This place is incredible! Not only is the staff incredible, but the different chocolates are incredible! This is a cute little store front that is really a place to just grab what you want and go. But they always have it super clean and organized. I got two types of gelato: cookies and cream and matcha. The cookies and cream was rich yet super well balanced. Good cookie to cream ratio. The match was incredible. The base for their ice cream was super rich and they obviously put a lot of matcha in it to get that strong of a flavor. I was super happy and devoured it. All in all, if your haven't been here, please try it, it's worth it. read more

It has been years since I last reviewed this local gem, so I wanted to add an update to say that while I still stand by my original review, I am grateful to watch Raphio Chocolate maintain their quality and charm while growing as a business to offer more (chocolate cafe drinks, teas, etc.) options. This year, with the mass black-out, Raphio Chocolate has made it easy for me to skip the big box and chain stores and really get some nice treats to share with the people I love, and the people who deserve gratitude. Decadent gourmet chocolate bars including a sugar free option (and yes--they have the Dubai Chocolate too!). I picked up a DARK Milk chocolate bar for myself to try...If you can't decide if you like dark or milk chocolate better, why pick when you can have both in one? They also have these adorable vials of hot cocoa mix for 2...perfect stocking stuffers or stand-alone gifts. I am really glad that Raphio made it through the pandemic and hopefully is doing well. On the southwest corner of Barstow and First Streets in Fresno, California and with an online store available if you're not in the area, you can't go wrong with supporting a local business that makes their chocolate from SCRATCH (they roast and process their own beans!), and they do an amazing job of it! 10 stars if Yelp would let me! read more

All these years and finally stopped by Raphio. It is pretty small inside, was expecting it to be more spacious. Service was okay but after telling her it was my first time here I kind of expected more enthusiasm and direction but she just ignored me lol but no biggie. Saw a sign for Dubai chocolate bar ($16) there is so much hype and everyone has an offering so wanted to see for myself. Also grabbed a single dark chocolate gelato as I've never really had gelato before either. Both items were delicious. The galato lasted me - I got about 4 servings out of it due to portion control. The pricing is up there but I do understand the business and it's high quality. Definitely an occasional treat. Will continue to support Raphio :) read more

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The best chocolate you can get in like, a hundred mile radius. The shop is clean, and offers chocolate tours (which I will be purchasing for my upcoming anniversary!) and everything is made with hard work and love. I hope to see the place still pumping out deliciousness for the next 200 years. They the standard for hand made, made with care, delicious and decedent chocolate. read more

I love hot chocolate!!! It's my favorite thing to drink even when it's super super hot outside, but on the day I visited I wasn't feeling it and didn't get any here. They serve European style drinking hot chocolate which looked super good . I'll definitely be back to try the hot chocolate . We got two bars to try the milk chocolate mocha bar , and a white chocolate Dulce de leche bar. The white chocolate Dulce de leche bar is so good, like a not too sweet roasted caramel flavor . The milk chocolate mocha bar had a great subtle coffee flavor and also wasn't crazy sweet . Great place to come if you want some chocolate or hot chocolate ! They also do chocolate tours so I'll definitely have to come back and do that . read more

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Incredible experience -- they've been here over nine years. Elisa the owner is so knowledgeable, kind, professional, passionate, patient, and caring about her craft and everything they have to offer! I'm grateful thru offered samples as I was curious about their various pieces. I enjoyed the iced chocolate that was delicious. I can't wait to be back on my next visit and to try their homemade ice cream gelato, brownies, cookies, drinks, and much more! What a beautiful spot! read more

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This was so much fun. It was very informative on the chocolate making process and all the tastings were wonderful. Highly recommend. read more

I ordered their iced mocha today and it's probably the best mocha I have ever had. A very smooth not bitter taste you sometime get with other mochas. I also purchased 2 chocolate bars that I am very excited to try. Can't wait to bring my family to try their drinks too :) read more

Raphio Chocolate - Iced mocha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

