Like a blessing from above, Tina Cleveland’s artisanal, heaven-sent Manna Reign chocolates cater to special diets (and your sweet tooth).
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Story by Jenny Jurica
Courtesy photographs
It could be said that Manna Reign, “Chocolates from Heaven,” was the answer to Tina Cleveland’s prayers–although that “answer” (initially) came more in the form of an order.
Cleveland, you see, was engaged in prayer during a spiritual retreat when she received a message.
“God spoke to me and said, ‘Stop eating bread and pasta,’” Cleveland recalled. “Of course, I didn’t…I mean, really, who could stop eating pasta?”
But, after carefully considering the variety of physical ailments that she had been experiencing since relocating from Maine to Texas, Cleveland felt as though changing her diet certainly couldn’t hurt in ruling out something more serious going on with her health. It was during a stint following the Whole30™ diet (which claims to rid the body of inflammatory foods over a 30 day period), that Cleveland learned that she was sensitive to gluten.
“I felt a strong spiritual sense that God wanted me to create a gluten-free sweet treat,” said Cleveland.
Gluten-free chocolate: a revelation
After exploring her local grocery stores and finding that there just wasn’t the type of gluten-free sweet treats that she craved available, Cleveland decided to try her hand at creating her own. She set right to work, researching and experimenting with ingredients with which to create sweet treats that she could enjoy but that wouldn’t aggravate her food sensitivities.
“After lots of trial and error I was spiritually led to combine a special set of ingredients to create a delicious, creamy gluten-free chocolate truffle,” said Cleveland. And, just like that, Manna Reign was born. The name of the company is also special to the Cleveland family.
When brainstorming a company name, Cleveland’s husband suggested incorporating the word “Manna,” referring to “from Heaven,” into the name.
“I said, ‘I want God to be over this,’” she explained.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s husband suggested the word “reign.”
“God rained down bread for the Israelites,” she said, “so we say that God ‘reigns’ down chocolates from Heaven, since he gave me the idea to create gluten-free sweets.”
That, of course, was just the beginning.
Manna Reign chocolates: a sweet success
Once she realized that she was onto something, Cleveland sought additional training so that she could improve upon and expand her sweet treat-making to include selling to the public.
She completed Ecole Chocolat training, which is a Canadian course, and the only of its kind that is geared toward chocolatiers. It was there that Cleveland learned about the history of chocolate making and made many connections with other aspiring and accomplished chocolatiers who helped guide and advise her in her own budding business.
Cleveland counts the guidance of her faith, combined with her family, as the secrets to her “sweet” success.
“God gave me the vision but my husband, Adrian, is very much involved in a lot of the ideas, tasting and business part of it. My 7 year old also has his input in the flavors he likes. Our mission is first to glorify God with our business,” Cleveland added.
Where to find Manna Reign
These days, you can find Cleveland’s hand-crafted Manna Reign, “Chocolates from Heaven,” at many of the Hill Country-area farmers markets and market days . You can also order online, but a future brick and mortar store is very much a vision that Cleveland holds for her business.
“Our vision is to open up a shop…a place that feels like home, inviting and welcoming while enjoying our tasty gluten-free chocolates and other sweet treats,” said Cleveland. “We envision not only selling chocolates but also to create a warm, friendly experience of community.”
“We would love to host events, have experiential retreats and workshops for other entrepreneurs and others to share, learn and help grow one another,” she said. “We want people to feel peaceful and happy in our establishment.”
Explore More
To learn more about Manna Reign chocolates, visit the company website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
