Baianí Chocolates, the São Paulo-based chocolate maker, has once again made history by securing a silver medal at the prestigious International Chocolate Awards, also known as the “Oscar of the chocolate industry.” The company is the only Brazilian brand to be awarded at this global event, which took place simultaneously on November 9 in New York, Milan, and Bangkok.
The winning product, which earned the silver medal in the ‘White Chocolate Bars with Infusion or Flavoring’ category, is ‘Chocolate Branco com Especiarias Brasileiras’ (White Chocolate with Brazilian Spices). The bar was created in 2022 by Juliana Aquino, the chocolate maker and co-owner of Baianí, who was inspired by a conversation with renowned chef Rodrigo Oliveira of the Balaio and Mocotó restaurants.
Juliana explains that chef Rodrigo introduced her to amburana, a spice she had never encountered before, along with cumaru and puxuri, all native Amazonian spices. After reflecting on how to use these unique flavors, Juliana was inspired by bechamel, a classic French sauce, and decided to combine them in her chocolate recipe.
In addition to these exotic spices, the white chocolate bar also contains cocoa butter, whole milk powder, and organic crystal sugar, with the cocoa butter sourced directly from the family’s farm in Arataca, Bahia, adding an extra layer of pride to the creation.
Sold at R$ 32 for a 58-gram bar, the chocolate has captivated not only Brazilian chocolate lovers but also international markets in the U.S. and Europe. Juliana shares that the award-winning batch is often the first to sell out when it reaches international destinations.
“We don’t use deodorized cocoa butter like most chocolatiers. We make our own cocoa butter on our farm, and it retains all the natural aromas. It has a delightful, authentic aroma,” she says proudly.
Juliana also highlights the hard work and dedication of her team, especially the women in the factory, who play a vital role in the production process. “I may have developed the recipe, but it’s the girls in the factory who bring the chocolate to life. They give everything they’ve got, and they are incredibly meticulous and dedicated to ensuring the highest quality product,” she concludes.
Awarded Chocolates in the Same Category:
- Gold: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – White Strawberry (Special: Local Ingredients)
- Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – White Raspberry
- Silver: Solkiki Chocolatemaker (UK) – Chuncho White (Special: Alternative Vegan Milk)
- Silver: Jacobean Artisan Chocolate (Canada) – Partridge Berry
- Silver: Baianí Chocolates (Brazil) – White Chocolate with Brazilian Spices (Special: Bioma)
- Silver: Cores Chocolate (Dominican Republic) – Caramello Chocolate
- Silver: COFE (Taiwan) – Black Tea Honyun and Strawberry
- Bronze: JACOBEAN Craft Chocolate (Canada) – Strawberry Delight
- Bronze: Fruition Chocolate Works (USA) – Toasted White Chocolate
