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For those who love their chocolate close to its roots, ECHOstore's Choco Loco line offers a taste of the Philippines' heirloom cacao heritage, anchored by tablea sourced from the Canjulao League of Women in Bohol.
Bohol has long been recognized for its old cacao stock, and the Canjulao League of Women is among the local groups keeping that tradition alive. Working with cacao that grows in the province's hills, the women process the beans through fermentation, drying, and roasting before grinding and molding them into tablea, the dense, unsweetened discs used to make sikwate, the Philippines' traditional hot chocolate drink. Each tablet carries the deep, slightly bitter richness that comes from minimal processing, a stark contrast to mass-produced chocolate bars loaded with sugar and fillers.
Rounding out the Choco Loco line are cacao nibs and cocoa powder, crafted by small producers in Batangas under the Women in Cacao initiative, led by cacao expert Josephine Ramos. The nibs, made from naturally fermented and mildly roasted beans, are perfect for snacking, topping granola or oatmeal, or stirring into baked goods for an extra layer of chocolatey crunch. Because they're unsweetened, they let cacao's natural nutrients shine through, including antioxidants, magnesium, and iron, along with the mood-lifting compounds chocolate lovers swear by.
Beyond the flavor, buying these products supports women-led cacao initiatives across the Philippines. Every bag of tablea or nibs purchased helps sustain small-scale, community-based production rather than large commercial operations, keeping traditional Boholano methods and livelihoods intact.
Whether brewed into a comforting cup of sikwate, melted into a rich hot chocolate, or eaten straight from the bag, ECHOstore's cacao nibs and tablea offer an authentic, farm-direct way to enjoy Philippine chocolate. Available in-store at ECHOstore's Salcedo Village branch in Makati or online, they make a thoughtful gift for anyone who appreciates chocolate with a story and a cause behind it.
