Davao’s Malagos Chocolates bags 6 international awards

DAVAO CITY – Nothing is sweeter for Davao City’s Malagos Chocolate than the six international awards it received for different categories in this year’s International Chocolate Awards-Asia Pacific held at Grand Crus, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The multi-awarded Malagos Chocolate, which has now 24 international awards, won the gold award for the 65% Dark Chocolate; three silver awards for the 85% Dark Chocolate (Bar Category), Malagos Rhum (Flavored Dark Chocolate Ganaches or Truffles Category) and Malagos 72% Dark Chocolate Ganache (Unflavoured Dark Chocolate Ganaches or Truffles Category); and two bronze for the 65% Dark Chocolate (Bar Category) and Salted Caramel (Dark Chocolate Enrobed Caramels Category).

Rex Victor Puentespina of the Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation said in a press statement on Tuesday that Malagos Chocolate competed with 700 other products belonging to over 100 chocolate companies from different countries.

“Cacao farmers from Davao win again as Malagos Chocolate receives 5 international awards + a GOLD national award at the 2018 International Chocolate Awards - Asia Pacific!” Puentespina said.

Malagos Chocolate now has a total of 24 international wins to date. Puentespina said Malagos won early this year nine (9) international awards – five (5) and four (4) from the Academy of Chocolate in May and Great Taste in August, he added.

Malagos chocolate products are in international markets like Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.

On its website, the International Cacao Awards said judging panel included judges from the USA, Europe, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and members of international Grand Jury panel around the world. It said all gold, silver, and bronze winners are eligible to enter the World Final, with the exception of winners of the Cacao Growing Country Support competitions in Peru and Central America.

The award-giving body said prizes are awarded only to entries that meet the required standard in each category.

The 2018 Asia-Pacific competition was held for the first time as an independent competition in Asia. This year also saw the doubling of entries from 2017 as part of the Americas competition.

Other winners in the competition were entries from Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)