Joanna Marie O. Santos
July 07, 2022

Chocolate is a treat many of us enjoy, whether added to a meal or on its own as a snack. It’s an undeniable fact that many enjoy chocolate in its many forms.   Most countries produce their own chocolate, and the Philippines does not fall behind. The past few years produced a few brands that put Filipino chocolate on the market, with some even winning awards from bodies such as the International Chocolate Awards.   If you’re looking to add local brands to your list of favorites, here are a few Filipino chocolates you should try.    

Auro

Image from Auro[/caption]   Auro Chocolate is a tree-to-bar chocolate brand that takes its name from "Au" which is the chemical symbol of Gold and "Oro" which is the Filipino-Spanish term for "gold". It is an internationally awarded brand that works directly with local farmers to promote sustainability while refining Philippine cacao. They are one of the most popular Filipino chocolate brands with international recognition and retail stores in other countries, such as Japan and Bahrain.    

Malagos

  Image from Malagos[/caption]   Malagos Chocolate is yet another brand worth trying. Since 2003, they have been working to help grow the cacao industry in the Philippines under the efforts of Charita Puentespina, one of their founders who wanted to revitalize the cacao sector in the country. Puentespina commercially launched Malagos Chocolate in 2013, and the brand has since become the undoubtedly tree-to-bar single-origin chocolate that it is today. Like Auro, Malagos Chocolate gained awards of its own in the international chocolate scene.    

Theo + Philo

Image from Theo + Philo[/caption]   Theo + Philo is a brand that highlights the Filipinos' love for chocolate, fearless flavors, and their passion for food. Their name itself translates to "chocolate and love" which are two things that go into every bar produced by Theo + Philo. The brand proudly sources its ingredients from Davao and Bacolod as they work to share Filipino culture and the fearless flavors of single-origin chocolate around the world. With Theo + Philo, they craft each chocolate to represent the rich heritage of the country.    

Theo and Brom

Image from Theo and Brom[/caption]   Theo and Brom was born out of the dream to bridge the worlds of Belgian Chocolate Making and Philippine Cacao. Their goal is to produce Tableya Treats that will provide consumers with unforgettable moments. It aims to trigger feelings that'll keep the good times alive. Theo and Brom continue to warm the hearts of customers across the Philippines, Europe, and the United States with their Tableya creations.    

Tigre y Olivia

  Image from Tigre y Olivia[/caption]   Tigre y Olivia produces single-origin craft chocolate that brings together elements of the East and West to create top-tier experiences for their customers. The brand sources its cacao beans from farming communities in the country, processing in small batches to respect the distinct characteristics of each origin. They then use these to create chocolate that'll surely create unique experiences and memories for their customers. Apart from chocolate, they also carry a cornucopia of other treats including cookies and cakes.     Filipino chocolate is a treasure trove of flavors and blends that are just waiting to be discovered. There are tons of different brands in the country that make a mark not just with their distinct way of creating chocolate but also with their distinct efforts in showcasing Philippine cacao to the world.Â