After we were on our way to Hershey, I began searching for cafes in Hershey, PA near where we were staying, one shop we kept seeing come up was the Cocoa Beanery. It’s probably because they have more than one location. I’m not sure if it was because of how delicious some of the drinks sounded or because with a name like “Cocoa Beanery” it seems like a place we had to try while in a chocolate-themed attraction, but we decided to go there during our visit.
The morning of our visit to Chocolate World, we stopped by the location in Hummelstown, which is close both to the place we were staying at and Hershey’s main attractions. It’s also the location of the Penn State-affiliated medical center and I think one of the production factories for Hershey Chocolate.
But I digress.
When you first arrive it’s located in what appears to be a corporate park with office buildings and a few other establishments nearby. The cafe itself is in an all-white building, so it’s hard to miss as you’re driving past. There’s nice landscaping all around with ample parking as well as indoor and outdoor dining options. The bright, white decor was definitely different than the decor inside of this location which seems to be inspired by the neighboring chocolate-themed downtown area of Hershey. It was very warm-toned with browns, reds, and oranges. It made the inside of the restaurant feel very warm, inviting, and cozy.
THE COFFEE
Now on to the most important part – the coffee!
I ordered an Iced Mocha with Oat Milk and no whipped cream, while my husband got the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte with whipped cream. While they had other drinks on the menu, including the one my husband ended up getting, that sounded delicious, I wanted to try something simple while also getting something that seemed to be a popular order according to what I’d seen online. Personally, it was one of the best mochas I’ve had. The chocolate syrup was sweet but very rich and decadent. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if it was a Hershey-affiliated syrup that they used given the location, but I think the intensity and delicious flavor had a lot to do with the way she prepared it.
As I watched the barista, rather than simply pouring the syrup on the bottom and assembling the latte that way, she blended everything in. Everything was meticulously done so that the flavor was experienced throughout the cup – not just towards the bottom of the drink. If I had to guess, I’d say that this helped give it a richer texture and flavor.
My husband, loved his Salted Caramel Mocha so much that he actually ended up getting it again the following day. It was a little too sweet for me, but he loved it and personally recommends it for those of you who are in the mood for a sweeter latte.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?
We loved our experience at The Cocoa Beanery! Not only was the coffee delicious, but the people working there were really helpful and flexible with our orders. They were patient with us as we browsed the menu trying to decide what to get and answered any questions we had about modifications. We’d definitely recommend it and look forward to returning the next time we’re in the area!
What about you? What’s your favorite place to get coffee in the Hershey area?
