There are moments that remind us why we do what we do. For Blue Valley Chocolate, one of those moments came when our Maleku chocolate won Gold at the International Chocolate Awards. This recognition is proof that centuries of tradition, respect for the land, and artisanal craft can shine on the world stage.
Here’s why Maleku chocolate captured the judges’ hearts (and taste buds), and what this award means to us, to Costa Rica, and to everyone who believes in the spirit of cacao.
What Are the International Chocolate Awards?
The International Chocolate Awards are one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of fine chocolate. Each year, expert judges evaluate entries from around the globe, recognizing excellence in craft chocolate. Winning gold means standing out among the very best.
For us, it’s about quality and sharing Costa Rica’s cacao heritage with the world.
What Makes Maleku Chocolate Unique
1. Roots in Indigenous Tradition
Our Maleku bar honors the Maleku people of northern Costa Rica, who have cultivated and celebrated cacao for generations. For them, cacao is sacred medicine, a bridge between people, earth, and spirit. Every bar we make is a tribute to their knowledge and resilience.
2. Rainforest-Grown Cacao
The beans for Maleku chocolate are shade-grown in biodiverse cacao forests. This environment creates rich, complex flavors. Notes of tropical fruit, earth, and spice that can only come from a living rainforest ecosystem.
3. Minimal, Honest Craft
Maleku chocolate is made with simple, pure ingredients: high-percentage cacao and just enough natural sweetness to balance. Nothing artificial. Nothing unnecessary. Just the true voice of the bean, allowed to speak.
4. Flavor That Stands Out
Judges described Maleku chocolate as bold yet balanced, with bright fruit notes layered over deep, earthy richness. The finish is long, elegant, and unforgettable. This is the taste of Costa Rica, distilled into one bar.
Why This Award Matters
Winning gold is about impact:
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For Costa Rica: It puts our country on the map as a producer of world-class fine chocolate, not just coffee.
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For the Maleku: It validates centuries of knowledge and elevates Indigenous traditions in the global spotlight.
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For Chocolate Lovers: It shows that ethical, small-batch chocolate can compete with (and surpass) the biggest names in the industry.
From Guanacaste to the World
While our farm and tours are based in Guanacaste, this award proves that local roots can have global reach. Guests who visit Blue Valley Chocolate get to experience the process firsthand. Walking among cacao trees, tasting fresh beans, and sampling the very chocolate that now carries a gold medal.
And thanks to our international shipping, chocolate lovers everywhere can taste the award-winning Maleku bar for themselves, no matter where they live.
What’s Next for Maleku Chocolate
For us, this is just the beginning. Winning gold encourages us to keep preserving Indigenous traditions, cultivating cacao sustainably, and creating chocolate that honors both heritage and innovation.
Most importantly, it inspires us to share Maleku chocolate with more people, inviting them into a story that began centuries ago and continues with every bar.
Maleku chocolate winning gold is a recognition of the land, the people, and the spirit behind every bean. It proves that chocolate is not just food, but culture, history, and connection.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we’re proud to carry this tradition forward and prouder still to share it with the world. Taste it, and you’ll understand why Maleku just took home gold.
