Asia's Finest Chocolate: Artisanal Makers You Need to Know
Chocolate is one of the world's most beloved indulgences, and the demand for high-quality, artisanal chocolate has been growing rapidly in recent years. While Europe and the Americas have long been known for their chocolate-making traditions, Asia has been emerging as a new hub for artisanal chocolate, with a growing number of talented chocolatiers and bean-to-bar makers producing exceptional chocolate with unique flavors and textures.
In this article, we will introduce you to a few of the best artisanal chocolate makers in Asia that you need to know. We have carefully selected these chocolatiers based on a range of factors, including their sourcing of ingredients, their production process, the quality and taste of their chocolate, and their reputation in the industry. From UAE to Vietnam, we will take you on a journey through Asia's finest chocolate and explore the flavors, techniques, and stories behind each chocolate maker.
Whether you're a chocolate lover looking to discover new flavors or a foodie interested in learning about the chocolate-making process, this article is for you. Join us as we explore the unique and delicious world of artisanal chocolate in Asia.
Fossa Chocolate (Singapore)
At Fossa Chocolate, they make chocolates and confections that are handcrafted from scratch in their workshop in Singapore. They roast, crack and winnow cacao beans and refine them into chocolate which is molded into bars and individually packaged by hand. The process is time-consuming but rewarding. By carefully handcrafting in small batches with no additives, they are able to showcase the unique flavors and nuances of each batch of cacao.
Working with farmers who have dedicated their lives to the craft of cacao cultivation and fermentation, they buy only high-quality cacao. Great chocolates can only be made from fine cacao that has been treated with care and skill. Through craftsmanship, they aim to bring forth the best flavors for your enjoyment.
At Fossa Chocolate, they take great pride in their craftsmanship, creating each small batch with no additives or shortcuts. Their goal is to offer chocolate that is pure and flavorful, allowing you to savor the distinct qualities of each batch.
Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat (Vietnam)
Vincent Mourou's successful advertising career in San Francisco didn't fulfill his desire for adventure, so he set out to find himself in Vietnam. During his journey, he met Samuel Maruta, a former banker living in Saigon with his family. While on a camping trip in the jungle in 2010, they both decided to take a bold step forward. With a quick Google search for "cacao plantation," they set out for a farm in Ba Ria Province, without even an address to guide them.
On the ferry ride back to Saigon, they made a promise to each other to start a company named Marou Faiseurs de Chocolat. With just a blender, an oven, and some cake tins, they began their work in Sam's kitchen. Today, Marou creates exquisite chocolate bars.
To ensure the highest quality, Marou only buy the best beans from a tight-knit network of small farmers, paying a premium price for each bag. Marou carefully roasts the cacao at low temperatures to bring out the unique flavors of each provincial origin.
Marou Faiseurs de Chocolat was one of the first "bean-to-bar" companies in Asia, and remains one of the few in the world to make chocolate at its origin. What began as a dream for two French adventurers has grown into a brand of pure dark chocolate made entirely from Vietnam's finest ingredients.
Shop Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat
Mirzam Chocolate (UAE)
Mirzam chocolate is a chocolate maker based in Dubai, United Arab Emerites. They carefully select single-origin cocoa beans for their diverse flavors and rich heritage, originating from regions along the maritime spice route where traders sailed hundreds of years ago to gather valuable ingredients for European buyers.
Using traditional granite wheels, their roasted beans are ground for several days to gradually decrease the molecule size, resulting in an incredibly smooth chocolate without the need for additional additives. Their single-origin collection features beans sourced from Vietnam, Indonesia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and India.
Fu Wan Chocolate (Taiwan)
Fu Wan Chocolate is the first Bean-To-Bar chocolate maker in Taiwan, founded by Warren Hsu who is the first chocolate taster in Taiwan to be certified by International Chocolate Tasting Institute. They specialize in both bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar chocolates, sourcing high-quality Taiwan cacao locally and premium cacao beans from around the world, and fusing chocolate with Taiwan's signature ingredients to create fresh and charming new flavors.
To get started with craft chocolate, start with our Kekao Box. We search the world for the finest chocolate bars and bring them right to your doorstep monthly. From rich dark Peruvian chocolate bars to new start-up chocolate bars on the come-up, you never know what you'll get inside the box! Each month we will curate 4 to 5 premium specialty crafted chocolate bars.
If you want to just try a couple of bars, check out our online chocolate store.
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