Combine the excitement of the Olympics with the indulgence of premium global chocolate? Yes, please!
The Competition
We hosted our own Chocolate Olympics, featuring 10 previously untried brands of premium global chocolate, including 7 specialty store finds. We chose nut-free options to accommodate allergies.
Countries Represented
Just like Olympic athletes, premium global chocolate can have a rich multicultural heritage. When curating our list, we considered a range of factors for each bar, including cacao bean origin, production country, cultural influences on flavor and technique, and company headquarters. We’ve assembled a diverse and vibrant selection of countries that showcase the global spirit of chocolate.
Meet the Judges
Our diverse panel of judges represented Rwanda, Denmark, Ghana, Iran, and Armenia. (These countries were chosen based on their similarity to our family members’ names). Each judge rated each chocolate on a scale from 1 to 10. We awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals based on the highest cumulative scores.
Unwrapping Each Contender
Marou Dak Lak Single Origin 70% (Vietnam): Marou sources cacao beans and crafts its chocolate bars in Vietnam. Dak Lak is a hidden gem in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
Pump Street Madagascar Milk 58% (Madagascar): Pump Street sources cacao from Akesson’s family estate in Madagascar. Both companies have roots in the UK.
Mayana Fix Bar (USA): Mayana’s Fix Bar stands out as the sole candy bar entry in our competition. It combines rich dark chocolate with velvety caramel and crumbly shortbread.
Manoa Niu Coconut Milk 65% (USA): Manoa Chocolate offers a unique twist on American chocolate with native Hawaiian flavors and packaging.
Taza Mexicano Discs Vanilla 50% (Mexico): Taza Chocolate is renowned for its rustic, stone-ground Mexican-style chocolate discs with a gritty texture.
Akesson’s Madagascar Trinitario & Pink Pepper 75% (France): This French-crafted bar showcases cacao from Madagascar’s Ambolikapiky Plantation. Pink pepper adds a unique flavor that must be an acquired taste.
Fruition Browned Butter Milk Chocolate 43% (Dominican Republic): Fruition has a crowd pleaser with this milk chocolate bar infused with caramelized browned butter flavors.
Alter Eco Burnt Caramel 70% (Switzerland): Alter Eco prioritizes fair trade, organic, and regenerative agriculture as a certified B Corporation.
Hu Salty Dark Chocolate 70% (Italy): Hu promotes its Vegan and non-GMO certifications, as well as its focus on organic, fair trade, and high-quality ingredients.
Endangered Species Caramel & Sea Salt 60% (USA): Endangered Species seemed below the quality of other brands but remained enjoyable for many judges.
Medal Ceremony
Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for – the results of our family’s Chocolate Olympics!
Gold Medal
Fruition Browned Butter Milk Chocolate 43% (Dominican Republic)
All judges rated this among their top few.
Silver Medal
Taza Mexicano Discs Vanilla 50% (Mexico)
4 of 5 judges rated this among their top few.
One judge did not care for the unique texture.
Bronze Medal
Hu Salty Dark Chocolate 70% (Italy)
Several judges were surprised that a bar with such high cocoa content could taste this good.
Closing Ceremonies
Our family’s Chocolate Olympics was not just about finding the best chocolate. It was a delightful journey through different cultures, flavors, and chocolate-making traditions. We learned about the intricate process of chocolate production, from bean to bar, and gained a new appreciation for the art of chocolate making.
This experience reminded us that, much like in the real Olympics, it’s not just about winning. It’s about coming together, trying new things, and appreciating the diversity that makes our world – and our chocolate – so rich and interesting.
So, why not host your own Chocolate Olympics? It’s a sweet way to bring your family together, explore new flavors, and maybe even discover your new favorite chocolate brand.
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