FAQ

Our chocolates have a shelf life ranging from 15 minutes to 12 months (depending on your personal resolve and self-control).

We recommend storing our chocolate in a cool, dry place. The ideal storage temperature is 55F-70F degrees, so don’t store your chocolate in your refrigerator! Much like baking soda, chocolate is susceptible to absorbing unwanted odors. Being exposed to cold temperatures for too long can also cause your chocolate to bloom.

It sounds pretty, but it can actually be pretty odd-looking. Blooming is a process where the fats and sugars of the chocolate re-solidify, and become visible on the outer surface of the chocolate shell. This can look like whitish “dust” on the surface of the chocolate. It does not affect the flavor of the chocolate, and yes, you can definitely still eat it!

All of our packaging is either recyclable or compostable - just follow the instructions on the packaging. 

Yes, our chocolate is as natural as the smile on your face when you take a bite. Our products are made using ingredients from all natural sources. We do not use or add any GMOs, preservatives, artificial or synthetic ingredients, flavors or colors.

While we do utilize one inclusion (confetti sprinkles) that is made with Palm Oil, we have verified that the Palm Oil used in this ingredient is sustainably sourced, gathered from resources that do not contribute to deforestation or other impact concerns from standard providers.

Our Maeve Chocolate line does use a tiny amount of soy lecithin as an emulsifier to control the viscosity and keep our chocolate nice & smooth. We have great news, though! The soy lecithin we use is organic and from non-GMO sources. If you prefer to avoid soy altogether, we recommend trying a little something from our JCOCO line, which uses sunflower lecithin instead!

Yes, we do! Here are our bars that are vegan:

• Rainier Cherry Truffle Bar
• Coconut Island Truffle Bar
• Pike Place Espresso Truffle Bar
• Mexican Hot Chocoate Truffle Bar
• Thank You Truffle Bar

Many of our truffle bars and bonbons are gluten-free - just check the back of the box or bar. Our rigorous allergen cross-contact prevention program includes cleaning and detecting gluten on all machines before manufacturing a new product batch. The FDA states that products with a Gluten-Free claim must contain less than 20 gluten parts per million. Our test is even more sensitive, detecting as low as 10 parts per million. We only run products after the gluten test result is negative.

All Maeve truffle bars and bonbons are made in a plant that handles milk, soy, peanut, other tree nuts, egg and wheat products. We do follow a rigorous cleaning and sanitation program between batches to ensure the lines are allergen free.

Yes, all of our products are certified Star-D Dairy Kosher.

We use 100% non-GMO ingredients in our core line of Maeve bars and truffles. Each bar includes information on the back that lists non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, etc.

We’re proud to ethically source our chocolate from Peru, West Africa, Tanzania, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic; and we do everything we can to ensure that our supply chain is putting people and the planet first. Learn more here.

It’s imperative that our cocoa farmers are paid well and able to live quality lives. Whenever possible, we source directly from the farmers who grow the beans used in our chocolate. In locations where we aren’t able to do so, we’re proud to source Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Find out more at ra.org.

The well-being of our consumers is always at the forefront of our minds, and we have rigorous processes and testing in place to ensure the safest (and most delicious!) possible product for you.

Cadmium and lead can be found in the soil in regions where cacao is grown, and may enter cacao via the tree’s roots (cadmium) or by adhering to the shells of cacao beans during fermentation (lead) (1). 

We recently resubmitted our highest percent cacao products for testing at a lab, and we’re happy to report that they all fall far under the daily standards for lead and cadmium set forth by the FDA (2), EU (3), and Codex Alimentarius Commission (4).

These bars can be used as a baseline for the remainder of our product offerings, as they have the highest cacao content.

While we have full trust in these standards, if you would prefer to adhere to thoseset forth by California’s Prop 65 (5), you can also view those below.

If you are concerned about your heavy metal intake, it’s important to evaluate your entire diet - foods like cereal, rice, fish, roots, mushrooms, etc. can also be sources of heavy metals.

Please see the below chart to understand the recommended amount you should consume to adhere to each set of standards (6).

