You probably found this while looking for Hawaiian chocolate shops, and maybe even Honolulu chocolate shops in particular. But did you know that Hawaii is the only state in the US which can actually grow chocolate? The chocolate tree is called Theobroma cacao, and these cacao trees grow quite happily in the tropical clime of …

Have you ever wanted to visit a chocolate farm, and try a fresh chocolate fruit straight off the tree? Of course you have! For those of you not in-the-know, the chocolate tree is called Theobroma cacao, and it grows within 25 degrees of the equator, putting Hawaii right at the edge of its growing region. …

“There’s growing and then there’s making, right, and both are distinct arts. So what is Hawaiian chocolate? Is it only that it’s grown here? What if it’s shipped to Switzerland— does it then become Swiss chocolate because it’s made there?” -Tammie Butterbaugh, Manoa Chocolate Hawai’i has made both their pineapples & their macadamia nuts world …

Paradise. This is most people’s understanding of Hawaii. There are palm trees swaying in the wind, a gentle surf, and pineapples. Sometimes we imagine macadamia nuts and hula dancers, but overall it’s more tropical beach than rain forest. But such images just scratch the surface of Hawaiian potential, and all the many unique things to …

Bar: 72% with Salt Maker: Manoa (Oahu, Hawai’i, USA) Price: $9.95/56.7g (Direct From Maker) Overall Rating: 8/10 Munch Factor: 7/10 Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter & Salt Appearance: Thin personalized mold with the brand’s name on the front and . Aroma: Sweet fudgey brownies with dried fruit. Melt & Snap: okay melt & strong snap. Flavor: Savoury mushroom immediately blossoms into …

Bar: 60% Breakfast Bar Maker: Manoa (Oahu, Hawai’i, USA) Price: $9.95/56.7g (Direct From Maker) Overall Rating: 8/10 Munch Factor: 8/10 Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar, Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter & Coffee Beans Appearance: Beautiful new mold from Manoa, with the coffee & cacao nibs absolutely coating the back; very dark brown color for a milk chocolate. Aroma: Sweet medium-roast coffee …

Bar: Costa Rica 72% Maker: Manoa (Oahu, Hawai’i, USA) Price: $7.95/49g (Bright River Chocolate) Overall Rating: 8/10 Munch Factor: 3/10 Ingredients: Cacao Nibs, Sugar, Cocoa Butter Appearance: Pre-broken mold surrounding the Manoa logo, and unremarkable dark brown color. Aroma: Rich sweet fudge. Melt & Snap: beautiful melt & nice snap. Flavor: Dark grassiness and then pure cocoa …

Bar: Goat Milk 69% Maker: Manoa (Oahu, Hawai’i, USA) Price: $9.75/49g (Bright River Chocolate, Online US Retailer) Overall Rating: 8/10 Munch Factor: 8/10 Ingredients: Cacao Nibs, Cane Sugar, Goat Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter Appearance: Pre-broken mold with large blocks on either side of a stylized “manoa” imprint. Very dark brown in color. Aroma: Deep cocoa and some …

Bar: 60% Dark Milk with Lavender Maker: Manoa (Oahu, HI, USA) Price: $9.75/49g (Bright River Chocolate, Online US Retailer) Overall Rating: 8/10 Munch Factor: 7.5/10 Ingredients: Cacao Nibs, Cane Sugar, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Lavender Appearance: Medium brown like a dark chocolate would be; 6 pre-broken blocks with a huge stylized “Manoa” one in the …