The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to announce the Winners of the 2018 European Bean-to-bar Competition, which was judged in Amsterdam, Netherlands, May 10 – June 11, at the Hilton Amsterdam and with ongoing Grand Jury sessions through to August 2018.
The Bean-to-bar competition focuses on fine, craft and micro-batch chocolate makers who work directly from cacao beans to produce plain/origin and flavoured chocolate bars from around Europe. Winners will go through to the World Final in Florence in October 2018. The competition is supported by the Hilton Amsterdam, and bean-to-bar chocolate shop Chocolatl.
2018 Highlights
The European Bean-to-bar was the Award’s first competition focusing only on bars of all types made by bean-to-bar chocolate makers, for the first time including flavoured inclusion, infusion and filled bars made directly from cacao beans. This year we saw an improved standard from European micro-batch producers, with both the dark and milk overall ‘Best-in-show’ prizes going to small craft chocolate makers, from Belgium and the UK.
European craft chocolate is fast catching up with the US craft chocolate movement, with almost 500 bars entered in the European competition, including from emerging small chocolate makers from Eastern Europe, as well as established French and Belgian chocolatiers going back to making their own chocolate.
The Grand Jury is very pleased to announce the winners and looks forward to a tough competition at the World Final as European, Americas and Asia-Pacific winners compete for the world’s most prestigious chocolate prizes.
Prize celebration, York, UK, 17 October 2018
The European Bean-to-bar winners will be celebrated at a combined event with the British Winners Ceremony at York Cocoa Works on the evening of 17 October 2018, as part of UK Craft Chocolate Week. Entry is by invitation.
Judges
The judging panel included regular European judges, along with pastry chefs, restaurateurs, journalists and other specialists from the local area and members of our international Grand Jury panel.
- Winners
- Finalists
- Judges
- Grand Jury
- Sponsors
Prizes
This was the fourth international competition devoted to bean-to-bar chocolate bars produced in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and for the first year, included flavoured bars made by chocolate makers. All judging is anonymised, including at the Grand Jury final session, where Golds, Silver and Bronze prizes are awarded by private voting according to the Grand Jury rules.
Prizes are awarded only to entries that meet the required standard for each prize.
View details of our sponsors and partners here.
(Prizes are shown in alphabetical order for each medal)
'Best in competition' overall winners
Plain/origin dark bar categories
Gold: Legast (Belgium) - Gran Nativo BlancoPlain/origin milk bar categories
Gold: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Honduras Mayan Red 61% MilkPlain/origin bars
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Nicaliso
Silver: Alessandro Palozzo (Italy) - Peru 70%
Silver: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Honduras 70%
Silver: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Chanchamayo 63%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Chuno 70% - Double Turned
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Chuno 70% Triple Turned
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Johe 70%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 70%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Medagla 70%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo 68%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Rugoso 70%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Rugoso 70% Bad Fermentation
Silver: Michel Cluizel (France) - Organic dark chocolate (66% cocoa minimum) from Mokaya's Plantation in Mexico.
