The Academy of Chocolate is delighted to announce its eagerly awaited list of 2017 Bar winners. Our demanding panels of judges tasted and re-tasted 600 entries from around the world, twice as many as last year.
Great quality products came from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and UAE, with Canada continuing to prove exemplary in Bean to Bar production with a Gold for Hummingbird’s Hispaniola 85%, and Madagascar still going from strength to strength, with a Gold for Åkesson’s Bejofo Estate 75% Criollo. In the new Tree to Bar category created to reward enterprises working to raise the quality of cacao grown and return profits locally, Chocolat Madagascar 100% cocoa won a much-acclaimed Gold. We were delighted to receive so many commendable Tree to Bar entries from all over the globe, some already outstanding, some still embarked on a steep learning curve, all showing enthusiasm and commitment. Other Bean to Bar Gold winners are Qantu Chocolate Gran Blanco 70% and Qantu Morropon 70%
and Jasper & Myrtle Nunu Black Opal 80%. Fermentation was still the focus of many of our jury’s discussions, and coarse grinding an interesting new major development, producing intriguingly granular bars with lovely fizzy acidity.
Chairman of the Jury Sarah Hartnett was impressed and encouraged: “I wish to add my sincerest congratulations to all the award winners. The many entries in the new Tree to Bar category really highlighted the global drive to improve chocolate. Elsewhere we found superb, innovative combinations of flavours. It seems to me that the future of the industry is looking stronger than ever”.
Academy Chairman Sara Jayne Stanes OBE commented: “It is doubly rewarding to see so many new entries from all four corners of the globe as well as many familiar chocolate people maintaining the quality and momentum of this fast growing, unprecedented arena of chocolate excellence. I am excited that the Academy of Chocolate has the chance to recognise them.”
Dormouse Chocolates from Manchester, UK won a popular Gold for its 51.5% Milk Guatemala as did Soma Chocolate’s Milk Old School from Toronto. Best in show white Bean to Bar was Gold winning Åkesson Madagascar 43% White Chocolate. In Flavoured dark bars, Hogarth and Fabric each won a Gold, and consistently brilliant Hummingbird and Åkesson each won 2 Golds. Salt seems to be slightly ahead of chilli and pepper as the new classic flavour, alongside old favourites Gianduja and Coffee, with a Gold for Castronovo’s 58% Tumaco Mocha Milk. Chocolatiers are now rivalling top perfumers in their accomplished capture of spice and flower. There were exuberant crazy innovations, like tomato and raspberry or shallot and garlic, some better than others. And perhaps not surprisingly the Brits excelled in the creation of exquisite Flavoured milk bars, with Golds for Rococo ‘s Orange Blossom Neroli and Waitrose’s Indian Ocean Chocolate with Coconut 54%: fine chocolate has indeed come a long way in the U.K.
The awards will be presented at a glittering celebration at Claridges in July, where the Special Awards will be announced. This year for the first time the Golden Bean, Newcomer, Rising Star and Mott Green Sustainability Awards will be joined by the new Golden Bonbon Award which will celebrate the highest scoring filled chocolate in the competition.
