Vietnam, located in far East Asia, stands out as a must-visit destination with its tropical allure, warm hospitality, and captivating attractions. One notable aspect contributing to the country’s appeal is its thriving chocolate industry. To delve into the history of chocolate in Vietnam, it traces back to the late 19th century when the French introduced cacao to the region. However, it wasn’t until the Soviet Union took control and facilitated mass cocoa production by bringing in Cuban cocoa farming experts that chocolate-making gained momentum in the form of chocolate factories in Vietnam.
The emergence of a robust chocolate culture in Vietnam began in the early 2000s, propelled by a meticulous focus on crop quality and cocoa production by the United States. Recognizing Vietnam as an ideal location for cultivating high-quality cocoa, both China and the United States closely monitored cacao production in the region. This scrutiny sparked an interest among the Vietnamese people, leading to increased efforts in understanding and experimenting with chocolate production, including the creation of artisanal chocolates.
Noteworthy aspects of Vietnamese chocolate production include the rise of single-origin blends and a commitment to sustainable cacao cultivation. Now, let’s explore some of the best chocolate manufacturers contributing to Vietnam’s chocolate renaissance.
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Legendary Chocolatier
Renowned as one of Vietnam’s iconic bean-to-bar chocolate producers, the Legendary Chocolatier stands out for its exceptional specialty chocolates. Sourcing cacao from various farms across the country, this chocolatier crafts unique chocolates by processing beans from different regions along with complementary ingredients such as flowers, fruits, and truffles. Notably, flower and fruit-infused chocolates, featuring ingredients like chrysanthemums, roses, and butterfly pea, offer a distinctive flavor profile worth exploring. The use of diverse ingredients, including passion fruit, ginger, kumquat, lemongrass, and white fungus, adds further richness to the chocolates. With a commitment to sustainability, the Legendary Chocolatier plays a significant role in promoting the use of cacao from sustainable farms.
Marou Chocolate
Pioneering the conversion of cacao beans into chocolate in Asia, Marou Chocolate has been a key player for the past decade. Sourcing cacao from six provinces in Vietnam, the company boasts the most diverse range of chocolates in the region. The unique packaging of their chocolates reflects the major terrains of the Mekong Delta. Visitors to the capital, Ho Chi Minh City, can tour the factory to witness the chocolate-making process. The company continually enhances its chocolate quality and flavors, with a focus on engaging with customers to deliver an exceptional chocolate experience.
Vietnam Chocolate House
A recent entrant into the chocolate scene, Vietnam Chocolate House is committed to the bean-to-bar concept. Known for its adventurous and unique chocolate flavors, the company invites visitors to observe the conversion of cacao beans into chocolate. Offering a variety of chocolate brands, the company prioritizes quality-monitored techniques in its production process. With a wide flavor profile, the chocolates produced by Vietnam Chocolate House are rich in taste, making it a must-visit for chocolate enthusiasts.
Stone Hill
A pioneering force in Vietnam, Stone Hill has been at the forefront of producing high-quality chocolate from locally sourced cacao beans. Embracing the bean-to-bar concept, the company ensures that the chocolatiers grow the cacao beans themselves, closely monitoring all stages from planting to harvesting. With a commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable farming, Stone Hill maintains over 50 cacao varieties in its farms, conducting intensive research to identify the best cacao trees for superior chocolate. The company’s dedication to biocontrol methods for pest control enhances the flavor of their chocolates.
Socola and Cocoa
Starting as a showroom in southern Vietnam, Socola and Cocoa have evolved into one of the country’s best chocolate factories. With chocolates made on-site, visitors can explore the production process by touring the factories. The staff provides insights into the journey from cacao beans to chocolate bars, offering a unique experience for those interested in the history and craft of chocolate making.
Belvie
Belvie stands out as an iconic chocolate brand in the region, known for its artisanal approach to chocolate making by Belgian Marc Vanborren and Janie Ha Tran. The duo embraces a tree-to-bar philosophy, carefully selecting cacao farm locations to benefit local economies. The entire process, from planting to harvesting beans, is meticulously monitored. After harvesting, Belvie employs grinding, sorting, and roasting techniques to ensure the production of high-quality chocolate. With multiple awards recognizing their excellence in chocolate making and a commitment to sustainable farming practices, Belvie sets a high standard. They refrain from using fertilizers other than cacao husks and avoid pesticides, ensuring the cacao produced is of top-notch quality. The inclusion of cacao beans from the Mekong Delta adds a distinctive flavor profile to their chocolates.
Belcholat Chocolatier
An exceptional chocolatier in Vietnam, Belcholat distinguishes itself with intricate chocolate-making dynamics and a team of professionals trained in artisanal production. The company utilizes unique methods to craft iconic chocolate flavors, offering bonbons made from scratch. Customers can choose from various flavors, including passion fruit and guava, with chocolate intensity indicated on each piece. It’s crucial to check ingredients for a guided expectation of flavor and taste.
Pheva Chocolatier
Specializing in chocolate bars, Pheva Chocolatier provides a diverse selection of chocolates from different regions of Vietnam. With a focus on dark chocolate as the base, the variety of flavors creates a unique taste profile, allowing customers to explore the country’s chocolate offerings. The absence of bonbons or pastries emphasizes the company’s commitment to delivering a broad range of high-quality chocolate bars.
Alluvia Chocolate
Founded by Diep and Xuan Ron, Alluvia Chocolate showcases their dedication to chocolate making using Vietnamese cacao beans. Handcrafted in the fertile Mekong Delta, the chocolate benefits from the region’s rich alluvium, infusing it with a fruity flavor. Beyond chocolate bars, Alluvia offers cacao nibs, roasted cacao beans, and cacao butter. The use of artisanal techniques contributes to the high quality and unique flavor of the products. The rich soils give rise to different chocolate flavors, such as guava, chili, and orange zest chocolates. The company has diversified its production to include dried local fruits like mango, guava, ginger, and pineapple.
In conclusion, Vietnam’s chocolate scene is a unique experience, offering some of the world’s best chocolates with diverse flavors and exceptional quality.
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Here are some chocolate factories from other countries than Vietnam:
