The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to announce the Grand Jury Finalists of the 2018 European Bean-to-bar Competition, which was judged in Amsterdam, Netherlands, May 10 – June 11, 2018 at the Hilton Amsterdam.
The judging panel included regular European judges, along with pastry chefs, restaurateurs, journalists and other specialists from the local area and members of our international Grand Jury panel.
The Grand Jury Finalists are the entries that made it through to the final Grand Jury round, following an initial technical Selection round and two days of Main round judging. The Finalists are the nominations from which the Grand Jury select the prize winners, through private voting. The Grand Jury follow strict rules, which you can read here (PDF).
While listing as a Grand Jury Finalist is an achievement in itself, it does not necessarily indicate that the entry will receive a prize.
View details of our sponsors and partners here.
The 2018 European Bar Grand Jury Finalists are:
(In alphabetical order within each category)
Plain/origin bars
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - 72% Single Dark Chocolate: TanzaniaIdilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, Porcelana Criollo Puro No 1
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, Seleccion Cata Ocumare, No 3
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, Caranero Urrutia Superior, No 4
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, Chuao, No 14
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, Trinchera, No 16
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio, 1er Cru Barlovento
Chapon (France) - tablette Perou gran nativo
Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 70% Marañon
Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 70% Ecuador
Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 70% Cacao Blend
Chocolat Beussent Lachelle (France) - Origine Equateur 78%
Alessandro Palozzo (Italy) - Madagascar 70%
Alessandro Palozzo (Italy) - Peru 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Nicaragua Rugoso 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Chanchamayo 63%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou José 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Venezuela Carenero 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Cusco 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Honduras 70%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Venezuela Puerto Cabello 70%
Pralus (France) - TABLETTE COFFRET 50GR CHUAO
Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr 75% Costa Rica
Pralus (France) - TABLETTE 100GR 75% NICARAGUA
Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr 75% République Diminicaine
Pralus (France) - TABLETTE 100GR 75% VENEZUELA
Deremiens (Belgium) - Colombia - Cordoba 70%
Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 75% 2016 Vintage, Dry Aged
Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 75% Ecuador Seversal
Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 75% Peru Huallaga Nativo
Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 72% Peru Chuncho
Michel Cluizel (France) - Dark chocolate (69% of cocoa minimum) from El Jardin's Plantation in Colombia
Michel Cluizel (France) - Organic dark chocolate (66% cocoa minimum) from Mokaya's Plantation in Mexico.
TOLITA (Germany) - TOLITA PURE
Utopick Cacao (Spain) - Chivité 70
Chapon (France) - Tablette Bolivie
Chapon (France) - TABLETTE EQUATEUR
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Indio Rojo 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Chuno 70% - Double Turned
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Nicaliso
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Rugoso 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Chuno 70% Triple Turned
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Johe 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Barba 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Medagla 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 70%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 60%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo 68%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Rugoso 70% Bad Fermentation
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - 65% Single Origin Chocolate: India (Coconut Fermentation Batch)Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Madagascar 66%
Nectar du Nouveau Monde (France) - Nectar du Nouveau Monde, TUMBES
Zoto (Belgium) - El Castillero 70%
Zoto (Belgium) - Rugoso 75%
Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Guatemala - Asochivite
Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Dominican Republic - öko Caribe
Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Madagascar - Akesson's Organic
Chocolat Encuentro (France) - 70% Haïti - PISA
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Tanzania 70%
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Nicaragua 73%
Nadalina (Croatia) - Venezuela - Porcelana 80%
Legast (Belgium) - Gran Nativo Blanco
Legast (Belgium) - Maleku
Legast (Belgium) - Santander
Garçoa Chocolate (Switzerland) - Garçoa Chulucanas 75%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Honduras Indio Rojo 72%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Guatemala Rio Dulce 70%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Juno 70%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Nicaliso 72%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Venezuela Ocumare 72%
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Guatemala Sweet River 80%
Nadalina (Croatia) - ECUADOR 69%
Karuna Chocolate (Italy) - Pilopaso estate from the Solomon Islands 70%
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 70% dark Madagascar
