Academy of Chocolate Awards 2024

Gold winner: Chocolate Tree - Lachua, Guatemala, Milk 50%

The beans which make this creamy 50% milk bar are grown alongside majestic Ceiba trees, the sacred world tree of classic Mayan cosmology, which tower above the biodiverse jungle. The flavour profile of this bar includes notes of passionfruit, bananas and mocha.

This bar isn’t made anymore, so this is your last chance to get your hands on it!

Silver winner: Desbarres - Semuliki, Uganda, Dark 72%

This dark chocolate bar is fudgy in texture with notes of spice, jammy fruits, and an almost mulled wine like flavour on the background of deep chocolate. The melt is foremost elegant – even surprisingly smooth, despite there being no added cocoa butter.

Silver winner: DesBarres - Kilombero, Tanzania, Dark 72%

On first impression, one will be in awe (we hope) of the fudgy texture. This chocolate beholds a smooth, clean melt, and a flavour profile that bursts of citrus fruit and cherries. There is a slight leathery note towards the end that rounds of the overall flavour experience.

Silver winner: Heinde & Verre - Pearl of Ecuador 100%

Discover the exquisite Nacional Arriba cacao variety from the Hacienda Victoria Estate in it’s purest form. The 100% chocolate is smooth, with tasting notes of walnut, coffee, herbs, and rich chocolate brownie.

Silver winner: Standout - PISA, Haiti, Dark Milk 60%

This 60% dark milk chocolate has a smooth melting texture. It’s fudgy with a toasty and malted flavour. It’s an incredibly interesting milk chocolate bar, with little bitterness and lots of creaminess.

Bronze winner: Bare Bones - Dominican Republic, Dark 68% with Salt

A balanced, nutty aroma greets this Dominican chocolate, with flavour notes of salted caramel and roasted hazelnuts. Salt from renowned salt producer Maldon brings out the natural sweetness of the cocoa, making this a bar you won’t want to put down.

Bronze winner: Chocolarder - Caramelised Blonde, White 40%

This 40% white bar is Chocolarder’s mature take on a childhood favourite – the caramelisation of the Ghanaian cocoa gives rise to notes of biscuit, caramel, and sweet shortbread.  Truly Ghana Gold from the Asokwa Co-operative

Bronze winner: Bare Bones - Guatemala, Dark 65%

Guatemalan beans are famous for their sweet and floral aromas, which are brought out expertly in this creation from Scottish chocolate maker Bare Bones. The single-origin 65% dark bar plays on that floral sweetness with notes of honey and tropical fruit.

Bronze winner: Chocolarder - Guadalcanal, Dark 67%

This 67% dark bar from Chocolarder is smooth and fruity. The chocolate initially has notes of of mango and pineapples, which develop into flavours of malty biscuits, coffee and walnuts.

Bronze winner: Chocolate Tree - Chuncho, Peru, Dark 75%

This 70% dark bar from Chocolate Tree is made from the rare Chuncho bean. The bar is cooling with a lovely length, and we tasted lots of bright, citrusy acidity towards the end.

Bronze winner: Firetree - Mindanao, Philippines, Dark Milk 50%

This dark milk bar from Firetree is complex and delicious. The chocolate has undertones of honey and chocolate brownie, which marries perfectly with the top notes of citrus.

Bronze winner: Jordi's - STO Dark 100%

As with much 100% cacao chocolate, the flavour of this powerful bar is dominated by an intense astringency. One for the brave!

Bronze winner: Qantu - Morropon, Piura Peru, Dark 70%

Initially the dark bar opens with a green sherbet-like aroma. As the vibrant chocolate melts, lemons and lime burst forth along with some cherries and plums. As with all of Qantu’s bars the chocolate has a wonderful acidity that strikes just the right balance. While this is undeniably a zesty and fruity bar, a gentle spice, similar to green pepper also comes through.

Bronze winner: Tobago Estate - Laura Milk 45%

This bar has a unique, amber-like appearance, with a caramel hue that hints at the flavours inside. It’s extremely buttery and releases caramel notes from the very first bite. The epitome of indulgence, it has a wonderfully smooth, luscious finish.

Bronze winner: Vinte Vinte - Limited Edition, Peru, Dark 75%

This 75% dark bar is sourced from the Marañon Valley in Peru, and made from ultra rare Puro Nacional beans, which gives the chocolate a delicate body with notes of fruit, flowers, and nuts.

Bronze winner: Vinte Vinte - Limited Edition, Peru, Dark 70%

This 70% dark bar is sourced from the Marañon Valley in Peru, and made from ultra rare Puro Nacional beans, which gives the chocolate a delicate body with notes of fruit, flowers, and nuts.

Bronze award: Qantu - Dreams of Cashmere, Goat's Milk 55%

This bar is made from goat’s milk, which joins in a dance with the cocoa aromas and delicate floral notes reminiscent of pear and camomile.