"I like the chili pepper hot chocolate because it has a little bit of a kick and it's like true chocolate," said Megan Bee of Malibu.
A regular at the ChocolateBox Café, Bee treats herself weekly to a spicy cocoa while her daughter takes dance class because there are so many fun options.
"I'm sure I could make the rounds but I kind of stick with what I like," said Bee.
"You can personalize it, make it spicy, make it minty, make it regular chocolate, caramel, whatever you like," said Leslie Smutz, manager of ChocolateBox Café.
She says the European owners mix their gourmet chocolate with other flavors. Something that is popular overseas.
"We've got ginger, we've got cinnamon, chili pepper," said Smutz.
And that's not all. You can also get hemp, eucalyptus, mandarin orange, even teas like green and chamomile.
"They take the chocolate shavings, they take the tea flavorings and they mix it together so it's kind of healthy at the same time," said Smutz.
It is healthy. They use chocolate that is 60 to 70 percent cacao, mixed with healthy extras and the milk of your choice: nonfat, low fat, soy, almond, or lactose-free milk for those intolerant.
A small cocoa is $3.95 and a large costs $4.95, with a nice bonus for frequent patrons: buy 10, get one free.
But if cocoa isn't your thing, they also have a variety of low-fat and sugar-free gelatos and yogurt frozen treats as well.
For under $10, you can take a little trip up PCH to the Malibu Lumberyard, have a little sit down and enjoy some sweets with your sweet.
ChocolateBox Café Malibu
3939 Cross Creek Road, Suite C100
Malibu, CA 90263
(310) 456-7977
This weekend, the café is holding a free art exhibit "Romance of Venice." It will feature an exhibit of romantic paintings by Malibu artist Seda Baghdasari.
February 12 - 13
Exhibit hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Chocolate Reception: Sunday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
