Why Chocolate Experts Love Ochre Brands (And What Our Awards Really Mean)
A freshly harvested Peruvian cacao bean, revealing its vibrant purple interior, a sign of rich antioxidants and rare heirloom genetics.
📷 Ochre Brands
Excellence You Can Taste and Trust
At Ochre Brands, crafting chocolate is both an art and a responsibility. We obsess over flavour, ethical sourcing, and authenticity, but don’t just take our word for it. Over the past few years, our small-batch bars have earned acclaim from some of the most respected voices in the chocolate world.
In this post, we unpack what it really means to win chocolate awards, why those accolades matter, and how our commitment to excellence is about far more than shiny medals.
What Makes a Chocolate “Award-Winning”?
There’s a world of difference between everyday chocolate and bars that receive formal recognition. Prestigious international competitions like the Academy of Chocolate Awards, the International Chocolate Awards, and the Great Taste Awards evaluate entries on:
Flavour complexity
Texture and mouthfeel
Craftsmanship and innovation
Ethical sourcing and transparency
Judges include pastry chefs, bean-to-bar experts, food journalists, and sensory scientists who blind-taste every entry. So when a bar wins, it’s not just “good”… it’s world-class.
Why Ochre Brands Stands Out
Ochre doesn’t chase trends, we follow values. Here’s what sets us apart from mass-market and boutique brands alike:
1. Single-Origin Cacao from Peru
Our chocolate is made exclusively from ethically sourced Peruvian cacao, known for its floral, fruity, and wine-like notes. We work directly with cooperatives that prioritise biodiversity and pay above-market wages.
2. Minimalist Craftsmanship
We believe less is more: no palm oil, no artificial additives, and no shortcuts. Each bar is:
Stone-ground in micro-batches
Naturally fermented and sun-dried
Free from emulsifiers and over-processing
3. Transparent Impact
From bean to bar, we trace every step. That integrity resonates with both judges and conscious consumers. Our awards aren’t just about flavour, they’re about ethics.
Awards We’ve Earned (and What They Mean)
“Gold, 2021 – International Chocolate Awards – Cuzco 88% ”
“Silver, 2021 – International Chocolate Awards – Piura 76%”
“Silver, 2021 – International Chocolate Awards – Dark Espresso Piura 62%”
Each award validates our commitment to flavour and fairness. When you see those gold, silver, or bronze awards, here’s what they truly represent:
Taste that surprises and lingers
Sourcing that supports farmers and ecosystems
Innovation that celebrates simplicity
What Chocolate Experts Say About Us
“My secret is respect. Respect for cocoa. For those little beans full of magic. Respect for growers and those who respect their rights. Respect for those who works with me every day to create chocolate and respect for the partners who support our job.”
— Guido Castagna – ICA award winner and member of World Pastry Stars“Deep, playfully complex and faithful between nose and palate.”
— Marco Radicioni – Gelateria Otaleg
Taste the Recognition for Yourself
Whether you’re gifting or indulging, our award-winning bars are more than just chocolate, they’re stories of place, process, and purpose.
