LEXINGTON BAKES & TCHO Chocolate

Meet TCHO: Our Chocolate Partner

Our ingredient standards are simple. Real, Organic, & Fair.

When sourcing ingredients for our luxury cookies and brownies, we thoroughly evaluate ingredient partners' standards, ethics, and commitment to people and the planet to ensure they align with our mission and values.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, chocolate isn’t just another ingredient—it’s an invitation to support a more equitable, sustainable future. That’s why we’ve chosen TCHO Chocolate as our chocolate partner. From their bold infrastructure investments at origin to their industry-leading transparency and commitment to ethical sourcing, TCHO embodies the idea that better cacao truly leads to better chocolate.

TCHO Source: Elevating the Entire Supply Chain

The heart of TCHO’s approach is TCHO Source, a unique program connecting cacao producers, research institutions, and communities worldwide. TCHO understands that quality and flavor aren’t accidents—they’re cultivated through careful attention to every step of cacao production. This means working directly with farmers to improve not only the beans’ taste but also the conditions in which they’re grown, harvested, fermented, dried, and ultimately transformed into exquisite chocolate.

The challenges TCHO discovered early on were significant: most cacao farmers had never tasted chocolate made from their own beans, let alone had the resources to invest in new fermentation boxes, drying beds, or lab equipment. Without fair pay or proper incentives, it was hard to achieve consistent, top-tier quality. TCHO Source addresses these hurdles head-on by bringing technology, training, and financial support right to the cacao farms. As a result, what once may have been 20% of beans meeting TCHO’s standards is now closer to 80%, proving that meaningful change is possible.

Building Better Infrastructure and Transparency

One thing that sets TCHO apart is their commitment to tangible, on-the-ground improvements. They don’t just talk about better cacao; they actively invest in fermentation centers, raised drying beds, and even entire buildings dedicated to cocoa quality research. This hands-on support helps farmers refine their processes, enhance flavor profiles, and develop a deeper understanding of their beans’ genetic varietals. Different origins each have distinct traits, influenced by soil, climate, and fermentation methods, and TCHO’s infrastructure investments help unlock these flavors.

But a crucial piece of this puzzle is transparency. As a B Corp™ Certified company, TCHO’s dedication to social and environmental performance is rigorously verified, and the company is proud to share every detail publicly. Long before such verifications became industry buzzwords, TCHO was opening its factory doors, encouraging visitors to learn exactly how they source beans and craft chocolate. They freely share the blueprint for their Flavor Labs—spaces where farmers can actually taste their beans as chocolate and learn how roast levels and fermentation impact the final product. This openness has inspired others to replicate their model, creating ripple effects throughout the global cacao community.

A Legacy of Innovation and Curiosity

TCHO’s roots are as innovative as their approach. Founded nearly 15 years ago, the company came to life under the guidance of NASA tech wizard Timothy Childs and was operated for several years by Louis Rossetto and Jane Metcalfe, the founders of Wired magazine. This spirit of curiosity and reinvention permeates TCHO’s culture. Today, Chief Chocolate Maker Brad Kintzer leads the charge in refining cacao sensory analysis and flavor development, while Director of TCHO Source Laura Sweitzer helps ensure the company’s values are carried forward at origin.

By rethinking every aspect of the chocolate-making process, TCHO has transformed what was once a commodity supply chain into a collaborative, innovative network of partners. Farmers are empowered to improve quality and earn more for their cacao, and customers like us at LEXINGTON BAKES can trust that we’re baking with chocolate made in a way that respects people and the planet.

Better Cacao = Better Chocolate = Better Cookies and Brownies

For us, the result of partnering with TCHO Chocolate is nothing short of transformative. When you savor one of our brownies or chocolate-studded cookies, you’re not just tasting cacao; you’re tasting the future of chocolate—one where farmers have a seat at the table, where flavor is a shared journey, and where transparency and fairness guide every decision.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, we choose our ingredient partners carefully. TCHO’s passion, integrity, and willingness to invest in real solutions shine through in their chocolate, making every bite a more meaningful, delicious experience. That’s why TCHO is Chocolate. Fair & Square. And it’s why we’re proud to have them on our side.