Silver: Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr 75% Costa Rica
Bronze: Chapon (France) - Tablette Bolivie
Bronze: Chocolat Beussent Lachelle (France) - Origine Equateur 78%
Bronze: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Nicaragua Rugoso 70%
Bronze: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Cusco 70%
Bronze: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Venezuela Carenero 70%
Bronze: Deremiens (Belgium) - Colombia - Cordoba 70%
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Indio Rojo 70%
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 60%
Bronze: Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 70% Cacao Blend
Bronze: Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr 75% République Diminicaine
Bronze: Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 75% Ecuador Seversal
Bronze: Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 75% Peru Huallaga Nativo
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold: Legast (Belgium) - Gran Nativo Blanco
Silver: Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Boca Anapate 62%
Silver: Ara Chocolat (France) - Antioquia 70%
Silver: Ara Chocolat (France) - Chuncho 70% - 4 days of fermentation
Silver: Ara Chocolat (France) - Tolita 72%
Silver: ChocoCard (Hungary) - Nica La Dalia 72%
Silver: Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Guatemala - Asochivite
Silver: Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Madagascar - Akesson's Organic
Silver: Chocolatoa (Belgium) - India 70% Kerala GoGround
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Guatemala Sweet River 80%
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Honduras Indio Rojo 72%
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Juno 70%
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Nicaliso 72%
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Venezuela Ocumare 72%
Silver: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 68% dark India
Silver: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 70% dark Madagascar
Silver: Guido Castagna (Italy) - Nicaragua 24 mesi
Silver: Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 72% Chililique
Silver: Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 74% Gran Nativo Blanco
Silver: Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Alto Beni - Bolivia
Silver: Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Lachua - Guatemala
Silver: Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Maya Mountain - Belize
Silver: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Madagascar 66%
Silver: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Tanzania 70%
Silver: Patrick Gelencser Chocolatier (France) - "Accro" 65% Madagascar
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 70% Gran Chililique - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 72% Gran Palo Blanco - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru
Silver: Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Ucayali 72%
Silver: Zoto (Belgium) - El Castillero 70% ( * Chocolatoa)
Bronze: Ara Chocolat (France) - Maceo 70%
Bronze: Ara Chocolat (France) - Tumbaga 72%
Bronze: Bodrato Cioccolato (Italy) - Dark Chocolate Bar Tanzania 78%
Bronze: ChocoCard (Hungary) - Ambanja 69%
Bronze: Chocokoo (Estonia) - Chocokoo Vietnam 80%
Bronze: Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Haïti - PISA
Bronze: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Guatemala Rio Dulce 70%
Bronze: Foodgeek Chocolate (Denmark) - Dark Muscovado 70%
Bronze: Garçoa Chocolate (Switzerland) - Garçoa Chulucanas 75%
Bronze: Kaitxo (Spain) - Palo Blanco 75%
Bronze: Latitude Craft Chocolate (Uganda) - 70% Dark Semuliki Forest
Bronze: Legast (Belgium) - Maleku
Bronze: Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - El Cibao (Öko Caribe) - Dominican Republic
Bronze: Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Tumaco - Kolumbien
Bronze: Meybol Cacao (Germany) - Single Origin Chuncho Peru ( * Pirwa Company S.A.C., Ayacucho, Peru)
Bronze: Nadalina (Croatia) - Venezuela - Porcelana 80%
Bronze: Pangea Chocolate (Spain) - Peru Chililique 71%
Bronze: Patrick Gelencser Chocolatier (France) - "Plaisir" 72% Honduras
Bronze: Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Tanzania 74%
Bronze: Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - Cotabato 75%
Bronze: Zoto (Belgium) - Rugoso 75% ( * Chocolatoa)
High % plain/origin dark chocolate bars (85% and over)
Gold: Coup De Chocolat (Belgium) - Jerome
Silver: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 100% Criollo Cocoa - Organic ( * Damiens Chocolats)
Silver: Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar 100% Cocoa
Silver: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Chanchamayo 100%
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 100%
Silver: Utopick Cacao (Spain) - Nugu 100%
Silver: Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - La Dalia Tenor 100%
Bronze: Ara Chocolat (France) - Tolita 87%
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 85%
Bronze: Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 100% Marañon
Bronze: Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 90% Guatemala Collection
Bronze: Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Darkness 100%
Rough ground/textured plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold: Donna Elvira (Italy) - Zero Dosage Carmelo 1
Silver: Antica Dolceria Bonajuto (Italy) - From Bean to Bar Bonajuto - Gran Nativo Blanco
Silver: Donna Elvira (Italy) - Cioccolato di Modica Fortunato n°4
Bronze: Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Rustic 70%
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars made with alternative natural sugar
Gold: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Trinitario Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Kokoa Kamili Organic Cacao Single Origin Mbingu, Tanzania
Silver: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Curarai Acriollado Amazonico Ecuador Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Origin Archidona, Napo
Silver: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Nacional Blanco Acriollado Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Region Piura, Perú
Silver: Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 70% Peru Collection
Bronze: 20Chocolate (Slovenia) - Cuba 72%
Bronze: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Nacional Ecuador Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Farm “El Pechichal–Gran Cacao” Guayas – Ecuador
Bronze: Cococaravan (United Kingdom) - 70% Lachua
Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold: Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio con Leche No 15
Silver: Rosehill Estate Chocolates (Sweden) - Tobago Estate Chocolate Laura Pralus ( * Pralus)
Bronze: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Equateur Esmeralda Lait 48%
Bronze: Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr. 45% Melissa
Plain/origin 'dark' milk chocolate bars (50% and over)
Gold: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Honduras Mayan Red 61% Milk
Silver: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Brazil - Fazendan Sempre Firme - 55% Dark Milk Chocolate
Silver: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 60% Dark Milk Madagascar
Silver: Hotel Chocolat (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Chuno 76% Supermilk
Bronze: Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Dark Milk 80%, Marañon
Bronze: Cédric De Taeye - Torréfacteur Chocolatier (Belgium) - Intense Milk Brésil (Bahia) - Scavina - 57%
Bronze: Cédric De Taeye - Torréfacteur Chocolatier (Belgium) - Intense Milk Cuba (Baracoa) - Trinitario - 60%
Bronze: ChocoCard (Hungary) - Nica La Dalia Milk 58%
Bronze: Foodgeek Chocolate (Denmark) - Dark Milk Chocolate 55%
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk 50% - Organic
Bronze: Michel Cluizel (France) - Milk chocolate (51% of cocoa minimum) from Riachuelo's Plantation in Brazil.
