Love Cocoa was founded with the intention of creating great-tasting chocolate while making a fairer and more sustainable chocolate industry - combating deforestation by planting a tree for each product sold.

As you may have guessed from the name, James Cadbury’s family history is deeply connected to the chocolate industry. His great-great-great grandfather John Cadbury started Cadbury chocolate over 200 years ago. Inspired by his ancestor, James founded Love Cocoa in 2016, aiming to uphold the ethical principles held by the original Cadbury.

James continues to make his impact on the chocolate industry through the newly launched H!p Chocolate - creating exquisite chocolate that is entirely dairy free! Using high quality single origin Colombian cacao and creamy oat-milk, H!p Chocolate is making delicious chocolate for the modern world.

Favourite chocolate from childhood?
Cadbury's Wispa, I liked it so much I named my dog after it!

How did you become a chocolatier?
I grew up next to the Cadbury's factory in Bournville and always did have a passion for chocolate. When I was working in the City after graduating, I would often make chocolates for friends and so got into it that way.

What is your favourite flavour combination?
Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate, the saltiness and sweetness together is something else!

What is the most important element in the chocolate making process for you?
Getting the right ingredients is the most important element. We use the finest ingredients in our bars, from cocoa beans to organic essential oils - this makes the most delicious chocolates.

How do you find inspiration for your ranges and products?
I love to go to food markets around the UK and prior to lockdown across the world to try new flavour combinations and bring some of those into our chocolate. We are about to launch a Yuzu truffle which is divine!

What do you use to track and plan your work and product development?
We have tried lots of fancy software however always come back to using Google Sheets, which is a great way of collaborating between teams.

What tip would you give to your younger self?
Be more adventurous and experience what the world has to offer. I've been lucky to travel quite a lot, however I would love to do an around world trip and spend 6 months experiencing different cultures.

What do you like to do when you are not making chocolate?
I love to keep fit and play 5-a-side football with my friends every week.

You can browse our selection of Love Cocoa products here - and try some dairy-free options from H!p Chocolate here!