Chocolate 2.0

Tcho may well be the perfect SF business, a happy hybrid of technology and good food. The company—currently in the process of building a state-of-the-art factory at Pier 17 that’s slated to open in January—was founded by Timothy Childs, a former NASA space-shuttle technologist, with backing from Wired cofounder Louis Rossetto. Tcho is involved in every step, from the selection and fermentation of the cacao to the making of the final product. The pure-chocolate bars—now available in four varieties labeled “fruity,” “nutty,” “chocolaty” and “citrus”—are sophisticated without being austere. When the factory opens, visitors will have the opportunity to watch the whole process, including, courtesy of X-ray-like screens, a clear look into the inner workings of the vintage German chocolate-making equipment. Available at tcho.com and at Blue Bottle Café, 66 Mint St., 415-495-3394

Check out our video tour of Tcho's Pier 17 Factory