ACADEMY OF CHOCOLATE AWARDS 2017
BARS
Tree to Bar
GOLD
Belvie Chocolate BELVIE LAM DONG 70%
Chocolat Madagascar CHOCOLAT MADAGASCAR - 100% COCOA
SILVER
Amma Chocolate AMMA Chocolate 100%
Chocolat Madagascar CHOCOLAT MADAGASCAR – domaine MAVA 85%
Chocolat Madagascar CHOCOLAT MADAGASCAR - domaine MAVA plantation 75%
Chocolat Madagascar Chocolat Madagascar – domaine BRICKAVILLE
Krakakoa Krakakoa 75% Single Origin Saludengen
Marou Marou Coconut Milk and Ben Tre
One/One Cacao One/One Cacao – Mahogany Hall 68%
BRONZE
Amma Chocolate AMMA Chocolate 75%
Belvie Chocolate BELVIE TIEN GIANG 70%
Belvie Chocolate BELVIE HAO MAC 80%
Krakakoa Krakakoa 70% Single Origin Sedayu
Malagos Chocolate Malagos 65% Dark Chocolate
Malagos Chocolate Malagos 72% Dark chocolate
Menakao Menakao 100%
One/One Cacao One/One Cacao – Mahogany Hall 71%
St Vincent Cocoa Company Vincentian Chocolate
T. brothers t. brothers dark chocolate Ba Ria 70%
COMMENDED
Amazona Chocolate Amazona Chocolate – Morona Dark 78%
Amma Chocolate Theobroma Grandiflorum
Malagos Chocolate Malagos 85% Dark chocolate
T. brothers t.brothers dark chocolate Dak Lak 70%
T. brothers t.brothers dark chocolate Ben Tre 70%
Tri Island TriIsland St Andrews with nibs
Trinidad &Tobago Fine Cocoa Company Tamana 50% Milk Chocolate
Dark Bean to Bar under 80%
GOLD
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's Madagascar Bejofo Estate 75% Criollo
Qantu Chocolate Gran Blanco 70%
Qantu Chocolate Morropon 70%
SILVER
Acalli Chocolate Barataria Blend 70% Dark Chocolate
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's Brazil 75% Forastero
Askinosie 70% San Jose Del Tambo, Ecuador Dark Chocolate Bar
Bullion Chocolate Bullion Chocolate-70% HAITI, ACUL DU NORD
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate - Patanemo, Venezuela 70%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate - Amazonas, Venezuela 72%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Honduras Lost City 72%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate - Nicalizo, Nicaragua 70%
Chocolaterie Morin Pérou Chanchamayo 63%
Chocolaterie Morin Pérou Yvan 70%
Choctree Peru Gran Chililique 70
Choctree Madagascar Ambanja 70
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate 72% Solomon Islands
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate 75% Brazil
Domori Domori Arriba Hacienda Victoria
Dormouse Chocolates Guatemala 72% Dark
Feitoria do Cacao Feitoria do Cacao – Nicarágua Nicalizo 76%
Franceschi Chocolate Franceschi Chocolate Ocumare 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade Chuno70% Tripple Turned
Friis-Holm Chokolade Barba 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade O'Payo 68%
Garçoa Garçoa's Idukki 78%
Garçoa Garçoa's Chulucanas 75%
Hogarth Craft Chocolate Hogarth Craft Chocolate – Gran Blanco
Hogarth Craft Chocolate Hogarth Craft Chocolate – Acul du Nord
Hummingbird Chocolate Cap Haitien
Idilio Origins Idilio Selección Amiari Merideña No2
Idilio Origins Idilio Porcelana CriolloPuro No1
Idilio Origins Idilio Selección Cata Ocumare No3
Letter Press Chocolate Costa Esmeraldas Ecuador
Mamuschka 70% CRIOLLO ECUADOR
Mamuschka 70% CRIOLLO PERU
Minimal FRUITY CITRIC BOLIVIA 67%
Minimal FRUITY BERRY-LIKE FINE VIETNAM 68%
Minimal NUTTY RAW-LIKE Haiti
Mirzam Mirzam Single Origin India
Míšinačokoláda / Misha'sChocolate Míšinačokoláda (Misha's chocolate) Dark 75%
Obolo Chocolate OBOLO Chocolate 70% Tostado Suave
Palette de Bine Palette de Bine Vietnam Lam Dong 72%
Palette de Bine Palette de Bine Pérou Marañón 70%
Qantu Chocolate La Mar, Chuncho 70%
Red Star Chocolate Duffy's Nicaragua Chuno 70%
Sirene Chocolate Kokoa Kamili
Solomons Gold Solomons Gold Dark Smooth
Soma Chocolate Porcelana
Ta. Cho Taller De Chocolate Demetria 71% Finca "El Paraíso".
