In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dan Abel Jr., the Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger’s Chocolate.

Dan shares how his family grew up immersed in the candy business—starting from a small family-run operation in 1981 to acquiring and leading the iconic Bissinger’s brand today. Dan walks us through their unique family dynamic, how each sibling found their place in the business, and what it’s really like behind the scenes of a chocolate kitchen—from caramel science to flavor innovation and why making candy is as much art as it is chemistry.

Dan also dives into the story behind Bissinger’s newest luxury product, the 1668 Collection, a meticulously designed line of shell-molded confections inspired by the brand’s royal French heritage. With flavors like cinnamon pear caramel and blood orange truffles, Dan describes how he personally locked himself in the R&D lab to bring this vision to life. Dan also touches on seasonal creativity, overlooked fruits like pears, why certain candies have stood the test of time, and what makes Bissinger’s chocolate different from the rest. It’s a delicious blend of tradition, innovation, and entrepreneurial storytelling—perfect for anyone curious about the business of chocolate.

Step inside the kitchen of Bissinger’s as Dan Abel Jr. shares the flavors, stories, and craftsmanship that define the brand in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier
http://www.bissingers.com


Dan Abel Jr.'s LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-abel-jr-15541765/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/