It’s become a “thing” for Malls to have weekend food stalls. These are usually homemade start-ups that sell everything from desserts to frozen dimsum. I like going through stalls like these because I get great Christmas gift ideas (I usually give food), I learn about what’s new and last but not the least, I’m able to help small business owners. This is how I discovered the most amazing dark chocolate fudge brownie thingy.
Say the word Chocolate and I’ll usually come running. This is why, without realizing it, I gravitated towards the Chocolate Man. I don’t even know who he was at first but I saw he had an apron with the writing ChocoATBP on it so I walked over to investigate. He was stirring up something in a metal pot. More on that, later.
He was also chatting with some other customer which allowed me to peruse his wares unnoticed. He was selling artisan chocolates (very hipster, very New York) in nice, export-ready packaging. He doesn’t make these, he told me. He was displaying them for a friend, presumably Theo&Philo. Each bar is Php 95 and is 38g (1.3oz).
He recommended I try the Dark Chocolate/Green Mango and Seasalt and the Chocolate/Calamansi. So I purchased a bar of each. Verdict on the taste, to follow.
Each has 110 calories. Of course, that was the first thing I checked.
It’s about the size of an iPod Touch.
Chocolate Man also offered me a sample of the Chocolate Heaven Sinful Incredible Fireworks in Your Mouth Amazing Fudge Brownie Thingy. I might’ve added a few adjectives but that’s only because it was love at first bite. But wait, readers, this isn’t your average every day brownie. First of, it’s bitter. The bitterness hits you right away. To some it will taste burnt, for me, it had a nice smoky, bitter flavor. They make it with dark, local chocolate which explains this. Second, it’s not very sweet. Third, despite the first two points, it is still quite rich. It is, after all, fudge. However, to me it was more of a rich, flourless brownie in texture. I can’t explain it. It is soft and chewy. It would pair well with a big fat scoop of vanilla ice cream.
My mom and I split one block. It is Php 50. It’s not nakakasuya, you can eat an entire bar without realizing it. Good to have with coffee.
There is an orange flavored version which my brother preferred. The hint of orange cuts the bitterness of the dark chocolate. Objectively I will say it’s good. However, since I’m not a fan of fruit flavored chocolate, I passed this one up.
Back to that drink.. he was stirring up some hot chocolate. Again, it’s local chocolate so it’s naturally not as sweet as the international variety. It’s not milk chocolate hence the dark, semi-sweet, mildly bitter taste. It was good but you have to try it with an open mind. It certainly takes some getting used to.
I’m beginning to find that dark chocolate is an acquired taste, especially for the Filipino palette. I think we’re milk chocolate lovers, by default. That said, I’m glad to discover places like Theo&Philo and ChocoATBP who create yummy goodies from locally sourced, all-natural ingredients. By doing so, they are able to support local cacao suppliers and sustain smaller industries.
It just goes to show that, contrary to popular belief, Filipino products can be quite amazing. I mean, come on. That Fudge bar? Calamansi Chocolate? New Yorkers would go crazy for that stuff! Yet we have it here, proudly Filipino made. 🙂
ChocoATBP
by: Zoilo L. Andin Jr. (whom I have lovingly dubbed The Chocolate Man)
http://chocoatbp.multiply.com
Facebook : ChocoATBP
Theo&Philo – http://theoandphilo.com/
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