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Tanzania 74%
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Ucayali 72%
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Öko-Caribe 70%
Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Boca Anapate 62%
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 70% Gran Chililique - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 72% Gran Palo Blanco - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 68% dark India
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 74% Gran Nativo Blanco
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 72% Chililique
Guido Castagna (Italy) - Nicaragua 24 mesi
Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Lachua - Guatemala
Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - El Cibao (Öko Caribe) - Dominican Republic
Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Alto Beni - Bolivia
Kaitxo (Spain) - Palo Blanco 75%
Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Maya Mountain - Belize
Bodrato Cioccolato (Italy) - Dark Chocolate Bar Tanzania 78%
Bodrato Cioccolato (Italy) - dark chocolate bar Colombia 80%
Pangea Chocolate (Spain) - Peru Chililique 71%
Patrick Gelencser Chocolatier (France) - "Plaisir" 72% Honduras
Martin Mayer Schokoladen (Austria) - Tumaco - Kolumbien
Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Dominikanische Republik 70% Single Origin
Patrick Gelencser Chocolatier (France) - "Zen" 70% Vietnam
Foodgeek Chocolate (Denmark) - Dark Muscovado 70%
Chocokoo (Estonia) - Chocokoo Costa Rica 70%
Chocokoo (Estonia) - Chocokoo Vietnam 80%
Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Madagascar | Bertil Åkesson 70%
Patrick Gelencser Chocolatier (France) - "Accro" 65% Madagascar
Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - Cotabato 75%
Krak (Netherlands) - Krak - Madagascar, Ferme D'ottange 70%
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Nica La Dalia 72%
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Ambanja 69%
Ara Chocolat (France) - Tolita 72%
Ara Chocolat (France) - Maceo 70%
Ara Chocolat (France) - Antioquia 70%
Ara Chocolat (France) - Chuncho 70% - 4 days of fermentation
Ara Chocolat (France) - Tumbaga 72%
Meybol Cacao (Germany) - Single Origin Chuncho Peru
Latitude Craft Chocolate (Uganda) - 70% Dark Semuliki Forest
Chocolatoa (Belgium) - India 70% Kerala GoGround
High % plain/origin dark chocolate bars (85% and over)
Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 90% Guatemala CollectionÅkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 100% Criollo Cocoa - Organic
Holy Cacao Chocolate (Israel) - 100% Marañon
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Pérou Chanchamayo 100%
Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar 100% Cocoa
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Darkness 100%
Coup De Chocolat (Belgium) - Jerome
Utopick Cacao (Spain) - Nugu 100%
Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - La Dalia Tenor 100%
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Nica La Dalia 100%
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Ambanja 99%
Ara Chocolat (France) - Tolita 87%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 85%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 100%
Rough ground/textured plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto (Italy) - From Bean to Bar Bonajuto - Gran Nativo BlancoAjala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Rustic 70%
Donna Elvira (Italy) - Zero Dosage Wild Soconusco
Donna Elvira (Italy) - Zero Dosage Carmelo 1
Donna Elvira (Italy) - Cioccolato di Modica Fortunato n°4
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars made with alternative natural sugar
Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Nacional Ecuador Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Farm “El Pechichal–Gran Cacao” Guayas – EcuadorAruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Curarai Acriollado Amazonico Ecuador Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Origin Archidona, Napo
Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Nacional Blanco Acriollado Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Single Region Piura, Perú
Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Trinitario Fine Raw Chocolate 72½ Kokoa Kamili Organic Cacao Single Origin Mbingu, Tanzania
20Chocolate (Slovenia) - Cuba 72%
20Chocolate (Slovenia) - NICARAGUA 72%
Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 70% Peru Collection
Cococaravan (United Kingdom) - 70% Lachua
Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Idilio Origins (Switzerland) - Idilio con Leche No 15Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Equateur Esmeralda Lait 48%
Chocolaterie Morin (France) - Vietnam Thanh Long Lait 48%
Pralus (France) - Tablette 100gr. 45% Melissa
Rosehill Estate Chocolates (Sweden) - Tobago Estate Chocolate Laura Pralus
Plain/origin 'dark' milk chocolate bars (50% and over)
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of NicaraguaOmnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Dark Milk of Tanzania
Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Brazil - Fazendan Sempre Firme - 55% Dark Milk Chocolate
Hotel Chocolat (United Kingdom) - Nicaragua Chuno 76% Supermilk
Duffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Honduras Mayan Red 61% Milk
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 60% Dark Milk Madagascar
Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar Milk 65% Cocoa
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Dark milk 55%
Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Dark Milk 80%, Marañon
Zotter Schokolade (Austria) - Labooko 60% Nicaragua, Milk Chocolate
Michel Cluizel (France) - Milk chocolate (51% of cocoa minimum) from Riachuelo's Plantation in Brazil.
Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Ecuador 50% Single Plantation
Foodgeek Chocolate (Denmark) - Dark Milk Chocolate 55%
Goodio (Finland) - ChocOat Original Blond
Cédric De Taeye - Torréfacteur Chocolatier (Belgium) - Intense Milk Brésil (Bahia) - Scavina - 57%
Cédric De Taeye - Torréfacteur Chocolatier (Belgium) - Intense Milk Cuba (Baracoa) - Trinitario - 60%
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Nica La Dalia Milk 58%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Dark Milk 65%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk 50% - Organic
Micro-batch - Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Milk of MadagascarDuffy's (United Kingdom) - Duffy's Oh Juno! 45% Milk
Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Madagascar 40%
Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Mexiko 40% Single Origin
Kevin Kugel Chocolatier (Germany) - Dominikanische Republik 35% Single Origin
Plain/origin white chocolate bars
Lyra (Slovakia) - TrapicheÅkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 43% Single Plantation White Chocolate - Organic
Chocolat Madagascar (Madagascar) - Chocolat Madagascar White Gold, 45% cocoa
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - White 40% - Organic
Caramelized plain/origin white chocolate bars
Hotel Chocolat (United Kingdom) - Organic Dominican Republic 42% Caramelised WhiteFlavoured bars
Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 75% Guatemala Collection ChiliGeorgia Ramon (Germany) - Pfifferlinge
Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Kardamom
Schokoladerie de Prie (Germany) - 70% Panama/Kaffee
Schokoladerie de Prie (Germany) - 70% mit Schwarzen Johannisbeeren
Amazing Cacao (Russia) - Dark Chocolate Glühwein
Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Licorice 65%
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 71% Marañon with Maraba Coffee - Peru/Rwanda
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Peru 72% with Charapita Chili
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Dark Raspberry 70%
H. H. Biehler (Germany) - Kolumbien 64% Kaffeeschokolade
Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Coconut Cream 55%
Goodio (Finland) - Café Ubuntu
ChocoCard (Hungary) - Voatsiperifery 69%
Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - 62% Dark Chocolate: HalwaKakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 55% Peru Collection Coconut
Kakau Worship (Greece) - Kakau Worship 62% Guatemala Collection Coffee
CauCawa (Austria) - 75% Tumaco mit Kakaonibs
Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Rosa Beere & Orange 75 %
Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & Black Pepper - Organic
Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & "Wild" Voatsiperifery Pepper - Organic
Åkesson's (United Kingdom) - Madagascar - Bejofo Estate - 75% Trinitario Cocoa & Pink Pepper - Organic
Casa Kakau (Bulgaria) - Casa Kakau Dark & Orange 70%
XOCO by Corina (Norway) - Gauk Spring
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 70% Dark with Lingoberry & Reindeer Lichen
Taucherli (Switzerland) - Taucherli Beantobar Colombia 77% Nibs
TOLITA (Germany) - TOLITA GOLDENBERRY
TOLITA (Germany) - TOLITA COFFEE
Ajala Chocolate (Czech Republic) - Oranges & Blossoms 70%
Chocokoo (Estonia) - Dark Chocolate with Rye Bread
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - La Dalia 60% Nibs
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - Medagla Dried Soy
Dark chocolate bars with a filling
Millesime Chocolat (Belgium) - 2016 Nicaragua Nougatine PistachesZotter Schokolade (Austria) - Hand-scooped Chocolate "Gourmet Journey to Peru" Passion Fruit, Lime, Sweet Potato, Maize