Thanks to social media showcasing Fresno businesses, I learned about Raphio Chocolate just in time for the holidays. Their chocolate bars make wonderful gifts and are great for pairing with wine. I got the 72% cacao Ecuador to go with a cabernet. I love that they partner with other local businesses such as Enzo Olive Oil Company and Kuppa Joy. The clementine olive oil chocolate is amazing. Can't wait to return and try their hot chocolate! Also, another really great offering at Raphio Chocolate is their chocolate factory tour and tasting for $20. It's definitely on my to-do list. read more

When we walked in, we were not acknowledged or greeted. We ordered a hot chai tea and a white chocolate, but neither drink was hot at all.

This place is incredible! First and foremost, their hot chocolate is delicious and their chocolate is just as yummy! The 72% Ecuador and Ghana dark chocolates are smooth, but not bitter. The whisky bar starts out with a chocolate taste and then finishes off with a whiskey punch. The port wine and fig, doesn't start off as nice, but ends well and would be a great pairing with red wine. I am more than willing to drive 40 minutes rounds trip for stuff this good. read more

Raphio Chocolate - 72% Ecuador - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

Raphio Chocolate started because owner Elisa was inspired to create healthy chocolate for her sons Raphel & Rio = Raphio. The chocolates are made from scratch using pure natural ingredients - cacao beans (not cocoa powder) organic cane sugar, & cacao butter. The beans are imported and processed on site. Thus, ensuring the quality of each batch. I was fortunate to receive some of these delicious treats for the holidays from my darling girls. The hand painted Bon Bons were works of art. My gift contained a sampler pack of 6 and the variety of flavors were very tasty. The decadently delightful Bon Bons were rich, creamy, and melted in your mouth. I could taste the quality in every bite. The girls know I'm addicted to chocolate covered coffee beans, so they included the Espresso Crunch Bar (72%) made with Kuppa Joy coffee beans. Mixing the best of both worlds--dark chocolate & coffee -It's now my new addition! Most of their dark chocolate bars are Vegan. They also sell sugar-free & Keto bars. I also received Raphio's famous Hot Chocolate. It came in a glass vile with mini marshmallows. It was so cute and contained enough ground chocolate for two servings. The hot chocolate was so amazing! Since it was made from ground chocolate and not cocoa powder it was rich and full of flavor. All other hot chocolate pales in comparison. The chocolates are great for gifts and are supposed to be consumed within 2 weeks of purchase. Mine were consumed withing 2 days. LOL! You can order them at raphiochocolate.com If you live in Fresno you can book a tour and tasting via their website. read more

Raphio Chocolate - Thoughtfully wrapped. - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

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One of my favorite local businesses in Fresno and, in my opinion, easily makes the best hot chocolate in town. I enjoy my hot beverages and they will always ask if you would like your espresso drink enhanced with shavings (cacao nibs) of their award-winning chocolate. The chocolates are crafted from scratch using cacao beans right from their factory which is located in the back of the shop. Where else but from a chocolate shop can you buy cacao nibs, ground chocolate, crafted chocolate bars, chocolate pearls and bonbons, along with tubs of hot chocolate powder and chocolate mendiants. They also sell top-quality teas and make hot or iced flavored tea drinks. Additionally, I believe they more recently started making brownies and/or cookies infused with their chocolate. Raphio's also carries and sells products made by other local vendors like chocolate-coated cherries and almonds, olive oils, and naturally flavor-infused honey. I always get warmly greeted by the owner Elisia or Vanessa, the young lady who is usually at the counter when I visit. You can tell they take great pride in their chocolate creations, as they patiently and thoroughly answer any questions you might have about the products they make or carry, and even offer you to sample either a bonbon or something they have freshly created. This place is a chocolate lover's dream! Ask about the free tour of their factory, usually scheduled on a Saturday, where you get to see how they make their chocolate from scratch. read more

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I came here a couple weeks ago and ended up leaving with more than i planned. The chocolate tastes rich and fresh, and you can tell they put real care into it. It's a small place but worth checking out if you're nearby. read more

