The Best of the Best: 2023 Americas Craft Chocolate Winners
In the world of fine chocolates, few accolades shine brighter than those from the International Chocolate Awards. These awards serve as a testament to craftsmanship, innovation, and the pursuit of perfection in the realm of cocoa. This year, the Americas Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition, an integral part of this global celebration, has once again spotlighted the crème de la crème of the industry. As connoisseurs, enthusiasts, and lovers of this delectable treat eagerly tuned in on 9 September 2023, they were greeted with surprising ties, outstanding performances, and emerging trends that will shape the chocolate narrative for years to come. Join us as we unwrap the layers of this competition and savor the flavors of the best craft chocolates the Americas have to offer.
The Judging Process
In the Summer of 2023, the Americas Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition adopted a remote judging approach, ensuring fairness and adaptability. A diverse panel, comprising regular judges, IICCT alumni, local specialists, and international Grand Jury members, collaborated to assess each entry. Upholding the competition's integrity, all entries were judged anonymously, devoid of brand influence, from initial assessments to final deliberations. The rigorous and unbiased procedure culminated in a private voting session, ensuring that awarded chocolates truly represented the zenith of craft and flavor.
Crafted to Perfection: The Celebrated Winners of 2023
These makers have not only showcased their skill but also set a golden standard for others to aspire to. Let's applaud the luminaries of this year's Americas Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition.
Plain/Origin Dark Bar Categories
Gold: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) with their tantalizing Arauca 70% scoring an impressive 91.7.
Chocolate Bar Description: In a land surrounded by radiant and endless rivers, a variety of cacao is cultivated that gives life to a chocolate with aromas of honey, tangerines, and flowers.
Plain/Origin Milk Bar Categories
Gold: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) yet again dazzle with the creamy Tumaco Leche 53%, achieving a score of 90.4.
Chocolate Bar Description: In the land of pristine beaches and magical jungles, a native cacao is cultivated. A cacao that, to the rhythm of nature and the smiles of the farmers, transforms into a chocolate with notes of caramel, nuts, and spices.
Flavoured Bar Categories
Gold: Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) brings the unique taste of their region with Pitaya de mayo 58%, shining brightly with a score of 91.0.
Filled Chocolates
Gold: St. Croix Chocolate Company (United States) tantalizes the palate with their exquisite Macadamia bonbon, earning a remarkable 89.8.
Winning Brands at Kekao.co
At Kekao.co, not only do we curate a selection of the world's finest chocolates, but we also take immense pride in showcasing award-winning brands that have truly set the standard in the chocolate industry. In this section, we're thrilled to spotlight the winners from the recent Americas Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition that are featured on our store. Each brand, with its unique flavors and craftsmanship, has earned its accolades and now awaits your palate. Whether you've followed their journey or are just discovering these masterpieces, we invite you to explore and indulge in these celebrated winners.
Cacaosuyo Chuncho Cuzco
Category: Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Award: Silver
Score: 90.2
Grown deep in the jungle, Chuncho beans are some of the finest Peruvian cacao boasting an initial blast of fresh fruit and lingering herbal finish. This cacao gets its name from the jungle in which it grows deep within, Chunchada. Made with only cacao and sugar, the true taste of this rare cacao is apparent.
Amano Chocolate Madagascar
Category: Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Award: Silver
Score: 88.5
The quality of chocolate is influenced by time and place. Flavor changes with the seasons and is intricately tied to the soil and climate. At the turn of the century, criollo cacao trees were brought from Venezuela to the island of Madagascar. Amano crafted this chocolate from beans from the offspring of these trees. The mild chocolate character comes from the trees' Venezuelan heritage. The hints of citrus come from Madagascar's soil and climate and are unique to beans from Madagascar. The marriage results in a bar of extraordinary chocolate you will love.
Amano Chocolate Macoris
Category: Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Award: Silver
Score: 87.3
This is one of their newest single-origin bars. Made with beans from the Dominican Republic this bar has hints of apricot, caramel, brown sugar, and cream all held together with a rich earthy chocolate base.
