Bohol — The province's thriving cacao industry has reached a new milestone with the opening of the Dalareich Chocolate Studio in Tagbilaran, a dedicated space for visitors to experience the art and heritage of Filipino chocolate making. Developed as an expansion of the internationally acclaimed Dalareich Chocolate House, the studio offers a deep dive into the journey from bean to bar, showcasing the craftsmanship that put Bohol on the world’s chocolate map. This new attraction is not merely a retail destination but an educational hub designed to connect chocolate lovers with the farmers, traditions, and passion that define the country’s high-quality cacao.
A Hands-On Journey into Heritage
At the core of the studio's offerings is the "Heritage Tableya Making Experience," a sensory-rich activity that allows guests to practice techniques passed down through generations. Participants roast cacao beans over traditional charcoal clay pots, manually crack and winnow them, and grind the nibs using ancestral tools before molding their very own tableya in banana leaves. The experience is capped off with a warm cup of freshly prepared sikwate, providing a literal taste of Filipino history. This focus on tradition, coupled with modern workshops like "Make Your Own Chocolate Bar," ensures that guests of all ages can actively participate in the craft rather than just observing it from behind a glass partition.
Connecting Farmers to Connoisseurs
For Dalareich Polot, the general manager and a visionary in the Philippine cacao scene, the studio serves as a critical platform for storytelling and community empowerment. Having previously earned the Goldman Sachs/Fortune Most Powerful Women Global Award, Polot has long championed the integration of smallholder farmers into the global market. The studio highlights the origin of every bean, educating visitors on how climate, fermentation, and soil quality influence the flavor profile of the final product. By bridging the gap between the rural farms and the tourist experience, the studio reinforces the company’s ongoing mission to provide technical assistance and market access to the local farming communities that make their award-winning products possible.
Elevating Bohol’s Global Reputation
The launch of the studio comes at a time when Bohol is increasingly viewed as a world-class destination for food and cultural tourism, especially following the international recognition the company received when its unsweetened drinking chocolate won gold at the 2019 Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. As the studio welcomes guests, it aims to demystify the complexities of fine chocolate production and inspire a new appreciation for the versatility of Philippine cacao. Whether through professional tasting sessions or casual family visits, the space is poised to become a landmark for those looking to understand why Filipino chocolate is being hailed as some of the best in the world. As Bohol continues to grow its profile, the Dalareich Chocolate Studio stands as a testament to how tradition and innovation can successfully coalesce to elevate local agricultural products.