Willy Wonka wishes he had chocolate this good. When I heard that Fresno had a place that makes its own chocolate and we had a chocolate factory right here in Fresno... I knew I had to go! Service was super friendly. I stopped by to get some chocolate gifts for some of my supervisors and was amazed at all the chocolate goodies they had. From chocolate bars, assorted bon bons, to delicious drinks - I was absolutely amazed! The inside is fairly small, but so cute! There are TONS of chocolate items to choose from. I decided to get their 9 piece assorted bon-bons - each of which had a different flavor. I used to not be a chocolate fan, but this chocolate converted me. The bonbons were decadent, but not overwhelming. They were so smooth and melted in your mouth. They were a bit pricy - but this would make such a good, luxurious gift for a loved one! I was amazed that they also sold drinks! There were so many options to choose from but I decided to try their drinking chocolate (8 oz) with oat milk. It was delicious! Some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had. They make these drinks fresh to order. I noticed on their website that they also offer chocolate factories tour and tasting - which sounds like such a fun activity! Would highly recommend this place to grab some chocolate goodies for gifts or to grab a delicious drink. read more

Raphio Chocolate - inside - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

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I bought tickets for a private tour for some family members, and we had an amazing time, even the kids paid attention and had fun. There was an interactive part of the tour which kept their interest. A fun experience! read more

Ordered a small drinking chocolate and a jasmine matcha chocolate bar. The drinking chocolate was flavorful and foamy. I'm slightly confused, though: every time I order this drink I'm offered different options. When ordering Doordash, I'm offered a choice of two sizes and asked to specify the sweetness of the drink as well as whether or not to put chocolate shavings on top. In person, I'm usually asked none of these things. As a result, I've been given vastly different drinks each time I ordered. The matcha chocolate bar was beautiful and melted in my mouth almost immediately. It had a velvety mouth feel and a grassy, rich, and ever so slightly bitter flavor. I didn't taste the jasmine flavor particularly. Maybe it's meant to be subtle? And, though the bar was beautiful, it was hard to break into pieces. They seem to be importing a lot of chocolate from outside sources nowadays? Would order again, but I wish the prompts for the drinking chocolate were more consistent. read more

Whether you're in the market for some homemade chocolate or wanting to do a chocolate tour this is the spot. We did the tour on a Saturday night ( approx 10 people) ; very informative ; samples were amazing. Felt like I traveled around the world with the chocolate samples. If you do a tour make sure to make reservations approx $20 a person. Starts on time, so don't be late. Tours last approx an hour. I loved the hot chocolate; I could drink this all day ; chocolately and creamy ... amen in my book . After the tour- they offer you a 15 percent discount for any purchases. read more

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I was in town visiting my bestie and came across Raphio Chocolate and I'm so glad I tried them out. I ordered their French Lavender Kiss and then came again later on in the afternoon before my flight out and ordered the Tuxedo. Both drinks were delicious!!! I didn't get the barista's name but she was so sweet in helping me decide which drink to try when I first came in. I will definitely be back whenever I'm in Fresno. read more

One of the best iced chocolate mocha drinks I've ever had! I had been following them on instagram for a while and was now able to finally try this drink. It's everything it promises, perfect drink for the hot summer! read more

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We read a review and decided to stop in on a Saturday afternoon in search of a perfect chocolate to use in ice cream. What an amazing and fun experience! We were welcomed and told to please look around and let them know when we were ready to try some samples. And then the fun began...Not only did they give us samples, they explained where they came from, the subtle differences to look for and ideas of how to use the chocolate. What started out to be a simple shopping trip turned into an absolutely amazing afternoon that felt like spending time with family. We left with lots of chocolate to try, delicious drinks, and now we can't wait to book one of their tours. We highly recommend the Raphio Chocolate experience. read more

Ambiance with music and the amazing smell of fresh chocolate is soothing to the soul! The service was fast, friendly, and pleasant. I was greeted and assisted as needed. Great recommendations on which chocolates to try (because I forgot which was which). Highly recommended! My go to chocolate place. read more