Amano Chocolate Guayas
Category: Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Award: Bronze
Score: 85.9
From a fertile Guayas floodplain comes the pride of Ecuador- the Nacional cocoa bean, grown nowhere else in the world. In seclusion, farmers have cultivated wild cacao into a balanced expression of untamed nature and sophistication. Amano's hand-roasted this bean, using their antique stone grinder, releasing its characteristic floral aroma. Rich nuanced notes of smoke, green banana, and blackberry will transport you to another time and place where magic and love abound.
Cacaosuyo Rupa Rupa
Category: High % plain/origin dark chocolate bars (85% and over)
Award: Silver
Score: 87.7
The careful selection of cacao is key for this 100% chocolate. Unsweetened and delicate with subtle notes of red fruits and a long, roasty finish. Made with Trinitario beans from the Peruvian Amazon.
Cacaosuyo Piura Milk
Category: Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Award: Silver
Score: 86.9
Dick Taylor Straight Bourbon Whiskey Dark Chocolate
Category: Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Award: Silver
Score: 89.3
They turned to friends from artisan craft distillery; Sonoma Brothers Distilling. Using heavy-char new American oak barrels from their three years aged 'Straight Bourbon Whiskey', they fill and age the highest quality certified heirloom cacao from Belize for six months. The dry-aging process allows the cocoa nibs to absorb the aroma and flavor of the barrel and the spirit. Once fully aged, they use these delicious nibs to handcraft a 70% dark chocolate bar by adding only cocoa butter and cane sugar. The finished chocolate bar is sweet with complex & pronounced oak and bourbon flavors.
Amano Mango Chili
Category: Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Award: Silver
Score: 88.5
Chili and chocolate are almost the perfect combination. The two have been paired together since the time of the Aztecs when they were used to create a wonderful and refreshing drink. The mango's fruity creaminess provides the perfect counterpoint to the chili's warmth. The two together have become a favorite snack worldwide. With this Mango Chili bar, you will encounter not just the famous flavors of mango and chili peppers. You'll also taste the award-winning Guayas dark chocolate made with the finest beans out of Ecuador.
Cacaosuyo Piura w/ Nibs 70%
Category: Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Award: Gold
Score: 90.7
This 70% bar boasts bright, tropical citrus notes from Porcelana cacao. Intense fruitiness is balanced by a crunchy sprinkle of roasty cacao nibs. Made with rare Porcelana cacao and topped with roasted cacao nibs which contribute crunch and cacao flavor with no added sweetness.
Amano Raspberry Rose 55%
Category: Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Award: Bronze
Score: 85.1
Amano chocolate got its start finding some of the most amazing beans around the world and bringing out their natural flavors. Now with the same care and passion, they brought to single-origin chocolate their offering amazing chocolate bars with added natural flavors. As with their single-origin bars the focus is to be as true to the ingredients as possible. Here you will encounter not just the famous flavors of their dark chocolate made with Ecuadorian beans. You'll also find raspberries and rose petals ground and smoothly mixed with chocolate. Small bits of sugar crystals give a satisfying crunch in your mouth.
Dick Taylor Strawberries and Cream
Category: Combination chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Award: Bronze
Score: 85.1
To create this decadent bar, Dick Taylor layered their award-winning 72% Belize dark chocolate with single-origin white chocolate made with A2/A2 whole milk and freeze-dried strawberries. The result is a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat that tastes JUST like the real thing!
The International Chocolate Awards, showcases, that it is not just an event – it's a celebration of mastery, tradition, innovation, and the sheer passion chocolatiers bring to their craft. The heart and soul poured into every bar, the stories encapsulated within every flavor profile, and the craft behind each meticulous creation is a testament to the extraordinary lengths these artists go to in their quest for perfection. From the rigorous judging process that ensures the true champions shine, to the delectable winners we've highlighted – many of which we're proud to feature on Kekao.co – this competition underscores the evolving narrative of the chocolate world. As you explore these award-winners, may each bite transport you to the regions of the cacao, allowing you to savor the rich tapestry of flavors. Here's to another year of unparalleled excellence, and to the many more chocolate adventures awaiting our palates!