Zart Pralinen Chocolate Makers (Austria) - Kissed by the Muse (Kalê & ZART)
'Naked' filled dark chocolate bars (filling only, no coating)
Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Gianduja Fine Dark Chocolate Single Origin Cacao Arriba Nacional Los Rios & Nocciole Piemonte I.G.P. 72½Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - Piedmont Gran Palo Gianduja
Guido Castagna (Italy) - Gianduja-Fondente
Milk chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Lyra (Slovakia) - Coffee - Milk ChocolateFjåk Chocolate (Norway) - 50% Milk Blueberry
Cenu Cacao (United Kingdom) - Artisan Mocha Chocolate
Lilla Chokladfabriken Borgå (Finland) - Smokey Brazil 45%
J.Cocoa (United Kingdom) - Coffee & Cacao - Milk Chocolate - Chuno cacao variety, Nicaragua
Utopick Cacao (Spain) - Gin Tonic
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk Sansho Pepper
Milk chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - 52% Dark Milk with CoconutOmnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Sea Salted Almonds + Milk
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Caramel + Milk
Slitti (Italy) - Tavoletta Caffè Latte
Feitoria do Cacao (Portugal) - Feitoria do Cacao Chocolate de Leite Nicarágua 57% + Nibs
Feitoria do Cacao (Portugal) - Feitoria do Cacao Chocolate de Leite Colômbia 58% + Café da Colômbia
Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Mandel & Salz Milchschokolade
Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Kaffee & Kakao-Nibs 55%
Chapon (France) - Tablette Fevory Lait/Noire
Svenska Kakaobolaget (Sweden) - Lakrits
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 63% Gran Nativo Rum & Raisin - Chulucanas, Piura, Peru
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 60% Marañon Coconut Dark Milk with Union's House Blend Coffee and Pink Mountain Salt
Kilian & Close (Germany) - Dominican Cocoa Nibs
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk Nuts
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - O'Payo Milk Chunky Salty Liquorice
Milk chocolate bars with a filling
Millesime Chocolat (Belgium) - Madagascar 2017 Lacté PralinéZotter Schokolade (Austria) - Hand-scooped Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana
White chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Lakkrís + Sea SaltOmnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Coffee + Milk
Kaitxo (Spain) - Pistatxo Karamelizado
Georgia Ramon (Germany) - Himbeere & Rose
Pralus (France) - Carré de Café Lait Tablette 50gr
Mirzam (United Arab Emirates) - White Chocolate Aseeda
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 39% Yirgacheffe Coffee with Redskin Peanut and Madagascan Vanilla
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Mango Maracuja
Krak (Netherlands) - Krak - Hibiscus/Vanilla 40%
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - White Yuzu
White chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Aruntam - Sensory Chocolate (Italy) - Fine Raw White Veg Cacao Single Farm Ecuador & Mandolat di Toritto 72½Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Joghurt Erdbeer weiße Schokolade
Edelmond (Germany) - Edelmond Weiße Pistazien Schokolade
Omnom Chocolate (Iceland) - Black n' Burnt Barley
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - White & Lingonberry
Fjåk Chocolate (Norway) - Caramelised White & Norwegian Gingerbread
Amazing Cacao (Russia) - White chocolate with green tea Teguanyin and cacao nibs
Solkiki Chocolatemaker (United Kingdom) - 35% Hazelnut Cream - White Gianduja with Piedmont Hazelnuts
Harrer Chocolat (Hungary) - Venezuela white chocolate with nibs
OCTOchocolate (United Kingdom) - Artisan White Bar with Pistachios and Salt
Friis-Holm Chokolade (Denmark) - White Nibs - Organic