We have tried the chocolates at the local Visalia Farmers Market. This stuff is amazing, our family loves chocolate, we finally had a chance to try it and it's worth every penny. We tend gravitate towards milk chocolate varieties but myself personally, I love darker chocolate. We have yet to visit their store/factory, that will hopefully be soon! However, in the interim, we love that we can still support an artisanal local business. They're stuff is delicious and from the three flavors we tried; they were all amazing. read more

Raphio Chocolate - All three were excellent Choices - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

I was looking for keto and sugar free treats and found this gem while visiting my sister. I didn't get to go to the store but we ordered some sugar free bars and they were absolutely amazing! I was expecting the ingredients to mirror the typical store bought chocolates but was surprised that it was nearly pure chocolate with a few ingredients. It tasted great and was quality work. On my next visit I would love to take a tour and truly appreciate that we have some quality chocolate in the area. read more

I go out of my way for the iced mocha latte. Half sweet is good enough for me. Husband loves the chocolate chip cookies.

I love this place! I'm a hot chocolate fanatic and this place is the spot! I haven't found a place like this anywhere else. As soon as you can walk in you get the fresh smell of cacao and it's lovely! The staff is always very friendly and welcoming. Every time I'm in town I stop by to stock up on grounded chocolate and my favorite drinking chocolate whether it's iced for summer days or hot in the winter. read more

Honestly, this place makes some delicious chocolate!! This is a local business and while I am happy to support, their delicious goodies come with a price tag! So expect that going in. I love their choices for chocolate, and their drinks are fantastic too. I Highly recommend the matcha latte. You can get drinks sweetened or half sweetened. They have whole or almond milk available. Prices on drinks are competitive with Starbucks/Dutch bros, and I think I will be back for more here. I feel like I need to try out some more of the chocolate, but the little bon bon packs are great, and ready to do with 6, 12, or 18 bon bons. The 6 pack was $16. It comes with 6 random flavors-which I liked because I would not have selected the flavors they gave me and it was good to try out new things. Their gelato is great too. A definite must try for a hot or even just a cold day! Overall, I loved this little shop, they definitely have superior products, just be prepared to pay. But hey, you get what you pay for right?! read more

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Received a nice welcome when I entered the store. The decorations are cute and they are fully stocked with items. I liked that they offer the holiday boxes as gifts. There was a nice amount of goodies in them. I've tried their hot chocolate in the tubes before and they were really yummy especially mixed with frothy milk. Their chocolates are delicious as well. I just don't like chunks of it in my drink... I ordered an iced salted caramel mocha yesterday and with my check in I received a small hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was warmer than room temperature and my mocha was super chocolatey with pieces of chocolate in it. The drink was way too full. When I grabbed it to take a drink, the overflow spilled on my pants and shirt. Glad I live close so I had to go home and change. I'd come back for their chocolates and possibly try different drinks. read more

I finally got to try this place and they didn't disappoint me. The young workers were very helpful giving us tastes of the chocolates. They have variety of chocolate. They have different flavors. I tried the Fresno Chile, the a Peruvian and the white mocha. They were pretty good. I got me a bar of each one of them. The Chile one gave it a perfect kick to the chocolate. Never tried something like that before and never though there were such a flavor and I really loved it. We checked in on the Yelp app and we received a free hot cocoa. It was so delicious. I tried it after we were at another store and I regretted not to try it when we were still at the store. Because it was soo good that I wanted to buy some of the chocolate mix so I can make it at home. Definitely I am coming back to get it so I Can enjoyed it at home. I am not a chocolate lover but I really loved this place. read more

