Authentically produced in Singapore, these local chocolatiers and brands offer delectable and gift-worthy treats for all occasions.
Chocolate of good quality shouldn’t be cheap. The price of artisanal chocolate might seem like a small investment. However, what about when we consider the procedure, flavour, and refinement that goes into making a bar of wonderful chocolate? It’s well worth it. Whether you’re looking for guilt-free chocolates, halal-friendly chocolates, or chocolate delicacies that are as beautiful as they are delicious, Singapore has a number of local chocolate businesses to choose from.
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Whimsical – Sourbombe x Pure Imagination
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Chef Janice Wong’s Pure Imagination is a small batch tree to bar chocolate concept with cocoa beans imported from the Philippines, Ecuador, Thailand, Colombia, and Peru. Chef Janice Wong, the “Queen of Dessert”, has learnt her craft with some of the world’s top chefs, including Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz and French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, to name a few. Pure Imagination is doing more than just celebrating cocoa; it’s also setting the groundwork for a bigger goal: creating the first Singapore-grown chocolate. The mission is to plant over 1,000 cocoa trees at Great World, Gardens by the Bay, and Spectra Secondary School.
Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery is the first artisanal sourdough Bomboloni in Singapore, a creative mix of sourdough and Italian ‘Bomb’ shaped doughnuts. Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery, which debuted on the culinary scene in 2018, is the brainchild of Genevieve Lee, the runner-up of MasterChef Singapore 2018. The range of products combines her love for sourdough with inspiration from Italian Bomboloni.
The two brands love exploring whimsical flavours, which make this Chocolate Bundle pairing a bona fide match made in heaven. This Valentine’s Bundle comes in two exclusive chocolate bars and two Valentine’s Bombes:
𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸 (50% Chocolate) – Aromatic lavender and fresh lime come together with velvety milk chocolate for an aromatic melt-in-your-mouth wonder, ending off with a bright citrus zing.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗸𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻 (70% Dark Chocolate) – Sourdough loaves are processed into dehydrated crumbs, then folded into bean to bar chocolates. This unexpected combination of cacao richness and subtle fermented tang creates deep satisfaction unlike any other.
How to order
Available for pre-order here or visit Sourbombe’s outlet located at 9 Penang Road. 70% Shokupan Bean to Bar Chocolate is available at both Sourbombe Artisinal Bakery at 9 Penang Road and Janice Wong Pure Imagination at Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade.
Sustainability – Fossa Chocolate
At Fossa Chocolate, sustainability is a priority. Jay Chua gets his cocoa beans from farmers that practise agroforestry, which involves growing cacao trees alongside other native plants and food crops to allow wildlife to live in their natural habitat. In the small neighbourhood of Mandai in Singapore, he and his team continue to roast, crack, and winnow cacao beans before refining them into chocolates. Each little batch of chocolate is lovingly made by hand and is additive-free. Cacao husk, or the outer shells of the cacao beans, is separated from the nibs during the chocolate production process and is normally considered a waste product. Partnering with local urban farming group, Edible Garden City, allowed upcycling of these nutrients rich husks into compost for their agriculture.
Read more about the farmers that Fossa Chocolate work with here.
Have a go at their award-winning Honey Orchid Dancong Hongcha Tea Chocolate, in collaboration with rare tea curator – Pekoe & Imp. Our favourite? Yuzu Sea Salt, a balanced profile of creamy biscuity chocolate with a refreshing citrusy aroma
How to order
For giftings, we suggest Spread the Love kit here, which comes with a box of Aromatic Flower Soap by BloomBack or Pamper Her kit (or yourself!) to appreciate someone you love. Fossa Chocolate does customisations too. Follow their Instagram here.
Sugar-free – Chocoelf
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Is it possible to make chocolate without sugar? Given that one of the two founders is a doctor, this isn’t an insurmountable task for Chocoelf. This is one of the greatest locally made chocolates in Singapore if you want a natural flavour treat without necessarily lowering your sugar intake. Chocoelf takes pride in offering guilt-free treats created with no added sugar, recognising health-conscious confections that taste pure and delightful.
Sugar-free fresh chocolate truffles infused with Asian flavours or sugar-free chocolate bars infused with Asian flavour profiles such as mango, kaya, and durian are available. If you want additional texture and interest in your chocolate, go for the sugar-free chocolate-coated almonds, which provide a double dose of healthy fats.
How to order?
Chocoelf’s range of chocolate is available at selected retail stores here or order online here
Oldies but Goodies – Awfully Chocolate
It all began with a dream: to create a fantastic chocolate cake. Lyn Lee, a lawyer, decided to leave her job to create her own cake shop after trying to find the perfect chocolate cake. In 1998, it opened its first store in Katong. Awfully Chocolate has obviously established itself as a global brand with 14 stores across the island and franchises in China, including Shanghai and Beijing.
Their gift packages and artisinal truffles are always a hit. Awfully Chocolate has produced a new Valentine’s Griotte Cherry Truffle with Kirsch this year, crafted from Morello cherries marinated in Kirsch and liqueur, and combined perfectly with their 60 per cent dark chocolate ganache. Their new Gorgeous Truffles boxes have a gorgeous quilted leatherette casing, chocolate-brown grosgrain ribbons, and a gold heart locket gift tag for your own sentiments this season.
How to order
Order their Valentine’s range here or shop for their products here. Follow them on Instagram here. To visit one of their stores, locate their stores here.
Halal Certified – Chocolate Origin
Chocolate Origin began in a small outlet in Changi Village approximately ten years ago with humble beginnings. With a limited budget and little brand presence, they persevered and gradually won over their clients. Their Chocolate Bar Kit is sure to gratify any Valentine, with 6 delicious flavours to select from! Your loved ones will like the Rose Dark Chocolate Bar, or kick things up a notch with the Chili Dark Chocolate Bar. For their rich and strong chocolatey flavour, the chocolate truffles are highly recommended. Chocolate Origin is Halal-certified, making it the only halal chocolate producer in Singapore
How to order
Locate one of Chocolate Origin stores here or order online here. Follow their Instagram here.
Artisanal – Lemuel Chocolate
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Ronald Ng and Hideki Sakanishi established Lemuel Chocolate after being intrigued by a visit to Dandelion Chocolate & Green Bean to Bar in Toyko in 2017. Both founders have a lifelong obsession with chocolate. For Ronald, his passion for chocolate since young and even fuelled Ronald to work part-time at a chocolate factory during his secondary school days. Organic cane sugar makes up about 30% of each Lemuel single origin bar, which helps to bring out the chocolate’s flavour. The rest of the bar consists of raw chocolate with no added ingredients, nuts, fruit, or milk products.
Besides its award-winning single-origin bars, Lemuel is also known for their bonbons, pastries and carefully curated gift boxes. We are also swept away by the range of products Lemuel Chocolate offers in getting our community to appreciate chocolate. They have Craft Chocolate Appreciation and Tasting Workshop, Factory tour within their facility to D.I.Y. Chocolate Bar, making your desired toppings!
How to order
This Valentine’s Day, Lemuel Chocolate created a range of Valentine’s Day gift sets here. A Romantic Adventure Pastry Box highlights the versatility of chocolate and single-origin chocolates. Cocoa For You Gift Set features their bonbons with flavours of Passionfruit Caramel Ganache and Strawberry Marshmallow & Pistachio Praline. Shop online for their signature single-origin bars here. Available until till end of February.
