If you love the rich, deep, and bitter notes of dark chocolate, then you’re in luck. Did you know that eating dark chocolate is actually good for you? (Sorry, milk chocolates not included!) Yes! Dark chocolates are, in fact, healthy, and could bring benefits to the body. An article on Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explained why: Dark chocolate contains cocoa, which is rich in flavanols. Flavanols could help protect the heart, improve blood flow, and even reduce the risk of diabetes. It’s said to also help reduce stress and benefit the immune system!
But enough of the science. Bottomline is, dark chocolate is soo freaking good (for the tastebuds and your health) and fortunately, there are so many delicious dark chocolate treats available in Metro Manila to satisfy your cravings. Here are some you definitely need to try!
Theo & Philo
We’re gonna start this list with a bang. Proudly Filipino, Theo & Philo honors high-quality Davao chocolate in its products. The Theo in its brand name is short for Theobroma Cacao, the scientific name of the cacao tree which, as you know, is where chocolates come from. Try Theo & Philo’s Dark Hot Chocolate, THEO Cake, and Dark Chocolate Covered Cashew and Honey
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Instagram: @TheoandPhilo
Alt Scoops
I see your chocolate ice cream, and I raise you this decadent 77% dark chocolate ice cream from Alt Scoops. We talked about how dark chocolate is good for you, right? Well, Alt Scoops is known for its dairy-free, oat milk-based ice creams. So when we say this Dark Chocolate ice cream is absolutely guilt-free, you better believe it.
Instagram: @Alt.Scoops
The Daily Knead
The Daily Knead boasts of “bread and sweets made the traditional way.” Plus the brand only uses quality ingredients; no extenders or preservatives. Try the Chocolate Brioche Babka that’s made with homemade dark chocolate ganache and *generous* amounts of Belgian dark chocolate chips; and the Black Forest cake that’s filled with dark chocolate ganache and topped with chantilly cream and dark chocolate shavings. YUM.
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Instagram: @thedailyknead_
Pastries by Bela
We love a good cream puff over here, and love discovering new places and shops to get them from. This reader-recommended shop, Pastries by Bela, makes a pretty mean Dark Chocolate cream puff, we heard. This mini choux is filled with vanilla pastry cream and comes in a box of nine.
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Instagram: @pastriesbybela
Mo’ Cookies
The Moment Group’s cookie brand, Mo’ Cookies, is known—and loved—for its tasty bigger-than-your-palm cookies. And what’s better than a bigger-than-your-palm cookie? A bigger-than-your-palm dark chocolate cookie, of course! Try its “crisp, chewy, and ooey-gooey” Chocolate Fudge cookie that’s made with 60% South Cotabato dark chocolate.
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Instagram: @mocookiesforyou
Frank & Carol’s
QC-based mom and pop bake shop Frank and Carol’s has been in business for 12 years. And if there’s one thing they know how to do, it’s to make a damn good cake. Its over 100,000 fans on social media will attest to that. One of the most beloved cakes on Frank & Carol’s menu is the Belgian Dark Chocolate Cake, made with deep, luscious Belgian chocolate ganache. You can order online or visit its cafe at Chimes Square, Pasong Tamo, Quezon City.
Facebook: @frankandcarols
Truffles by K
This list just wouldn’t be complete without chocolate truffles. Truffles by K offers just that—homemade chocolate truffles made with high-quality ingredients. The Dark Chocolate Truffles is to-die-for, with a rich taste and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Facebook: @trufflesbyk
Malagos Chocolate
It started out with a family investing in farmland. Now, five decades later, Malagos Chocolate has grown into an award-winning, premium chocolate brand that is proudly Filipino. Its cacao is sourced from Davao, Philippines’ chocolate capital. What to try? Well, basically everything they offer! But if you want the best of the best, you can start with the internationally-acclaimed Malagos 100% pure Premium Unsweetened Chocolate.
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Instagram: @malagoschocolate
Auro Chocolate
Another award-winning local premium chocolate brand, Auro Chocolate is a favorite among chocolate lovers in the Philippines. Its dark chocolate products are available in different varieties, from bars and drinks to baking treats, but if you’re up for trying something more exciting, check out this Auro Chocolate x Don Papa collaboration. This 70% percent dark chocolate bar is infused with 60 grams of Don Papa rum for that extra kick.
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Instagram: @aurochocolate
What’s your favorite dark chocolate treat? Tell us in the comments so we can check them out!
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