COLTON – Apothecary Chocolate, a small batch, artisan chocolate company recently announced it unmoulded its 10,000th chocolate bar the week of Nov. 9.

Started by Shelby Connelly in 2017, the small chocolate company is tucked in the kitchen of Five Elements Living Center, 46 State Highway 68, just off the Raquette River. Inspired by healthy living, Connelly wanted to create chocolates with natural botanicals, herbs and organic ingredients.

Reaching out to the former St. Lawrence Chocolates candy maker Angela Ballou and her sister Ellen Nesbitt, Apothecary Chocolates found a niche.

The operation is small but has a long reach. Connelly delivers the unique bar blends to the Adirondack Store based in Lake Placid and Stamford, CT, as well as locations throughout the 1000 Islands, central New York and the Adirondacks. As well as locally in Potsdam and Canton. The chocolates can also be purchased through Facebook and on the Apothecary Chocolate website www.apothecarychooclates.com

The company has also partnered with Jernabi Coffee in Potsdam, using their freshly ground coffee in coffee crunch bars in milk, dark and white bars in the Colton Collection.

Using local maple and birch syrups, the Wildwood Collection includes Dark Chocolate Birch Brown Butter bar. It features a butter , birch syrup toffee with a rich dark chocolate. While maple syrup is well known to most local, birch syrup is just finding a following in the U.S. The birch syrup has more of a tart, berry undertone, and pairs well with dark chocolate, according to Ballou.

The Apothecary Collection, which kicked off the business, includes bars named: Beauty, Immunity, Composure, Brain and Sex. They include a variety of adaptogenic hebs and antioxidant rich fruits infused with flavor profiles to promote a sense of well-being.

“Many of these herbs and botanicals have a bitter taste on their own,” explained Ballou. “By mixing with chocolate and berry flavors, the bitterness masked, making the consumption very enjoyable.”

In addition to the bars, Apothecary Chocolates also offers a variety of truffles and pieces, including apple cider sea salt carmels, maple bourbon creams, turmeric coconut bon bons, and other seasonal flavors.