Cerreta Candy Company — Attraction in Glendale

This is a family-owned candy and store combination that has been in Arizona for more than 50 years. They make and package the chocolates, taffy, and caramel here in a "factory" that is open and visible to customers. You can have a tour of the factory on any Monday at 1 p.m. at no charge. (The tour lasts about an hour.) For an extra charge kids can make their own chocolate pizza and take it home. (Envisioning a 10 - 15 inch pizza? Guess again. They're only about 5 or 6 inches in diameter.) The tour is quite interesting and informative and you can see why elementary schools often schedule it as a field trip. (Two or three free samples might contribute to its popularity among young and old.) One drawback to the tour can be the noise level in the factory when multiple machines are working, especially the vibrator which shakes the air bubbles out if the chocolate before it is wrapped. It can be difficult to hear the tour guide talking although she does her best to speak loudly above the factory noise. While I had always heard that a famous episode of the "I Love Lucy" TV show was filmed in this factory, it turns out that this is not true. (The episode had Lucy and Ethel working on an assembly line in a candy factory. Things get out of hand when they try to eat some as it is going by.) The set for this scene used a mock-up of a candy assembly line much like the one at Cerreta's but it was filmed in Burbank in the 1950s and Cerreta's did not get started until 1968. I think anyone with a curious mind will enjoy the tour and will learn a lot about how chocolate is grown, harvested, and processed before we get it in the store. The tour guide does a good job of describing what you are seeing. There is a store at the front of the building where you can buy most of the various chocolate and other confections that are made in the factory, whether or not you take the tour. A cute little "fact" that is on some of the tour publicity is that since cacao beans are grown on plants, when you eat chocolate, you could be said to be...

Cerreta Candy Co. Ball Bites (Thin Mint Edition) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five Stars - The Most Dangerous Snack Ever Invented. I'm not sorry.

First, I need to know who at the Cerreta Candy Company headquarters made a pact with the gods of dessert, because these Ball Bites are pure, concentrated magic. They are, as the prophecy foretold, Thin Mints that have been genetically engineered into perfectly pop-able little spheres.

This is no imitation. This is the authentic, dark-chocolate-and-cool-mint flavor you crave, but with a thicker coating and a satisfying, crunchy center. They are not cookies; they are cookie essence, distilled into a bite. Putting a handful of these in your mouth is basically binge-watching a whole season of Girl Scout Cookies in 30 seconds. I now understand why they don't sell these in individual sleeves—the danger would be too great for society.

I bought the "sharing size" bag. That was the first mistake. There is no sharing. The resealable top is a cruel joke, a challenge I failed five minutes after delivery. I tried to put them in the freezer to slow down my consumption (a classic Thin Mint maneuver), but then I just stood in front of the open freezer door, shivering, eating them by the tablespoon. They are fantastic frozen, by the way—they get this unbelievable, hard, snappy shell. I have hidden the empty bag deep in the recycling bin under a mountain of junk mail. My family thinks I'm a good person who is simply "not hungry right now." They don't know the dark, chocolate-mint-filled secret I harbor.

Do you want to know what eternal happiness tastes like? It tastes like the Cerreta Ball Bites. Buy them, hide them, and never speak of them again....

Cerreta Candy Company, a family-owned business based in Glendale, Arizona, has been crafting delectable chocolates for over 50 years. Their commitment to quality and tradition is evident in every piece, making their confections a delightful treat for recipients.

One of their standout offerings is the French Mint Chocolate Gift Box. This collection features fine mint truffles, individually wrapped to ensure freshness and quality. The harmonious blend of rich chocolate and refreshing mint creates a balanced and indulgent flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.

In addition to the French Mint, Cerreta offers a variety of other confections that have garnered positive reviews. Their Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles, for instance, provide a zesty twist on traditional truffles, combining the deep flavors of dark chocolate with a hint of citrus. Similarly, the Milk Chocolate Fudge Truffles offer a creamy and smooth experience, perfect for those who prefer a classic taste.

The presentation of Cerreta chocolates is both elegant and thoughtful, making them suitable for corporate gifting. The packaging reflects the artisanal care put into each product, ensuring that recipients feel valued and appreciated.

Overall, Cerreta’s chocolates are a testament to their dedication to quality and tradition. Whether enjoyed personally or given as a gift, their confections are sure to leave a...