Taste Artisan Chocolate Piura 75%
Tobago Cocoa Estate TOBAGO ESTATE CHOCOLATE
Zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur Peru Huallaga Nativo 75%, dark cho
Zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur Zotter-Labooko, Madagaskar 75%
BRONZE
Amazona Chocolate Amazona Chocolate-Gran Pajatén Dark 73%
Beaucacao BEAUCACAO Asajaya Estate 73%
Boho Chocolate BOHO's Organic 70% Maya Mountain Cacao Belize
Brasstown Chocolate Venezuelan Guasare 70%
Bullion Chocolate Bullion Chocolate -70% BOLIVIA ALTOBENI
CHOCOLANÝŽE Belize 70%, TCGA cooperative
Chocolat du Jour BEAN TO BAR PRATIGI 53%
Chocolat du Jour BEAN TO BAR PRATIGI 70%
Chocolate Story Porcelana 70%
Chocolaterie Morin Vietnam Thanh Long 70%
Chocolaterie Morin Jamaïque Marvia 63%
Coconama COCO-LABO Belize 70%
Conexión Chocolate VIRGIN 70% CONEXIÓN CHOCOLATE
creo chocolate Purely Dark Bar
Cultura Chocolate 70% Guatemala
DamsonC hocolate Philippines 70%
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate 72% Belize, Toledo
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate 72% Madagascar
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate 73% Northerner Blend
Domori Domori Ocumare 77
Domori Domori 70% Criollo
Franceschi Chocolate Franceschi Chocolate Choroni 70%
Franceschi Chocolate Franceschi Chocolate Canoabo 70%
Fresco Chocolate Fresco Chocolate 72% Dominican Republic Recipe 224
Friis-Holm Chokolade Medagla 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade Indio Rojo 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade Chuno 70% DoubleTurned
Friis-Holm Chokolade Johe 70%
Georgia Ramon Belize 70%
Georgia Ramon Island Growers 77%
Green Chocolate Green bean to bar CHOCOLATE MADAGASCAR 70%-NIBS
Green Chocolate Green bean to bar CHOCOLATE BOLIVIA 70%
Guittard Machu Picchu Peru 65% Cacao
Hoja Verde Chocolate Hoja Verde Esmeraldas Organic 72%
Hotel Chocolat St Lucia Island Growers 72% Dark
Hummingbird Chocolate Hispaniola
Hummingbird Chocolate Honduras
Hummingbird Chocolate Maple
Hummingbird Chocolate Reserva Zorzal
Hummingbird Chocolate Alta Verapaz
Hummingbird Chocolate Oh Mama!
Idilio Origins Idilio Cooperativa Amazonas No5.
Idilio Origins Idilio Trinchera No16.
Jakub Piątkowsk Czekolada Jakub Piątkowski Czekolada Madagaskar 72%
Jakub Piątkowsk Czekolada Jakub Piątkowski Czekolada Republika Dominikany 67%
Jakub Piątkowsk Czekolada Jakub Piątkowski Czekolada Honduras 70%
Jcocoa 70% Dark Rugoso chocolate
Land Chocolate 70% Honduras dark
Letter Press Chocolate Ucayali Peru
Letter Press Chocolate Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania
Letter Press Chocolate Maya Mountain Belize
Meiji THE Chocolate Meiji THE Chocolate Mexico White Cacao
Minimal FRUITY BERRY-LIKE/FINE/COLOMBIA/65%
Minimal FRUITY BERRY-LIKE/FINE/DARKROAST/VIETNAM/68%
Minimal NUTTY CHOCOLATY/INDONESIA/70%
Minimal FRUITY CITRIC/FINE/BOLIVIA/67%
Mission Chocolate São Paulo 75%
Mission Chocolate Catongo 70% The White Forastero
Molucca Chocolate Molucca - 70% Espanola, DR
Molucca Chocolate Molucca - 72% Morogoro, T anzania
Mucho-Mundo Chocolate Tapachula
Obolo Chocolate ÓBOLO Chocolate 70% Cacao
Palette de Bine Palette de Bine Tanzanie Kokoa Kamili 72%
Pangea Chocolate Caribe -Dominican Republic 76%
Pangea Chocolate Alto Beni - Bolivia76%
Potomac Chocolate Duarte, Dominican Republic 70%
Sirene Chocolate Tingo Maria
Solkiki Gran Nativo Blanco 78%
Solkiki Kablon
Soma Chocolate Bachelor's Hall
Soma Chocolate Tien Giang
Tadzio Chocolate Tadzio Chocolate Brazil 73%
Taste Artisan Chocolate Amazonas 75%
Zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur Zotter Labooko Peru Barranquita 75% darkchocola
Zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur Zotter Labooko Peru Quinacho 75%
Dark Bean to Bar 80% and over cocoa solids
GOLD
Hummingbird Chocolate Hispaniola 85%
Jasper and Myrtle Nunu – Black Opal 80% Dark Chocolate
SILVER
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's Madagascar 100% Criollo
Conexión Chocolate VIRGIN 85% CONEXIÓN CHOCOLATE
Original Beans Original Beans, Cusco Chuncho 100%
BRONZE
Belyzium Belyzium 83
Belyzium Belyzium 100
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Tumaco Colombia 85%
Conexión Chocolate VIRGIN 100% CONEXIÓN CHOCOLATE
Friis-Holm Chokolade La Dalia 85%
Georgia Ramon Wild Bení 84%
Hotel Chocolat St Lucia Island Growers 100%
Mamuschka 80% CRIOLLO ECUADOR CON MIEL
Mamuschka 100% CRIOLLO ECUADOR
Pangea Chocolate South Cotabato – Philippines 83%
Red Star Chocolate Duffy's Panama 100%
Solkiki Kablon
Milk Bean to Bar
GOLD
Dormouse Chocolates 51.5% Milk Guatemala
Soma Chocolate Milk Old School
SILVER
Chocolarder Chuno 55% Milk
Chocolaterie Morin Pérou Piura lait 48%
Choctree Madagascar Ambanja 50
creo chocolate Browned-Butter bar
creo chocolate Dark Milk with Flor De Sal
Dark Forest Chocolate Milk Chocolate 50%
Friis-Holm Chokolade O'Payo Milk 50%
Hoja Verde Chocolate Hoja Verde Milk chocolate 50%
Jcocoa 40% Nicalizo caramelised dark milk chocolate
Red Star Chocolate Duffy's Oh Chuno! 45%
Sirene Chocolate Lachua Dark Milk
Soma Chocolate Fazenda Boa Vista
BRONZE
Askinosie 62% Dark Milk Chocolate + Fleur De Sel Bar
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Sierra Nevada Dark Milk 63%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Dominican Republic Milk 55%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Tumaco Colombia Milk 60%
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Patanemo Venezuela Milk 66%
Choco Card Nica La Dalia Milk 58%
Chocolat du Jour BEAN TO BAR PRATIGI 45%
Chocolaterie Morin Vietnam Thanh Long lait 48%
Chocolaterie Morin Bolivie Ekekolait 48%
Damson Chocolate 55% Buffalo Milk Chocolate
Dark Forest Chocolate Goat Milk 55%
Foodgeek Chocolate 55% Dark Milk Chocolate
Friis-Holm Chokolade Dark Milk 55%
Guittard MILK CHOCOLATE ORGANIC WAFERS 38% CACAO
Hotel Chocolat Ghana Kuapa Kokoo 55% Milk
Hotel Chocolat Honduras Mayan Red 65% Milk
Killian & Close 45% Pure Panama
Killian & Close 66% Pure Dominican Republic
Land Chocolate 58% chuno milk
Meiji THE Chocolate Meiji THE Chocolate Dominica Dark Milk Deep Fruity Cacao
Meiji THE Chocolate Meiji THE Chocolate Vivid Milk
Meiji THE Chocolate Meiji THE Chocolate Velvet Milk
Meiji THE Chocolate Meiji THE Chocolate Sunny Milk
Menakao 45% Milk Madagascan Vanilla
R Chocolate London Milk Chocolate Bar 42%
Republica del Cacao MILK CHOCHOLATE ECUADOR 40%
Twyfords To You Haiti Supermilk 50%
White Bean to Bar
GOLD
Åkessons's Organic
Akesson's Madagascar 43% White Chocolate - Organic
SILVER
Chocolat-Ferrier CHOCOLAT BLOND
BRONZE
Askinosie “Dirty” White Chocolate + Vintage Cocoa Gravel
Hotel Chocolat Dominican Republic 40% White
Republica del Cacao White Chocolate Ecuador 31%
Flavoured Dark Chocolate Bar
GOLD
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's 75% Trinitario & Voatsiperifery pepper
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's 75% Trinitario & Pink pepper
Fabric Chocolate Ecuador Dark Chocolate with Kumquat & coffee beans
Hogarth Craft Chocolate Hogarth Craft Chocolate - Gianduia, Dark Hazelnut
Hummingbird Chocolate Toffee Nib
