Few people know that Tucson, Arizona is designated as a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy. And Monsoon Chocolate, aptly named after the rains that bring life to the desert, justifies the city’s title by capturing the traditional flavours of the American Southwest while also showcasing the finest cocoa from around the world—a truly remarkable fusion. Embracing the 'farm to table' mentality, Monsoon engages with suppliers in fair and sustainable practices, detailing on their website each terroir and collective they work with, along with how much they paid for the cocoa compared to the global commodity price. Despite the challenge of crafting chocolate in a desert, they excel in quality, processing the cacao minimally to highlight the beans' beautiful and complex flavours. What’s more, founder Adam's background includes a stint at Whole Foods in Portland, Oregon, where he helped build the largest craft chocolate library in the world. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to visit Monsoon Chocolate for a tasting and tour, offered from 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Tell them Milou sent you!