“We are bean to bar craft chocolate makers who have traveled the world so we can offer you distinctive chocolate products.” Cassandra and Eric Durtschi
In Lebanon, in a rather nondescript strip center, awaits the best chocolate you’ve never had. Owners and chocolate makers Cassandra and Eric Durtschi have travelled the world in search of cacao beans. Each bar of chocolate starts with a journey to one of their coffee farmers frequently found deep in the jungle and on small family owned farms. It’s these relationships that shape their hand made chocolate.
The Beginning: Crio Bru (pronounced crew brew) a brewed cacao drink.
So how did the son of a plant manager for Russell Stover become a world class chocolate maker? Eric, a lover of all chocolate, was a star athlete as a youngster. Interested in all things health, he went into pre-med, but became a nutritionist and chiropractor (and a bit of a mad scientist). He wanted to isolate the good things in cacao beans for a purer chocolate with all the health benefits, sans the sugar, fat and additives found in most grocery store chocolate. In the process he isolated the cacao from the beans and developed a process to brew them, which resulted in Crio Bru, 100% roasted, ground and brewed cacao beans, which contain the flavor, health benefits (theobromine) and aroma of dark chocolate without the additives. The company (appeared on Shark Tank) grew and in 2020 the couple sold Crio Bru, which is found in bags nation wide (and sold at Sams, Trader Joes and Whole Foods).
The 2nd Chapter
After they sold Crio Bru, they wanted to focus on bringing “bean to bar”chocolate to consumers and to focus on their love of making chocolate. In the process of sourcing cacao beans for the Crui Bru, they formed relationships with farmers and started buying direct (bypassing brokers) for their specialty small batch chocolate. They also formed a relationship with award winning chocolate maker Art Pollard, of Amano Chocolate, who helped shape Eric into the maker he is today. They had been making chocolate as early as 2016 and had won awards for their chocolate. In the spirit of marrying tradition with technology, Eric stone grinds 1000 pounds of beans at a time with a vintage machine that sits in the middle of the store.
In 2025, they moved back home to Nashville from Salt Lake City and decided to open Durci’s Chocolate, a retail store. Now, after years of wholesale business, they are committed to connecting their community with bean to bar chocolate.
“Every menu says where the tomatoes or chicken or corn is from, why not chocolate?” says Eric.
The Store
They specialize in single origin chocolate that reflects the terroir (or place) of the beans, similar to wine. Each batch of chocolate reflects the truly special beans from farmers. When you enter the store you are greeted by samples of chocolate bars from Peru, Guatemala and Venezuela.
In addition to featuring chocolate bars, specialty crafted chocolates and desserts, they wanted to infuse chocolate in their entire operation, so they hired friend and chef, Chris Evans, who creates chocolate infused dishes for lunch. Cocoa infuses their House Cocoa Seasoned Chicken Breasts which appears in Chicken Alfredo Flatbread, salads and sandwiches, as well as their Chocolate BBQ Ranch Dressing. Chocolate Chicken Mole and Cocoa Carnitas have also made an appearance.
But their hand crafted chocolates and desserts are what they specialize in and Eric hand makes. Chocolate Covered Raisins are made with extra jumbo yellow raisins and hand dipped by Eric himself.
This chocolate is deep and nuanced and pure, with flavor notes and aromas similar to wine (with all its intricacies), and meant to be savored. They offer chocolate classes weekly including Build Your Own Bar and Chocolate Tasting 101. We left with a box of the brownies, some of the best we’ve had, fudgey and rich, and the Salted Buttermilk Caramels.
You can visit their store, buy chocolate, take a class or have lunch. You can also order chocolate online. Chocolate for Valentines? Check out their Chocolate Dinner 2/14/26 here.
Durci Chocolate
1221 South Hartmann Dr.
Lebanon, TN 37090