Hummingbird Chocolate Mayan
SILVER
Choc Amor Three Pepper
Choctree WhiskyNibs
creo chocolate RASPBERRY DARK
Hummingbird Chocolate Honey Lavender
Jasper and Myrtle Himalayan Rock Salt and Wakame D
Land Chocolate Malt Dark
Mirzam Rose
Mirzam Dates & Fennel
Original Beans Original Beans Cru Udzungwa 70% with Nibs
Palette de Bine Palette de Bine Wild Harvest Bolivie "Sapin"
BRONZE
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's 75% Trinitario & Black pepper
Åkessons's Organic Akesson's Brazil 75% Forastero & Coffee Nibs
Amma Chocolate Maracuyaya
Amma Chocolate cupuaçu
Belyzium Belyzium Nibs
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Tumaco Mocha 68%
Chocolate Hill Chocolate Hill Himalayan salt 60%
Coco ChocolateCo 70% cacao with Achill Island Sea Salt
creo chocolate SPICY DARK
creo chocolate NIBS SEA SALT
creo chocolate MINTY DARK
Damson Chocolate Nicaragua Sourdough
Fabric Chocolate Cuba Dark Chocolate + Tonka Beans & Date vinegar
Forte Chocolates Honey
Forte Chocolates Orange Jazz
Hoja Verde Chocolate Hoja Verde Organic Mint 72%
Hummingbird Chocolate Fleur de Sel
Hummingbird Chocolate Orange Cardamom
Krakakoa Krakakoa Dark Chocolate Sea Salt & Pepper
Lolas Apothecary Queen of Roses Chocolate Bar
Map Chocolate Love Shack
Molucca Chocolate Molucca – Pink Salt and Nibs bar
Octo Chocolate Raw Chocolate bar with Almonds, Coffee & Mulberry
Solkiki Fortunato No.4 – Maranon 68% - Whisky soaked nibs
Flavoured Milk Chocolate Bar
GOLD
Castronovo Castronovo Chocolate – Tumaco Mocha Milk 58%
Rococo Chocolates Orange Blossom Neroli
Waitrose Indian Ocean Chocolate with Coconut 54% Cocoa
SILVER
Amelia Rope Chocolate Pale Hazelnut & Sea Salt
Choc Amor Turkish Charm 50%
Hotel Chocolat Ultimate Caramel
Killian & Close Kilian & Close 48% Nocciola Piemonte
Malmo Chokladfabrik Cacao Nibs
The Violet Chocolate Company Honey Rosemary
BRONZE
Boho Chocolate BOHO's 51% Milk Chocolate + Hickory Smoked Sea Salt
Cōchu 'Racha
Damson Chocolate Cinnamon Cream
Dormouse Chocolates Brazil 60% Milk with Lightly Smoked Sea Salt
Exquisito Chocolates Who the hell is Earl?
Georgia Ramon Coffee & Cocoa Nibs 55%
Hotel Chocolat St Lucia 65% Buffalo Milk with Pumpkin Seeds &S alt
Jordi's Chocolate 45% Milk with Nibs
Kanmi Chocolate KANMI Five Spice Bar
Killian & Close 52% Noix Du Périgord
Killian & Close 48% Pure Dominican with Nibs
Krakakoa Krakakoa Dark Milk Chocolate Ginger
Krakakoa Krakakoa Milk Chocolate Creamy Coffee
Lady Lavender Masala Chai
Lucocoa 50% Milk chocolate
Malmo Chokladfabrik Singin´ in the rain
Malmo Chokladfabrik Coffee Crush
Malmo Chokladfabrik Tangy Raspberry
Mamuschka LECHE CON VAINILLA
Map Chocolate Meteor Shower
Red Star Chocolate Duffy's Ecuador 43% with salt & nibs
Solkiki Fortunato No.4 – Maranon 60% - Whisky soaked nibs
Taman Chocolates TAMAN Milk 35 Coconut, Lemon and Lemongrass
The Melange Salted Caramel and Juniper berries
Flavoured White Chocolate Bar
GOLD
ChocoMe chocoMe Entrée/Carré BL104
Cōchu Roasted Latte
Georgia Ramon Raspberry & Rose
SILVER
ChocoMe chocoMe Entrée/Carré BL101
ChocoMe chocoMe Entrée/Carré BL105
Forte Chocolates Rosemary Sea Salt
Forte Chocolates Lemon Pepper
Gorvett and Stone Salty Blond Bar
Jasper and Myrtle Caffe Bianco – White Chocolate with coffee
Mirzam Saffron Infused White Chocolate
BRONZE
ChocoMe chocoMe Entrée/Carré BL102
Forte Chocolates White Swan Espresso
Hotel Chocolat Walnut & Raisin
Kanmi Chocolate KANMI Sesame Bar
Mirzam Orange blossom infused with Roasted Almond
Solkiki White Chocolate Gianduja with Piedmont Hazelnut
