CONNECT
Are we friends on social media, yet? Use the buttons below to connect with us!
Peru has six of the genetic varieties of cacao that exist in the world. It’s no wonder Peruvian chocolate has won multiple awards internationally year after year. In fact, one of the world’s rarest and most prized varieties of cacao bean was re-discovered in Peru.
Here are 5 spots that chocolate lovers must experience in Peru.
This delightful shop in Barranco houses more than 40 national chocolate brands and a breadth of knowledge about the small cacao producers behind each bar and their places of origin. This is what makes El Cacaotal so special.
The owner, an authority on all things cacao and chocolate, created an experiential space where visitors will be able to learn and taste samples. With so many varieties, this is an essential part of figuring out your own flavor profile and finding the right chocolate bar for yourself (or to gift loved ones along the way).
As the name suggests, this is the place to go for an interactive history lesson on the cacao tree. The ChocoMuseo has its own artisanal chocolate factory at each location (where they make chocolate bars, chocolate tea, and chocolate desserts) as well as chocolate-making workshops that will put you in the driver seat.
You can find the ChocoMuseo in: Cusco city, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Lima – Miraflores, and Lima – Historic Center.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Exotic Chocolate (@exotic.pe) on
Located off the main plaza in Tarapoto, Exotic is considered the first fine chocolate shop in town (it’s been more than eight years since they opened). It’s definitely one of the must-see places in Peru for chocoholics.
Armed with a recent re-branding that pays tribute to the tropical origins of the product, Exotic aims to shine a light on the fine cacao from the San MartÃn region, and the women working behind the scenes in the business: from cacao growers to the women making the truffles with local ingredients like ajà charapita, maracumango, aguaymanto, camu camu and coconut.
Buenos Aires, Morropón is the origin place of the cacao used by Magia Piura, a brand that helped put this regional cacao on the international map. With its shop in Piura city, the brand has also helped educate locals on the distinctive taste of the white cacao of Morropón.
In 2018, just one year after the brand was created, Magia Piura won gold medals for their 49% lúcuma bar and 79% cacao mucilage bar (a type of honey by-product of the processing of the beans). Those residing in Lima can do personal orders of their the chocolate-base desserts and truffles which use other local ingredients from Piura like mango.
Helena Chocolatier is a longtime artisanal chocolate shop named after its founder, Elena Soler. This is one of the most well-known Peruvian chocolate brands both nationally and internationally.
Helena is famous for its tejas, a rectangular bon bon filled with manjar blanco (a variation of dulce de leche), different types of nuts or fruits, and covered with either chocolate or fondant icing. You can find their wide variety of chocolates in most supermarkets in Peru and in their shops across Lima and Ica, where it all started.
One of the must-see places in Peru for chocoholics is Chaqchao Chocolates in Arequipa. The organic, bean-to-bar company operates a cafe with great views and just as impressive chocolate treats. Why not pair your homemade dessert with coffee or one of the 60 different kinds of craft beer they carry?
Chaqchao also produces organic cocoa butter cosmetics for those dry, sierra nights. If his wasn’t enough, you can also partake in one of their workshops to create a chocolate treat of your own.
Without a doubt, chocoholics are in for an impressive gastronomic experience in Peru. By hitting these must-see places, chocolate lovers will not leave disappointed.
Cover photo: Magia Piura Facebook Page
This article has been updated from the original version published on November 28, 2017.