It’s no secret that Pinoys have a sweet tooth—dyabetes or not—so for the chocoholics and the choco experts out there, we have compiled a list of the who’s-who of Pinoy chocolates.
Some chocolates on this list are childhood favourites, while others are arte-san and so boushee and sosy.
Yes, some may not even have real chocolate in them, but they have that all-important element that you just can’t refuse: nostalgia.
One itty-bitty bite and you’re transported to the Philippines, when you were young and wild and erm…free?
Free from guilt, free from girth, free from sugar rush and free from cavities (that’s what we thought).
So, grab some treats next time you’re at a Pinoy store, buy some for pasalubong when you’re in the Philippines and then…Choc On!
Choco Crunchies
A childhood staple, Choco Crunchies are chocolate-covered biscuits that taste like a cross between pretzels and Ritz crackers.
Flat, scalloped edged and perfect for a snack, Choco Crunchies are a must-try.
Choc Nut and Hany Milk Chocolate
Choc-Nut is the little chocolate that could: it could turn you into an addict, that’s what.
It tastes a bit like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup: half-peanut, half-chocolate, crumbly and messy to eat, but boy, it packs a tasty punch.
I’m betting you can’t eat just one.
It has a twin chocolate sister called Hany—almost identical in taste and packaging.
Curly Tops and Flat Tops
Another nostalgic blast from a Pinoy childhood past, Curly Tops—and its twin sibling Flat Tops—has been a staple chocolate candy treat in the Philippines for the past 65+ years.
Manufactured by Ricoa, Curly and Flat Tops (one has a curly swirl on top, and the othe one is flat, hence the name), may be similar in shape and taste, but the company insists they are quite different.
A little harder and more rigid than most chocolates, they don’t quite melt in your mouth. More sugary than cocoa-ey, these delightful treats come in just the right size for a mid-afternoon snack.
Choco Mallows
With its pillowy marshmallow in the middle, gooey chocolate on top and crunchy bisquit at the bottom, this just might be the Pinoy equivalent of campfire-fave smores.
This foil-covered treat is quite popular in the Philippines and is made by the same parent company as Curly Tops and Flat Tops.
Auro Chocolate
Auro Chocolate. Photos from Auro website.
Balut chocolate, anyone? How about Calamansi Cheesecake-flavoured chocolate bars?
Internationally award-winning Auro Chocolate is a relatively new chocolate company based in Davao City, touted as the Philippines’ chocolate capital.
Its balut chocolate egg is a cheeky take on the Philippines’ favourite pulutan (appetizer). Or perhaps it’s an imitation of Kinder Eggs?
Either way, their products are pasalubong-worthy.
Grab some when you’re back home!
Auro has since expanded its products into retail stores and cafes in the Philippines (in boushee BGC no less), Japan and Bahrain.
Their products include chocolate bars, chocolate drinks and baking mixes.
Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolate
Theo & Philo is another artisan chocolate company from Davao City.
How can you resist flavours like dark chocolate with mango and salt, dark chocolate with calamansi, milk chocolate adobo or milk chocolate turon?
Available mostly in the Philippines, plus internationally like Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Europe, this chocolate company is sure to make every Filipino proud.
Malagos Chocolate
Malagos Chocolate boasts having the first chocolate museum in the Philippines and having won 56 international awards.
With products like chocolate beer (!!!), cacao vinegar, chocolate spreads on top of its artisan collection of chocolate bars, this chocolateur is top notch.
Not to mention their packaging is so darn cute—harana gift boxes for me, please.
