I ever tasted." Her maternal grandmother's specialty was taffy. Joan's mother still makes wedding cakes. Joan spent hours in her parent's and grandparent's kitchens soaking up their knowledge, sampling their sweet treats, and developing a love of chocolate.

In 1994, Joan opened Clay's Chocolate Shop. She had become bored with her job as a bank officer and wanted to pursue her passion. The truffles sold by Clay's are based on a recipe developed by her late son, Joel. In 2003, Joel's truffle formula won a national award for excellence. The mint used in the chocolate mint candies is grown by Joan in her garden.

Although Clay's sells fine handmade chocolates, they are known for their molded chocolates. They have more than 10,000 molds and have shipped hundreds of chocolate seashells to the Virgin Islands, thousands of chocolate golf balls to Florida, and chocolate skis and ski boots to Alaska. They recently created a chocolate castle with a moat and dragons. Clay's makes chocolate logos for large companies such as Bose, and for small companies, hospitals, radio stations, regional utilities, and people who want a special memento for an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion.

Regardless of whether it is a molded logo or a chocolate truffle made with their award-winning truffle formula, Clay's uses only the best quality chocolates from Belgium, German, France, Italy, and Mexico. Joan purchases her chocolate in cases of 5 kilogram bricks. The chocolate is shipped to Clay's in refrigerated containers. Once the chocolate bricks arrive, they are stored in a climate-controlled room. Joan never adds preservatives or waxes to her chocolates.

In 1997, Joan added a non-chocolate product: handmade dog treats. Her rottweiler, Sammy, was allergic to commercial treats. She wanted to make him something special. When a friend took some of Sammy's treats to a pet show, sales soared. Joan says that some days Sammy's dog treats outsell her chocolates.

I have tried L.A. Burdick and Clay's Chocolates. I am spoiled. I prefer fine wines and I now know I prefer fine chocolates. I have not tried Sammy's dog treats; Joan doesn't recommend I do. She said nutritionally they would be fine but that they would not be good for my teeth.

If you are interested in purchasing fine chocolates or in taking a class in chocolate-making, I suggest you contact L.A. Burdick at http://www.burdickchocolate.com/ or Clay's Chocolates at http://www.clayschocolates/.

I don't know why Larry Burdick and Joan Clay make their chocolates in New Hampshire, maybe it is for the same reason the Cornish Community attracted so many artists, or why best-selling authors move to New Hampshire—the countryside, the people, and the seasons support the creativity that inspires great chocolates, beautiful art, and talented writings.

White chocolate leaves made by made and hand painted by Joan Clay.		Some of the many awards given to Clay's Chocolate Shop.