Malaysian Borneo is an absolutely stunning place. I can't speak to any of the rest of the island, as I've never been, but I was floored by the island's natural beauty— and the historical abundance of cacao.
Malaysia's been growing cocoa for over two centuries, with the first trees blooming on peninsular Malaysia. These days, chocolate is something Malaysians pride themselves on. Yet many locals still don't realize how little of their chocolate is made with Malaysia-grown cacao.
While cocoa production remains on the decline, most Malaysian cacao is now grown on Borneo, particularly in the areas of Tawau, Kuching, and Sabah. Chocolate making isn't very common on the island, at the moment, but there are a few local chocolate brands working to revive the industry.
A few of these brands are based in Kota Kinabalu, and all of them are using Malaysian cacao to craft some truly Malaysian chocolates. Check out my picks below.
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Bonaterra Chocolate
Undeniably out of the way for most visitors, Bonaterra is nonetheless worth a stop for learning all about how chocolate is made from bean to bar, all in one place. This is currently the only chocolate maker in Sabah with a public chocolate factory, as well as a showroom where you can buy their chocolates.
At the moment, Bonaterra's chocolate line includes only dark chocolates made with local Sabah cocoa, a few of which have added inclusions like matcha powder or cacao nibs.
The emphasis of their products is upon health and indulgence all in one. This is also the spot to source your cocoa nibs and baking chocolate, as some of the highest quality stuff you can find in Malaysia. No palm oil in sight.
Address: No. 25, Lot 81, Semi-Detached Commercial Unit, Sierra Bizhub, Off, Mile 13, Jalan Tuaran, Menggatal, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Hours: 9am-5pm, weekdays & 9am-1pm, Saturdays
Simply Chocolate
Established in 1995, Simply Chocolate is one of the older chocolate shops in Kota Kinabalu. While I didn't have the chance to visit their outlet on my trip, their site shows that they offer fruit- and nut-flavored bonbons at both their own shop and from retailers around Sabah.
The flavors in their lineup range from Banana, Sabah Tea, or Durian Milk to more staples like Almond or Peanut. You can order online or pick up in store, but based on the date they were established, there's a high probability that their bonbons are made with compound chocolate.
Address: 115, Lorong Muntahan, Taman Milik 1, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Hours: 8am-5pm, weekdays & 8am-12pm, Saturdays [closed on public holidays]
Jaws & Claws (no shop at the moment)
Jaws & Claws is a direct-trade bean to bar chocolate company; at the time of publication, they have 3 single origin chocolates available. Right now there are one or two more origins in development, with an emphasis on partnering with local female cocoa farmers.
Their line is only available by special order, but the all-dark bar lineup will soon be joined by a milk chocolate, and are available in customizable packages. The bars are made using local cocoa from Sabah cacao regions like Keningau and Apin-Apin.
These are both places where co-owner Josephine works with local farmers to develop good post-harvest processing and convince them that there is a market for their cacao if they're willing to keep the trees on their land.
Shoot Josephine, the co-founder of Jaws & Claws, an email or Instagram DM if you'd like to place an order. Click here to see their email address & Instagram.
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