Bronze: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Dark Milk of Tanzania
Bronze: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of Nicaragua
Bronze: Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 60% Nicaragua, Milk Chocolate
Micro-batch - Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of Madagascar
Silver: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Oh Juno! 45% Milk
Silver: Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Dominikanische Republik 35% Single Origin
Bronze: Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Mexiko 40% Single Origin
Bronze: Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Madagascar 40%
Plain/origin white chocolate bars
Gold: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 43% Single Plantation White Chocolate - Organic ( * Damiens Chocolats)
Silver: Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar White Gold, 45% cocoa
Silver: Lyra (Slovakia) - Trapiche
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - White 40% - Organic
Caramelized plain/origin white chocolate bars
Bronze: Hotel Chocolat (United Kingdom) - Organic Dominican Republic 42% Caramelised White (**)
Flavoured bars
Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Gold: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 71% Marañon with Maraba Coffee - Peru/Rwanda (**)
Silver: ChocoCard (Hungary) - Voatsiperifery 69% (**)
Silver: Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Pfifferlinge (**)
Silver: Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 72% with Charapita Chili (**)
Silver: Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Licorice 65%
Bronze: Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Coconut Cream 55% (**)
Bronze: Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Dark Chocolate Glühwein (**)
Bronze: Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Kardamom (**)
Bronze: Goodio (Finland) - Café Ubuntu
Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & "Wild" Voatsiperifery Pepper - Organic
Silver: Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Oranges & Blossoms 70% (**)
Silver: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & Black Pepper - Organic
Silver: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & Pink Pepper - Organic
Silver: Chocokoo (Estonia) - Dark Chocolate with Rye Bread (**)
Silver: XOCO by Corina (Norway) - Gauk Spring (**)
Bronze: Casa Kakau (Bulgaria) - Casa Kakau Dark & Orange 70% (**)
Bronze: CauCawa (Austria) - 75% Tumaco mit Kakaonibs
Bronze: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 70% Dark with Lingoberry & Reindeer Lichen (**)
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Medagla Dried Soy (**)
Bronze: Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 62% Guatemala Collection Coffee (**)
Dark chocolate bars with a filling
Gold: Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Hand-scooped Chocolate "Gourmet Journey to Peru" Passion Fruit, Lime, Sweet Potato, Maize (**)
Silver: Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - Kissed by the Muse (Kalê & ZART) (**)
Bronze: Millesime Chocolat (Belgium) - 2016 Nicaragua Nougatine Pistaches (**)
'Naked' filled dark chocolate bars (filling only, no coating)
Gold: Guido Castagna (Italy) - Gianduja-Fondente (**)
Silver: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Gianduja Fine Dark Chocolate Single Origin Cacao Arriba Nacional Los Rios & Nocciole Piemonte I.G.P. 72½ (**)
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - Piedmont Gran Palo Gianduja (**)
Milk chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Gold: J.Cocoa (United Kingdom) - Coffee & Cacao - Milk Chocolate - Chuno cacao variety, Nicaragua (**)
Silver: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 50% Milk Blueberry (**)
Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk Sansho Pepper (**)
Silver: Utopick Cacao (Spain) - Gin Tonic (**)
Bronze: Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Smokey Brazil 45%
Bronze: Lyra (Slovakia) - Coffee - Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk Chunky Salty Liquorice (**)
Silver: Kilian & Close (Germany) - Dominican Cocoa Nibs (**)
Silver: Slitti (Italy) - Tavoletta Caffè Latte (**)
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 60% Marañon Coconut Dark Milk with Union's House Blend Coffee and Pink Mountain Salt (**)
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 63% Gran Nativo Rum & Raisin - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (**)
Silver: Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Lakrits (**)
Bronze: Chapon (France) - Tablette Fevory Lait/Noire
Bronze: Feitoria do Cacao (Portugal) - Feitoria do Cacao Chocolate de Leite Colômbia 58% + Café da Colômbia (**)
