THE CAMELLIA CHOCOLATES STORY

Camellia Chocolates is Columbia, Tennessee's first and only bean-to-bar chocolate company, featuring handcrafted chocolate bars and seasonal treats, and established in 2023. We are 100% female-founded and owned by Christine Cole.

We are named for the camellia flower, a symbol of love and devotion. Founder Christine Cole’s beloved grammy grew camellia bushes outside her kitchen window, and she affectionately nicknamed her granddaughter “Camellia Face” for the flowers she saw so many times a day.

Camellia Chocolates is rooted in family and love, and our recipes are inspired by our heritage and memories. We use ethically sourced, award-winning cacao from Ecuador and extensively researched ingredients. We are actively involved in our community, including donating a portion of our sales to local tornado relief and supporting local nonprofits.

About the Chocolate Maker

Christine Cole has a deep passion for excellent food and drink, easygoing hospitality, and Gene Wilder as the iconic Willy Wonka. In her travels, she has visited many bean-to-bar chocolate makers and happily eaten a lengthy list of chocolate varieties. Christine is known in Columbia, Tennessee, as a cheerful and welcoming face — and she seeks to make hometown craft chocolate and artisan goods accessible to all who wish to enjoy them.

  • Hometown: San Diego, CA
  • Current Lives: Chocolate Maker, Muletown Flea Market Coordinator, Cool Aunt, Childless Cat Lady, Spouse to Drew for 15+ years, Excellent name & face rememberer
  • Past Lives: Passionate bakery nerd, nonprofit fundraising & marketing leader, Salesforce & data pro, teacher, jewelry & retail lover

CHRISTINE'S CURRENT FAVORITE THINGS

AT POP-UPS & MARKETS

  • Sharing samples with your littles and watching them love craft chocolate
  • Meeting fellow vendors

WHILE MAKING CHOCOLATE

  • Scream-singing to The Tortured Poets Department — particularly The Black Dog (if you're one of my neighbors, I owe you so much chocolate and probably some noise-cancelling headphones)
  • The brownie-like scent of cacao beans during roast days

IN LIFE

  • Coffee & drinking chocolate walks
  • Peanut butter & jam toast
  • Visits & FaceTimes from family — chosen or born
  • Weekly big-batch meals (looking at you, lentil curry and veggie chili!)

Our Mission, Vision, & Values

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