Did you know Thailand’s quietly become a legit chocolate player? Farmers in places like Chiang Mai, Chumphon, and Prachuap Khiri Khan grow some seriously flavorful Trinitario and hybrid cacao, and in the last decade a wave of small bean-to-bar makers popped up (Kad Kokoa, Paradai, Siamaya, Barada, etc.). They’re turning out single-estate dark bars, spicy inclusions like makwaen pepper or lemongrass, and even fresh cacao juice drinks. All tree-to-bar inside the country, often organic and direct-trade. Pretty wild for a place you’d never expect.

 

Barada Chocolate is Phuket-based handcrafting quality bars from Thai cacao in Chiang Mai and Loei. Blends Old Damascus vibes with local twists like tropical fruits and spices (think velvety dark with roasted almonds). Vegan options too, and they just snagged Best Sustainable Luxury Chocolate Brand in Asia Pacific for 2025

 

You can Buy it on our marketplace....

 

 

Unsweetened Cacao is actually healthier for your heart than red wine. The problem is every restaurant adds a big scoop of sugar and whipped cream to it. Buy it unsweetened in a tin and enjoy it without the candy flavoring and it's a nice addition to coffee or as a stand alone drink.

 

For those unfamiliar Cacao and cocoa come from the same plant but cacao is the healthier option. It has a more bitter taste but I've learned to appreciate it above cocoa.

 

 

Thanks for that very informative topic.

Good to know there is another cash crop with high potential being grown in Chiang Mai.

That's news to us, and probably many others here.

Sadly, too expensive for me, I limit my chocolate purchases to a maximum 100bht for 100gm.

And these companies seem to expect 220bht (and up) for 100gm, at least 2.2x my maximum cost.

 

 

3 hours ago, wasabi said:

Unsweetened Cacao is actually healthier for your heart than red wine. The problem is every restaurant adds a big scoop of sugar and whipped cream to it. Buy it unsweetened in a tin and enjoy it without the candy flavoring and it's a nice addition to coffee or as a stand alone drink.

 

For those unfamiliar Cacao and cocoa come from the same plant but cacao is the healthier option. It has a more bitter taste but I've learned to appreciate it above cocoa.

 

 

I like Cacao powder in a banana smoothie, makes it a healthy chocolate smoothie, no high glucose syrup like you get in most shops

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Sadly, too expensive for me, I limit my chocolate purchases to a maximum 100bht for 100gm.

And these companies seem to expect 220bht (and up) for 100gm, at least 2.2x my maximum cost.

 

 

Yeah, understand,  but you get what you pay for, huge difference in quality, like comparing a Ford to a Bentley 😀 or a burger to a steak.

 

 

15 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Yeah, understand,  but you get what you pay for, huge difference in quality, like comparing a Ford to a Bentley 😀

 

 

Cadbury's bubbly milk chocolate, 79bht for 120gm.

You can't beat it!

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Z0KPz3

 

When buying a product, I always compare enjoyment.

3 bars of bubbly Vs 1 bar of expensive .........

3 bars wins every time!

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Cadbury's bubbly milk chocolate, 79bht for 120gm.

You can't beat it!

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Z0KPz3

Oh cmon mate, thats cheap commercial mass produced with barely 23% - yr comparing vinegar to wine with that 

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

Oh cmon mate, thats cheap commercial mass produced with barely 23% - yr comparing vinegar to wind with that 

 

I recall previously he was feeding Tulip to his kids, and calling it the holly grail. It has like 70% sugar

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Cadbury's bubbly milk chocolate, 79bht for 120gm.

You can't beat it!

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Z0KPz3

 

When buying a product, I always compare enjoyment.

3 bars of bubbly Vs 1 bar of expensive .........

3 bars wins every time!

 

   20 Wine coolers or 1 bottle of proper wine?

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Cadbury's bubbly milk chocolate, 79bht for 120gm.

You can't beat it!

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Z0KPz3

 

When buying a product, I always compare enjoyment.

3 bars of bubbly Vs 1 bar of expensive .........

3 bars wins every time!

Now showing Bht 85.

My favourite Ritter Sport was Bht 89 for 100gms last year. Then went up to Bht 129. Last week Bht 79. 

I know a Brit who grows cacao in Buriram and sells much of his harvest to Callebaut.

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

20 Wine coolers or 1 bottle of proper wine?

20 wine coolers obviously.

~ 140 B for 1 kg melt chocolate at Makro, but 51 % sugar.

Still good choice for the ones on a budget and a chocolate craving.

 

Edit :

Yes I bought one , it did not last 2 weeks. 😒

We tried a few trees but the ants got them. Maybe I will plant a few more.

The wife gets chocolate from a farmer/roaster in chiangrai, pretty good stuff and she doesn’t ever lace it with sugar. 

6 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Did you know Thailand’s quietly become a legit chocolate player? Farmers in places like Chiang Mai, Chumphon, and Prachuap Khiri Khan grow some seriously flavorful Trinitario and hybrid cacao, and in the last decade a wave of small bean-to-bar makers popped up (Kad Kokoa, Paradai, Siamaya, Barada, etc.). They’re turning out single-estate dark bars, spicy inclusions like makwaen pepper or lemongrass, and even fresh cacao juice drinks. All tree-to-bar inside the country, often organic and direct-trade. Pretty wild for a place you’d never expect.

I tried Siamaya, quite good, but they dont make more than 80-85% pure chocolate bars. Taste is a little bit sour, but I do love it as I dont eat sugar. They have many 70% chocolate bars with other ingredients (excellent), and you can taste it in the shop (at least in Chiangmai). Little bit expensive but cheap chocolate is over for now . Rimping prices have double for Lindt. I found the cheaper one at Yok Interdrade.

I see them more and more in CM.

8 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I know a Brit who grows cacao in Buriram and sells much of his harvest to Callebaut.

I thought it needed the higher altitude of Chiang Mai etc to get the right climate for cacao?  In Buriram is it being grown at low level?

Do they make milk chocolate without nuts if so how much, I don't see any prices in the links.....

I order the chocolate from "YODDOI ORGANIC" in Chiang Rai. I like it.😋

49 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Do they make milk chocolate without nuts if so how much, I don't see any prices in the links.....

Visit the website https://baradachocolate.com/

4 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Visit the website https://baradachocolate.com/

I only see White chocolate and no price...

20 minutes ago, brian69 said:

I only see White chocolate and no price...

 

You need to look at the shop items... but here's a direct link for you...

 

https://baradachocolate.com/product/milk-chocolate-plain/

 

Are we going to pig out on the Khao Soi Curry chockie bars in Rimping Nawarat?

They certainly produce chocolate in Thailand, which is the reason my missus brings 5kg of chocolate with her everytime we visit from Australia!

 

We take pride in every bar, quality chocolate handcrafted from the bean to the bar, right here in Thailand.

Treat yourself to real chocolate this Christmas ! Taste the difference.

 

You can Buy it on our marketplace....

 

 

 

 

Since Charlie started this post about the making of chocolate in Phuket, I think the title should be changed to 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

31 minutes ago, ignis said:

 

Sounds good, but would not Order,  look at the delivery time    what state would it be in 7 days, never seen a pickup with refrigeration or maybe comes on a motorbike

Guaranteed refrigerated delivery – that's why they won't sell on Lazada etc as those places won't offer refrigeration. The product is guaranteed to reach you in good condition. Do a search for NIM Express, thats who carries it.