Philippine cacao now found in Belgian chocolate

ENDERUN got a sweet treat on Sept. 25 with the launch of Belcolade Origins Noir Philippines 68% Cacao-Trace.

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The beans are from Mindanao (specifically from Calinan, San Isidro, and Mati) but the beans are processed Belgian-style, ensuring the union of two disciplines in one bag. This is one of the first Belgian chocolates in the world to feature Philippine-grown cacao beans.

For the launch, the Belgian brand (from Belgian baking raw materials company Puratos) got chocolatier Christian Valdes of CMV Txokolat (related story: https://tinyurl.com/y86rsew7) to make truffles onstage. Mr. Valdes also concocted samplers — not his usual fare of pralines and bonbons, but savories and desserts, all using the 68% Belcolade Origins Noir Philippines 68% Cacao-Trace.

For the bites, Mr. Valdes made a Chocolate Beef Pares Tart (a beef stew with star anise), taking advantage of some of the spicier notes of the chocolate. This was followed by an Olive Tapenade layered with a dark chocolate ganache, then a Chocolate Tapa Taco (our favorite; reminiscent of Mexican mole sauce).