What makes Davao chocolates so delicious?

Many of us have heard the sweet news that the Department of Agriculture recently named Davao City the Cacao Capital of the Philippines.

Apart from the fact that the region produces high-quality cacao beans, did you know it's also home to delicious Pinoy-made chocolate?

GMA-7's "Unang Hirit" spoke to chocolateer Rex Puentespina of Malagos Chocolate, who walked viewers through the long, arduous process that involves planting, harvesting, pod-breaking, fermentation, drying, sorting, roasting and grinding. Phew!

Puentespina also emphasized that the chocolate from the Southern province is good because the cacao beans are grown in Davao's rich agricultural lands.

"Yung environment, 'yung lupa, rainfall, sunlight doon sa Davao, even 'yung distribution ng rainfall at saka 'yung lupa talaga, mataba and very conducive to planting fruit trees ad other agricultural crops," he explained.

 

 

 

 

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Mar 17, 2020 at 8:15pm PDT

No wonder chocolates from Davao have been making a name around the world! Malagos Chocolate has consistently been winning international awards — first lady Honeylet Avanceña even gave them away to the ASEAN spouses during the ASEAN meet in 2017 — while Auro Chocolate in 2019 was named among the Top 20 cacao beans in the world. 

Chocolates have become a staple in Davao that there's even a chocolate spa down there. Amazing, right?  — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News