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Raphio Chocolate is an overachiever when it comes to chocolate and every other product they produce! The owner's love for chocolate making will provide you a full sensory experience from the cocoa aroma that welcomes you, the crisp snap of the chocolate and the melt in your mouth bite that will hit every taste receptor with its complex flavors. We have tried almost every chocolate bar flavor and have never been disappointed. And their espresso drinks made with their chocolate are AMAZING! And just because they can, they also offer some pretty amazing gelato. Chocolate bars and bon bons also make a great gift if you can stop yourself from eating them! Fresno definitely upped their foodie game by having its very own premier chocolatier!! read more

Raphio Chocolate - Lavender kiss mocha..oh so good! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

We have visited this Fresno Famous joint 7 times in the past 4 months and here I forgot to put a review. Not letting the 5 stars speak for itself, I need you guys to know first and foremost their chocolates are over-the-top delectable. The quality and love infused into every truffle and bar can be felt in a sensory bliss that American grocery stores have let drown out what great chocolate can be. Here, you need to be prepared to just take it in. Be in the moment. The time you designate to indulge in a morsel of their confections, please be prepared to leave the world behind. Do not have pressing plans in play in advance of the upcoming entertainment. Understand what you're about to get into. Because the bliss that follows this groundbreaking experience is not one to be tainted by the rush of life. How was it? You're welcome. And that's not even the biggest reason I visit this couverture of chocolates. It's because of the infusion of their fine cacao into Fresno's best coffee, Kuppa Joy. They have flavors such as white mocha, salted caramel, and so much more. Hot or iced. The answer is YUMMM!! And don't forget the out-of-this-world ice cream and rich hot chocolate for the kids! read more

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It was just supposed to be something to do on the afternoon, but a friend and I took their "factory tour" a quality mom and pop set-up, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the tour, both educational and delicious! You get to try so many different chocolates. I recommend this tour to any chocolate lover or as a gift to the chocolate lover you know. 5 Stars without hesitation. read more

Another wonderful Yelp Event this time at Raphio Chocolate. From the moment you walk in you will be greeted by the delicious aroma of pure chocolate. Elisia, the owner, and her team greeted us with a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie. Then to my delight, they offered several samples of all the varieties of chocolate which were on display throughout the cosey store. I tried the Meyer Lemon and the 102% Ecuador which has 100% cacao content plus 2% of cacao nibs sprinkled on top! As I stood there, my senses overwhelmed by the taste and texture of their homemade delights, one of the friendly team explained that all their products are made from 100% cacao beans ( as opposed to the typical cocoa powder) sourced from various parts of the world. No preservatives or artificial additives are used. There are many vegan options and for diabetics they have several chocolate bars sweetened with monk fruit, as opposed to sugar. I highly recommend this unique family owned business. If you'd like to see how they perfect their delicious chocolates, they offer factory tours Saturdays at 3pm. You can sign up on their website. read more

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Best customer service experience! I wanted to compliment Elisia and Yohanes for the fantastic customer service I received when I purchased a chocolate kit from their business. I called first and Elisia answered. I inquired if they still had any more of the kit and there was one more left. I requested to save it for me, I'd like to purchase it. The order page didn't allow me to add the shipping cost since I wasn't able to pick up the kit from Fresno. Yohanes immediately fixed their site and I was able to place my order. I received an email from Elisia a few days later and she informed me that the mug that originally came with the chocolate kit was defective. It had a chip on the rim of the cup. With the help of Nicola (Yelp Fresno CM) Elisia was able to substitute the cup with a perfect mug. The whole transaction was flawless and the communication was great. I even received the products early. Not expecting to get it that soon, I received another email from Elisia asking me if I received the package, huh? I look out my door and there it was... she sent it overnight! The kit came with a chocolate bar of Dominican Republic (72% cacao), a Raphio hot chocolate mix good for 2, and my YES 2020 mug (year of the COVID-19 and unprecedented times with a series of virtual Yelp events)... it's the new norm for now. Thank you, Elisia and Yohanes! The chocolate was the best and since I'm not a coffee drinker the hot chocolate was perfect. Review #1979 read more

Raphio Chocolate - 10.08.20 my Raphio Chocolate Kit includes a bar of chocolate, vial of hot chocolate for 2, YES 2020 mug (Covid year and year of the VYE's) - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Fresno, California

