Our Story

nicobella vegan organic dark chocolate truffles evolved out of my love and passion for healthy and whole natural foods.

As far back as high school, I focused on nutrition and exercise as a means to stay slim and fit into my favorite pair of jeans. What started out as a simple desire to look and feel fit and healthy later became a true lifestyle choice. As a nutritionist and yoga instructor, I was able to turn my passion into both a vocation and an avocation.

Many years later my excitement for exercise and health still remains strong, but is driven by a different purpose. Eating simply and healthfully should be adventurous and fun, and I’ve realized that food choices can actually determine a person’s quality of life. I now focus on nutrition and exercise as a way to feel alive and healthy, to keep the skin radiant and glowing and to stay young from the inside out...all through whole natural foods.

Included in my love for whole foods is my craze for chocolate…dark, sensuous, savory chocolate. Recently, dark chocolate has definitely reached the “A List” of top foods. I’ve often thought to myself, and even said to my clients, “Allow yourself that piece of chocolate. It’s good for your mind and soul, and a small piece may even be good for your body.” Now there’s evidence! Chocolate is in the news on a daily basis; the media is in love with its benefits on blood pressure, the brain and the heart.

There are lots of yummy dark chocolate bars that certainly soothed my soul, however I noticed that there were no chocolate truffles (one of my personal favorites!) created with healthy ingredients. My mission with nicobella vegan organic dark chocolate truffles was to take the traditional chocolate truffle and find a substitute for the cream and sugar that typically make up the traditional creamy ganache filling.

After months of very late nights experimenting in my kitchen, a line of six vegan organic dark chocolate truffles was created. With the help of friends and family, I brought them to a Whole Foods Farmers Market where they sold out quickly and received great reviews. This was very exciting! However, it took me two whole days to make one batch of truffles…so I knew I either had to quit my full time job or find a true chocolate professional.

Since the concept of using Fair Trade and sustainable products is very important to me, I needed to find an organic chocolate manufacturer that was also Fair Trade AND willing to work with a small business. After several months of searching, I found the perfect chocolate company with a vision that paralleled my own. Thanks to Theo Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate, your mouth will be delighted by our vegan organic dark chocolate truffles and your mind will be at ease knowing you are making the right choice for the world and your body.

Nichole Dandrea
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
Founder, Spa Candy LLC