Kaitxo Zurri Gorri

Kaitxo is a family-run bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Balmaseda, in Spain's Basque Country. Founded in 2017 by Raquel González and Jon Mikel, the business grew from their shared enthusiasm for chocolate, coffee and good food. Kaitxo began as both a chocolate maker and specialty coffee roaster, and was the first specialty coffee micro-roaster in Bizkaia. Alongside Kaitxo's single-origin chocolates, are more experimental creations including milk chocolate flavoured with Earl Grey or Basque-inspired spices, white chocolate with citrus and salt, and chocolates combining cocoa with coffee, anise, liquorice, violets and other ingredients. The maker's Special Collection focuses on particularly distinctive and limited cocoa lots that are difficult to source in sufficient quantities for a permanent range. Kaitxo's bean-to-bar chocolates have also received numerous awards at the International Chocolate Awards. The connection between chocolate and coffee remains an important part of Kaitxo's identity. Both are made in Balmaseda, and the company regularly runs tastings, visits and bean-to-bar courses, giving visitors an opportunity to see how its chocolate is made.