OH My Gawd! I recently ordered a 72% cacao Dominican Republic bar and hot chocolate mix from Raphio Chocolates. Mmmm.... delicious!! Their bars are molded in a neat 3D prism. Very neat signature look. The packaging contains printed graphics illustrating and describing where and by who the cacao was harvested. I thought that was pretty cool. A little bit of fun fact learning while I luxuriate eating my cacao bar. Well it has been noted by some that cacao is good for your brain, it stimulates mental focus. Their bars contain only 3 ingredients. Cacao, organic cacao butter, and organic cane sugar. Very natural and simple. No added fake junk. But yo'... the bar was delicious! The hot chocolate mix is shaved chocolate from the untempered cacao bars. It came in a capped test tube looking vial with little bits of marshmallows. It was in a two serving amount. Just add it to hot milk... dairy, soy, oat, almond... whatever you prefer. I used oat milk and the chocolate melted smoothly. Creamy and chocolatey without being overly sweet. @raphio.chocolate Raphiochocolate.com #cacaobar, #beantobar, #chocolateinfresno read more

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My introduction to Raphio Chocolate was through a virtual factory tour and tasting. Along with the tour, I purchased a tasting kit, which came with one bar of chocolate (72% Dominican Republic) and a vial of hot chocolate. The entire experience was so wonderful, I put in another order last Friday. I received an email from Elisia & Yohanes (the owners) that my order would be shipped out on Monday. And I received my box on Tuesday! Almost all of the items in my order will be gifts to my family, which I know they will love: 102% Ecuador bar for my father (who eats dark chocolate everyday), Bonbons for my mother, the Cacao Tea and 72% Clementine Olive Oil bar for my wife, with an order of nibs for myself (and my wife). I'm very excited to share these creations with my family, and to eat my way through all the options from Raphio. Eventually (when life goes back to normal), I'll tour the factory in person on my next trip to Fresno. Can't wait! read more

Amazing chocolates! The owners go cacao hunting to bring back the best beans. The chocolate bars are so unique as well. Sugar free white chocolate. A fresno chili chocolate with the perfect amount of lingering spice. A lemon chocolate. You can get samples before you buy as well. They also have bon bons which while slightly pricey, tasted delicious. I love the little origami section made by the owners kids. Cute way to support the store and their origami hobby. Give this spot a try! read more

Yelp Elite event.by Nicola B. A big thank you to the owner, Elisha who allowed me to check in despite my name not on the rooster. A nice little shop off the SW corner of Barstow and First St. Lots of merchandise in store along with anything chocolate. The Elisha explained how chocolate is made and how some people are allergic to chocolate, mainly due how chocolate is made with fillers and other ingredients that cause a reaction. Their hot chocolate was nice and creamy with no aftertaste. A good place to stop for anything chocolate. read more

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Fresno Made! Free hot chocolate deliciousness at check in! =)~ Oh my goodness! Have you all seen this place lately? Remodeled and looks amazing! I walked in and was greeted by the nice owner, I think and he was very kind and welcoming! I think he was aware of my shock looking at it. Changed immensely and for the better! =) I ended up buying a small 6 pack of their bonbons. A little pricey! The worker was masked and nice! The store is safe and clean! I got the free hot chocolate after that. Ordered it with oat milk. They only do that or whole milk. The hot chocolate is chocolate goodness! Good service, treats and hot chocolate! Recommended! read more

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Have been too busy gobbling up treats from this amazing business to give it due praise, but it is well worth it. You're going to pay a bit more for the chocolate here, but you can taste the difference. You don't know what pure chocolate tastes like until you've had this. I have tasted their chocolate bars, bon bons, and most recently purchased the Valentine's day set of brownies, cookies, bon bons, cold brew coffee, and gelato. They even added a 10% discount! I have never been disappointed and plan to buy special occasion treats from Ralphio's for as long as they are around. A real treasure to have in town! read more

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