There is just something incredible about the combined flavors of fresh fruit and fresh chocolate. This is how Stephen Libs explains his popular chocolate-covered grapes, a tasty treat that seems too good to be true. “It sounds kind of different,” Libs says. “But once you taste it, it’s surprisingly good.” The juicy red California seedless grapes doused in Stephen Libs Finer milk chocolates are a match made in heaven.
“It’s kind of a crazy thing,” Libs says, referring to how he first began making the chocolate-covered grapes. More than 20 years ago, a customer approached him with a request to make chocolate-covered grapes. Libs had never sold them before, but he stepped up to the challenge and made enough grapes to fill the customer’s order and then some. They caught on in the store and continued to grow.
Batches of grapes are made every other day, and are sold in one pound and half-pound boxes. Libs and his chocolatiers are well trained with the Hilliard’s Chocolate System machinery used to coat the grapes with flowing milk chocolate, which is warmed at 90 degrees. “We are proud of our chocolate,” Libs says, referring to himself, his employees, and his chocolatiers. “When we cover the grapes, we try to get as much chocolate as possible, to smother them.”
While the grapes are at their best fresh out of the box, there are other ways to enjoy these delectable fruits. The grapes are quite delicious after they have been chilled or frozen, and Libs even has a customer who enjoys freezing the grapes and adding them to a glass of wine.
Stephen Libs has more than 30 years of experience in the chocolate industry. The chocolate-covered grapes are sold throughout the year in the store, located at 6225 Vogel Road in Evansville. In addition to grapes, Stephen Libs offers chocolate-covered pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries. Stephen Libs Finer Chocolates is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about Stephen Libs, call 812-473-0048 or visit stephenlibschocolates.com.