Additional information

1. Learn more here: https://candyusa.com/news/research-reveals-ways-lead-and-cadmium-in-chocolate-may-be-reduced/
2. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration)is the United States’ centralized federal system for food regulation, inspection and examination. The FDA is accountable for the majority of food products in the country.
3. For the 27 European countries in the EU, the food standards laws are all streamlined into one governing body: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA is responsible for EU food safety regulations and standards; mandatory for all the member countries.
4. Codex Alimentarius is a joint inter-governmental FAO/WHO food standards program with over 170 member countries (including the US). Codex Alimentarius standards are based off internationally accepted scientific and technological standards, and the goal of Codex Alimentarius is to develop international food standards, guidelines and recommendations to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in the food trade.
5. Prop65 is a California law adopted by direct voter initiative in 1986 as a “Safe Drinking Water” measure to address concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. It is officially known as the Safe Drinking water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Prop65 requires warning labels on packages of “listed chemicals” when they exceed “Maximum Allowable Dose Limits” or MADL provided by the law for more than 1,000 chemicals, many of which include natural minerals found in soil.
6. FDA, EU and Codex standards are based on a per oz basis.

We do not make sugar-free products.

Our sister brand jcoco chocolate can be shopped 24/7 at jcocochocolate.com

We are happy to assist with your corporate gift needs. Please email us at concierge@seattlechocolate.com.

We consider all chocolate a gift, and do not include invoices or pricing information in your package. Your order will include the order number, date placed, items ordered etc.), and a personal gift message to your recipient, if you chose to include one.

Yes you can add a gift note to your order. You will find a button “Add note to package” at the bottom of the checkout page. Be sure to include your name in the body of the message, as your address does not display on the packing list!

Check out our Store Locator! Click here and enter your City or Zip Code to find what retailers near you might have our chocolate on hand.

As a matter of fact, we have two! Visit our Where-To-Buy page for more information about the Seattle Chocolate Factory & Flagship Store, and our SeaTac Airport Store location.

Please visit our Returns & Refunds Policy Page for a more in depth breakdown of our return policy.

Please reach out to online@seattlechocolate.com if you need a copy of a previous order.

This is not currently an option to place an online order for in-person pickup. However, visitors to our flagship store can shop the full range of our products, exclusive merchandise and assorted bonbons to create their own custom assortments.

No, we do not offer gift cards online.

This is not possible. To place an order for jcoco, please go to jcocochocolate.com.

You should receive the email pretty fast! If not, make sure to check your spam folder as it does end up there from time to time. Still having trouble receiving the email? Reach out to online@seattlechocolate.com for assistance!

Read all about it in our email newsletters! When you sign up for your email subscription, you’ll receive 15% off your first order. To be the first to find out about new releases, sneak peeks, and upcoming events, sign up for our e-newsletter at maevechocolate.com. We also post flash sales and promotions on our social media channels.

• 5% off for orders between $500 and $2500
• 10% off orders between $2500 and $5000
• 15% off orders over $5000

Find the product page you'd like to subscribe to, choose "Subscribe", select a frequency, then add the item to your cart.

Depending on your chosen shipping, your subscription should arrive within 2-7 days of your order date.

Click here to get a link to your subscription emailed to you!

Simply add the lucky recipient's address as the shipping address and we will take care of the rest (but you get to take all the credit).

You can cancel your subscription after 2 billing cycles.

The 10% discount is applied automatically in checkout.

You will be billed on the day when your order is placed and our fulfillment team gets to work sending you your chocolate. 

Two reasons: Save 10% on every order and never run out of chocolate.

All online orders totaling $500 or more require a two-week processing time before shipping. Please feel free to contact us at online@seattlechocolate.com with any questions.

Everyday orders are processed within two business days or less. After that, your shipping method and location will determine how soon you get your treats! If your order is over $500, it may take up to 10 business days to process prior to shipping. We may not ship a package on Thursday or Friday to avoid our chocolate melting over the weekend. Please see the timelines below for further details.

• Large/Special Orders: All online orders totaling $500 or more require a two-week processing time before shipping. Please feel free to contact us at info@seattlechocolate.com with any questions.
• Standard: Place your order before 11am PST Monday-Wednesday (except for holidays) and we’ll ship in 1-2 business days, to arrive 3-7 business days after order placement. Orders placed after 11am Wednesday will ship the following Monday.
• Priority: Place your order before 11am PST Monday-Wednesday (except for holidays) and we’ll ship in 1-2 business days, to arrive 3-4 business days after order placement. Orders placed after 11am Wednesday will ship the following Monday.
• Overnight: Place your order before 11am PST Monday-Thursday (except for holidays) and we’ll ship in 1-2 business days, to arrive 2-3 business days after order placement. Orders placed after 11am Thursday will ship the following Monday.

Yes! We offer free shipping on orders over $70.