Bronze: Feitoria do Cacao (Portugal) - Feitoria do Cacao Chocolate de Leite Nicarágua 57% + Nibs (**)
Bronze: Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Kaffee & Kakao-Nibs 55% (**)
Bronze: Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - 52% Dark Milk with Coconut (**)
Bronze: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Caramel + Milk (**)
Milk chocolate bars with a filling
Bronze: Millesime Chocolat (Belgium) - Madagascar 2017 Lacté Praliné (**)
Bronze: Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Hand-scooped Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana (**)
White chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Gold: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Lakkrís + Sea Salt (**)
Silver: Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Himbeere & Rose (**)
Silver: Kaitxo (Spain) - Pistatxo Karamelizado
Silver: Krak (Netherlands) - Krak - Hibiscus/Vanilla 40% (**)
Silver: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Coffee + Milk (**)
Silver: Pralus (France) - Carré de Café Lait Tablette 50gr
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 39% Yirgacheffe Coffee with Redskin Peanut and Madagascan Vanilla (**)
Bronze: Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Mango Maracuja (**)
White chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Black n' Burnt Barley (**)
Silver: Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Joghurt Erdbeer weiße Schokolade
Silver: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - White & Lingonberry (**)
Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 35% Hazelnut Cream - White Gianduja with Piedmont Hazelnuts (**)
Bronze: Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Fine Raw White Veg Cacao Single Farm Ecuador & Mandolat di Toritto 72½
Bronze: Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Weiße Pistazien Schokolade (**)
Bronze: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - Caramelised White & Norwegian Gingerbread (**)
Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - White Nibs - Organic (**)
White chocolate bars with a filling
Silver: Amazing Cacao (Russia) - White Chocolate Cappuccino (**)
National awards
Given to Grand Jury finalists when there are 10 or more entries from one country in a category
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Danish: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Nicaliso
Gold – French: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Honduras 70%
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Belgian: Legast (Belgium) - Gran Nativo Blanco
Gold – British: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Nicaliso 72%
Gold – French: Ara Chocolat (France) - Tolita 72%
Gold – Italian: Guido Castagna (Italy) - Nicaragua 24 mesi
Special awards
Given for entries that qualify for the special category criteria
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - NicalisoGold – Directly Traded: Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Nicaliso
Gold – Organic: Michel Cluizel (France) - Organic dark chocolate (66% cocoa minimum) from Mokaya's Plantation in Mexico.
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Organic: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 70% Gran Chililique - Chulucanas, Piura, PeruHigh % plain/origin dark chocolate bars (85% and over)
Gold – Growing Country: Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar 100% CocoaGold – Organic: Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Chanchamayo 100%
Gold – Directly Traded: Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - La Dalia Tenor 100%
Plain/origin \'dark\' milk chocolate bars (50% and over)
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Honduras Mayan Red 61% MilkGold – Directly Traded: Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Honduras Mayan Red 61% Milk
Gold – Organic: Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 60% Dark Milk Madagascar
Micro-batch - Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of MadagascarGold – Directly Traded: Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of Madagascar
Plain/origin white chocolate bars
Gold – Directly Traded: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 43% Single Plantation White Chocolate - Organic ( * Damiens Chocolats)Gold – Organic: Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 43% Single Plantation White Chocolate - Organic ( * Damiens Chocolats)
Gold – Growing Country: Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar White Gold, 45% cocoa
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Lyra (Slovakia) - Trapiche
(*) Declared chocolate maker for private label bars.
(**) Winner has declared the product is made with their own bean-to-bar chocolate or couverture.
