Wolf and Webb Realtors like to provide our clients personalized experiences where we not only work to help you sell or buy your home but also provide you ideas, suggestions and tips for the process and your time after. One way we provide tips is through our suggestions of things to do or ways to get involved in Lancaster County, this week we want to share with you more about Chocolate!

Not just any chocolate Wilbur buds chocolate! Founded in 1865 this fan favorite brand has been a Lancaster staple, and a staple for people all over the country and I would even say world! You can buy the chocolate at retailers in the United States and online through their site or mass sites like Amazon too!

Henry Oscar Wilbur’s manufacturing company is in Lititz! Every year millions of pounds of chocolate treats are created for all to enjoy. In 2016 the factory closed, after 125 years of chocolate making production needed an uptick in tools and speed. Cargill’s took over chocolate making in Mount Joy, another location in Lititz, Hazelton and two locations in Canada. If you go to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Lititz you can take the museum tour to learn the history of the company while also getting to see how the chocolate is made and antique tools that were used. 

Are you curious about homes that are currently on the market, our website is a great spot to start your search!

Wilbur does not just make buds but those are the most popular of the candies made which were introduced in 1893 and talk about a long history of tasty! The buds are named after flower buds because of the way they look and the mold used to create the chocolates are very similar to a real flower bud. Nowadays Wilbur Chocolate has a handful of products for patrons to enjoy. With the classic buds there are also chocolate covered fruits, nuts and more, cocoa, chocolate chips and even coffee!

While the taste of these sweet treats will clearly show you how this company has been a treasured treat of so many for such a long time another reason I think they are successful is the Cargill Cocoa Promise that they have. The company has a commitment to using and working with sustainable cocoa farming, focusing on community impact! A way to know that your purchase is helping communities is looking for the UTZ Certified logo or a marking that says The Cargill Cocoa Promise. When you buy a product like this you are helping sustain the cocoa farming. The Wilbur company works to provide the farmers with education and skills through training programs, schools for children, health care and nutritional guidance support for the Cocoa communities. 

While you can buy products online through Wilbur’s site, commercial sites and at some commercial stores I suggest going to the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store to shop around. Located at 45 North Broad Street in Lititz. You can shop around Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm giving you so much time to peruse the chocolatey treats. Due to Covid the retail shop has changed their daily shopping to meet the guidelines and regulations while also giving multiple options for their patrons to shop comfortably from offering curbside pick-up, to 30 minute sanitizing shifts. When you are wanting to use the curbside option you can call ahead to order your treats so that they are ready for you when you pull up. Ready to take home your tasty treats and gifts? Sometimes stocking up during your shopping spree you will need to know how to properly store the chocolate so that it does not go to waste. Chocolate from Wilbur should be stored at temperatures around 65 degrees Farengeitte and not go over 70 degrees. If it does go to 70 degrees you may be reducing the shelf life of you goodies. If you are storing properly these treats could have a shelf life from nine to eighteen months depending on the products you picked up. 

If you are a baker or wanting to improve your baking skills Wilbur is a perfect stop for creating delicious chocolate treats. You can purchase products from the retail store that you can bake with such as cocoa butter bases and confectionery products. Check out their website section titled working with chocolate for all the tips and tricks you would need to make a delicious dessert for your next family birthday or backyard barbeque ! 

If you have never tried a chocolate treat from Wilbur let me tell you…you are missing out! Wilbur is a great gift idea for friends and loved ones too. If you have a friend or family member that is a new home buyer maybe you get them Wilbur coffee and a set of mugs or some buds with tulip buds for their garden. The options to mix and match these sweet treats with a home decor gift are millions. Or if you are looking for a day out and want to dive into another piece of Lancaster History head over to the old Wilbur Factory for a Museum tour, it will not disappoint. Seeing the history of chocolate making is truly fascinating. 

While the buds are a classic and come in milk, dark and semi-sweet flavors Wilbur has so much more to offer. A fan favorite are their English Toffee dipped chocolates, chocolate covered peanut butter ritz crackers, chocolate covered oreos and Lititz sweet/salty bark. What is your go to Wilbur order? 

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How do I know all of these great Lancaster Local Secrets? I am a local real estate agent and resident of Lancaster for more than 30 years!

For more information on buying or selling homes in Lancaster County:
Call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 (WOLF) or visit our real estate website at www.WolfandWebb.com.

No home is too big or too small for our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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