We check weather conditions for every destination to ensure your chocolate arrives in tip-top condition. Chocolate is very sensitive to warm temperatures, so in warm areas and during warm months, we pack with gel packs and dry ice and ship 2-3 day to make sure your package arrives safely. We are unable to ship standard to most states during the warmer months. Due to year-round average temperatures, or extended ground shipping transit times, we do require priority shipping for Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Please note, unless your package is taking a short trip around the Pacific Northwest, we typically ship ground Monday-Wednesday only to ensure your chocolate isn't sitting unattended over a weekend. We don’t want it to melt on you!

Chocolate starts to melt at 70 degrees F, so we take great care when preparing and shipping your order to ensure it arrives to you in perfect condition.

During the summer months, or as the weather requires, we may need to wrap the chocolate in dry ice and gel packs to ensure the safety of your shipment. Orders shipping to destinations of temperatures of 90 degrees or warmer may be held until temperatures cool.

We may not ship a package on Thursday or Friday to avoid our chocolate melting over the weekend. Please see the timelines in the above FedEx shipping section for further details.

Please make sure that you, or the lucky recipient, will be available at the specified shipping address when the goodies are expected to arrive. We don't want melted chocolate on your doorstep!

No, unfortunately we cannot ship to P.O. Box, Highway Box, or APO/FPO addresses.

Unfortunately, we do not make deliveries outside of the U.S. and Canada, or charge credit cards with international addresses.

We acknowledge that shipping expenses can add up these days. We try to provide our customers with the most affordable shipping rates available, for the best possible quality of service and speed. Since we are shipping chocolate, which is temperature sensitive, we sometimes have to take extra care to make sure your order arrives to you in the best possible condition. Your final shipping total is the result of all of these considerations.

Shipments returned due to an incorrect shipping address may require an additional charge for reshipment. We are not responsible for delays in delivery time due to incorrect or incomplete addresses. Shipping charges will not be refunded for late delivery if the business is closed or not available to receive the package when delivered.

We love our hometown, but it’s just one part of our story. With the name Maeve, we’re ready to tell the whole world who we are: a woman owned and powered company with a desire to do right by farmers, our planet, and our community. Maeve represents all the colorful parts of us,  including our favorite city.

You betcha. We’re still Seattle Chocolate Company, with two beloved brands: our culinary, fine chocolate JCOCO line and our over-the-top fun and delicious Maeve. Both brands deliver sustainable, clean ingredients and beautiful packaging that is Earth-friendly, with something for you, you, and you.

We are currently concentrating our efforts giving 10% of our net profits to fund projects to improve the lives of cocoa farmers, including digging wells for fresh water, funding savings and loan programs, planting seedlings to protect the future of cocoa, and more. If your organization is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, and you are interested in purchasing chocolate for your event, please send a request with a scanned copy of your 501(c)3 Tax Determination Letter to online@seattlechocolate.com.

Rhymes with crave, fave, and misbehave.

Love to! Learn all about our giveback to improve the lives of cocoa farmers here.

We are always looking for new talent at Seattle Chocolate Company. Please send your resume to online@seattlechocolate.com and if your qualifications meet any of our open employment needs, we will reach out.

THE BAD NEWS: Chocolate prices are going up.

THE GOOD NEWS: Chocolate prices are going up.

Allow us to explain. 

In 2024, cocoa prices skyrocketed  - we’re talking almost quadruple the price in less than a year. Climate change has caused adverse weather conditions in the places where cocoa is grown, and that combined with chronic underinvestment in farms resulted in a 12% decrease in global cocoa production last year. So there’s less cocoa to be had - but the world still wants chocolate, of course. The imbalance in supply and demand means prices are way up; but there’s a silver lining.

Finally, cocoa farmers are being paid more for the important crop they provide. 

Paying farmers fairly is an essential tenet of our company, and we’re glad to see the rest of the world catching up. We’re doing everything on our end to minimize the price you pay for our chocolate, but wanted to let you know that our prices have gone up due to the cocoa spike. We so appreciate your support of Maeve Chocolate, and hope you’ll continue to find a little joy in our truffle bars and bonbons.

Oh, and rest assured this has only made us even more fired up about protecting our precious earth: we’re proud to be a carbon neutral company with sustainable packaging and practices, and that will never change.

Then in 2025, global tariffs entered the chat - which means the cost of cocoa went up again.

Cocoa can’t grow in the U.S. (Hawaii being the small and dreamy exception). Our ethically sourced cocoa comes from places like Peru, West Africa, Tanzania, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic – regions where the climate, soil, and centuries of farming know-how come together to make the magic happen.

Simply put, the chocolate we all enjoy in the U.S. just does not exist without these cocoa-growing regions and the farmers that have grown cocoa for generations. Our prices had to go up due to these global tariffs. Thanks for your understanding!