7 Local Artisanal Chocolates to Buy as Gift This Valentine’s Day
If there is anything that induces guilty pleasure, there is nothing much better than chocolates. We mean, who would say no to the smooth, velvety, and sweet taste of this dessert, right?
Now that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, we looked for seven home-grown artisanal chocolate brands that you can buy as a gift for your loved ones not only for Valentine’s Day alone but also for other special occasions.
Auro Chocolate
Founded in 2015, Auro Chocolate is an internationally awarded premium bean-to-bar chocolate brand that boasts its fine cacao and chocolate made from locally sourced Davao beans.
They offer chocolate collections such as the classic, heritage, reserve, tropical, and gift sets. It is good to know that all their products are composed of 100% Cacao Butter with no extenders.
As a globally recognized brand, Auro has already won 24 international awards such as the Academy of Chocolate, Great Taste Award, and International Chocolate Awards. They also distribute to countries outside of the Philippines including Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and the USA.
Recommended products: 32% White Chocolate with Moringa Pinipig (Php 260), 70% Dark Chocolate Tupi (Php 225), 42% Milk Chocolate with Nibs (Php 215)
Where to buy: For the full list, click here.
- Auro Chocolate Boutique – Fabtech Bldg., Santiago St., Magallanes Village, Makati City
- Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores
- Duty Free Philippines stores
- Go Lokal! concept stores
- Salad Stop stores
Website: aurochocolate.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aurochocolate
Instagram: instagram.com/aurochocolate
Theo + Philo Artisan Chocolates
Theo + Philo Artisan Chocolates is the first bean-to-bar single-origin chocolates in the Philippines. This artisan chocolate brand honors high-quality local ingredients such as the cacao beans of Davao and the world-renowned sugar of Bacolod. They make bean-to-bar chocolates from pure cocoa butter and real chocolates.
They also won several international awards from the Academy of Chocolate Awards and the International Chocolate Awards Asia-Pacific.
Recommended products: 65% Dark Chocolate with Labuyo (Php 115), Milk Chocolate with Pili Nut & Pinipig (Php 115)
Where to buy: For the full list, click here.
- Bo’s Coffee branches nationwide
- Human Nature branches in Metro Manila
- SM Kultura
- ECHO stores
- Rustan’s Department Stores and Supermarket
Website: theoandphilo.com
Facebook: facebook.com/theoandphilo
Instagram: instagram.com/theoandphilo
Malagos Chocolate
Malagos Chocolate is the only tree-to-bar single-origin chocolate maker in the Philippines launched in 2013. With the aim to put the country in the chocolate map, they are known for making fine chocolate bars from cacao beans grown in the foothills of Mt. Talomo in Davao.
They have won numerous local and international awards since 2015 including UK’s Great Taste Awards, International Chocolate Awards, and Academy of Chocolate Awards to name a few. The farm’s very own cacao variants were also recognized as an “Heirloom Cacao” in 2019.
Recommended products: 85% Dark Chocolate Bar (6 pack) (Php 1,650)
Where to buy:
- All About Baking stores
- ECHO stores
- Gourdo’s
- Rustan’s Our Very Own stores
- SM Kultura stores
- Duty Free Philippines
Website: malagoschocolate.com
Facebook: facebook.com/malagos.chocolate
Instagram: instagram.com/malagoschocolate
Hiraya Artisan Chocolates
Another bean-to-bar chocolate maker with the directive of helping a community of local farmers, Hiraya Artisan Chocolates offers fine all-natural chocolate products ranging from different flavor profiles to first-of-its-kind chocolate flavors.
Its namesake comes from an ancient Tagalog word which means “the fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.” Their 72% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate Malabog Davao proudly uses the top-tier Trinitario beans from Malabog, Davao.
Recommended products: 72% Single-Origin Dark Chocolate Malabog Davao (Php 198)
Where to buy: Order via Lazada
Website: hirayachocolates.com
Facebook: facebook.com/HirayaChocolates
Instagram: instagram.com/hirayachocolates
True Chocolate PH
True Chocolate PH is a local gourmet chocolate brand known for creating handcrafted Belgian and local chocolates. This small home-based chocolate business was born out of a passion for chocolates.
Among their products are chocolate bars, bonbons, and truffles. They also accept custom confections for special events.
Recommended products: Assorted Truffles (Classic Dark and Nutty Dark Truffles) (Php 275, Box of 6/ Php 530, Box of 12), Belgian Dark Chocolate Bonbons (Php 225)
Where to buy: Place orders via email at truechocolateph@gmail.com
Website: truechocolateph.com
Facebook: facebook.com/truechocolateph
Instagram: instagram.com/truechocolateph
Tigre Y Oliva
Tigre Y Oliva is a handmade bean-to-bar chocolate brand hailing from the sunny surf town of La Union. It is known to be the first to feature specific taste profiles of cacao-based on its origin.
They have four single-origin chocolate varieties: Talandang, Santa Maria, Tupi, and Subasta—which all represent Davao. Each bar has a distinct flavor and scent made from 70% to 75% organic cacao and raw sugar.
They also offer ice cream, cookies, bonbons, and more at their outpost shop in La Union.
Recommended products: Santa Maria, Talandang, Tupi, and Subasta
Branch: Order online via karton.ph
- Flagship store – La Union (12 n.n. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday)
- Coffee shops: Holy Carabao, Yardstick, YDG, Commune, Ritual, Tenant, Echo Store, Urban Pantry, Hillside Cafe, Satchmi, Coffee & Protein
Facebook: facebook.com/tigreyolivachocolate
Instagram: instagram.com/tigreyolivachocolate
Risa Chocolates
Luscious Dark Chocolate to brighten your weekend.#Weekend #Reward #RisaChocolate #DarkChocolate #Chocolate @thegridfoodmarketph @powerplantmall
Risa Chocolates is a homegrown chocolate brand that began from pop-up stores and bazaars in the metro. They offer meticulously handcrafted chocolate products made from the finest ingredients such as truffles, chocolate pralines, chocolate bars, and more.
Recommended products: 70% South Cotabato Dark Chocolate (Php 220), Brown Butter Milk Chocolates with Hazelnuts (Php 230)
Order: Place your orders via 0918-942-4573 or chocolates@risa.ph.
Where to buy: For the full list, click here.
- Place online orders via Marketa.ph.
- Risa Chocolate Kitchen – BF Almanza, Las Piñas City
- Bar Pintxos – Alabang and Taguig City
- Real Food – Alabang, Muntinlupa City
- Gourmet Corner – Makati City and Shangri-la Mall
- Connie’s Kitchen – Pasig City and Quezon City
- Kultura shops in SM Malls
Website: risa.ph
Facebook: facebook.com/risachocolate
Which of these local chocolate brands is your favorite? Share it with us in the comments below!
Featured images grabbed from True Chocolate PH, Tigre Y Oliva, and Auro Chocolate Instagram pages
