It doesn’t necessarily take a chocolate aficionado to appreciate the symphony of sounds, smells, sights and tastes that greets visitors to the Wilbur Chocolate Co. Candy Americana Museum & Store located in the hub of Amish Country in Lititz, Pa.

Still — with the drone of the chocolate-manufacturing machinery humming in the factory overhead, the aroma of warm cocoa, the taste of just-made fudge and chocolate and the spectacle of candy makers hand-dipping graham crackers, cookies and other treats in molten milk chocolate — an appreciation of chocolate certainly heightens the experience.

Admission is free to the Candy Americana Museum & Store at 48 North Broad St., where visitors can glimpse a replica, turn-of-the-century confectioner’s kitchen with original utensils, copper pots, candy molds and traditional chocolate-making machinery.

The museum’s prized collection is the more than 150 hand-painted European and Oriental antique porcelain chocolate pots, some bearing the names Haviland, Limoges and Dresden. Another display in the museum features cases full of old chocolate memorabilia, including thousands of different molds, tins and boxes.

Due to federal regulations and insurance restrictions, visitors are prohibited from entering the operating areas of the chocolate plant located on the floors above the store and museum. But a video host walks visitors through the process of what happens in Wilbur Chocolate Co. plants to create the smooth, rich flavor of Wilbur Chocolate from the cocoa bean.

Probably the favorite attraction at the museum is the Candy Kitchen, where guests can watch confectioners creating hand-made chocolate delicacies like enrobed marshmallow, covered pretzels, almond bark, peanut butter meltaways, heavenly hash, mint drizzle and almond butter crunch. And these treats are available for purchase exclusively at the Candy Americana Factory Store.

"Visitors really marvel at the delicate handwork involved in creating the hand-dipped chocolates made right before their eyes," said Michelle Havrilla, store manager. "We often say that the items we make here are too beautiful to eat but too delicious not to."

Chocoholics of all ages will relish the selection of Wilbur items, chocolate specialties, boxed chocolates and many other chocolate confections available at the old-fashioned Candy Americana Factory Store. Plus, the store features a complete selection of other treats, like hard candy, gummy bears, cookies and nuts.

"Our store offers a full line of ingredients for cooking, including cocoa, cookie drops, coating wafers and chocolate chunks," Havrilla said. "We also have a wide selection of gift items — like specialty tins, gift baskets and coffee mugs — all featuring Wilbur products."

Visitors can also watch as confectioners at the store produce 16 varieties of hand-made fudge, including Oreo cookie, tiger butter, cashew and almond praline, creamy vanilla, rich chocolate and others.

And what tour would be complete without free samples? Samples of Wilbur Chocolate Co.’s most noteworthy product, the "Wilbur Bud," are handed out at the store. Wilbur Buds, introduced in 1893, are bite-sized chocolate drops available in milk and dark chocolate. In addition, guests can get a complimentary taste of freshly made fudge.

Directions:  Exit the Turnpike at Interchange 20 (Lebanon-Lancaster) and turn left onto Route 72 South. Take Route 322 East (towards Ephrata). Turn right onto Route 501 South, and proceed approximately 5 miles. The Store/Museum is on the right, and parking is on the left. From the Turnpike, the trip takes about 10-15 minutes.