European, Middle Eastern and African Bean-to-Bar Competition 2025 – Winners

The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to announce the Winners of the European, Middle Eastern and African Bean-to-BarĀ competition, which was judged remotely in April-May 2025.

The winners’ announcement was held at Artisan HUB in Bucharest, Romania on Saturday, 17th May during a fun live event where specialty coffee expertise met with the best craft chocolate of Europe. Our co-founder Martin Christy was hosting the event together with Alex Rast, one of our Grand Juror, while our co-founder Monica Meschini and another Grand Juror, George Gensler joined us through Zoom.Ā 

The Grand Jury Finalists are listed here.

Winners of these rounds will pass through to the World Final organized in October-November 2025.

This competition awards prizes for plain/origin and flavoured bean-to-bar products from European, Middle Eastern and African chocolate makers.Ā 

Judges

The judges were drawn from local experts, food journalists, our IICCT Alumni and members of our permanent international Grand Jury.

Prizes

All judging is anonymized, including at the Grand Jury final session, where Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes are awarded by private voting.

** Winning products made with an entrant’s own bean-to-bar chocolate are marked with (**).

Awards are awarded only to entries that meet the required standard for each prize.

The 2025 European, Middle Eastern and African Bean-to-Bar Winners are:

(Prizes are shown in score order for each medal)


‘Best in competition’ overall winners

Plain/origin dark bar categories

Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – O’Payo 68% (90.2)

Plain/origin milk bar categories

Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – O’Payo Milk 50% (89.0)

Flavoured bar categories

Gold: MĆ­Å”ina čokolĆ”da  (Czech Republic) – Vegan Raspberry Chocolate 42% (92.3)

Barres llises/originals

Barres llises/originals negres

Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – O’Payo 68% (90.2) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

+ Gold: Direct Traded

+ Gold: Organic

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Johe 70% (88.9) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Nicaliso 70% (88.7) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Chuno 70% Double Turned (88.4) (**)

Silver: Meybol Cacao  (Germany) – Vraem 72% (88.2) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Chuno 70% Triple Turned (88.1) (**)

Silver: Vigdis Rosenkilde  (Norway) – 80% Echarate (87.7) ( * Theobroma Inversiones S.A.C (Cacaosuyo)) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Barba 70% (87.7) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Indio Rojo 70% (87.4) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Madagascar 64% Fast Dried (87.3) (**)

+ Special: Organic

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Rugoso 70% (87.0) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Don Alfonso 70% (86.5) (**)

Silver: Chocolaterie Morin  (France) – PĆ©rou Chanchamayo 63% A. Morin (86.5) (**)

Micro-batch – Barres llises/originals negres

Gold: Acaoyer  (France) – Nicaragua 70% – O’Payo (89.4) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

+ Gold: Organic

Silver: Ara Chocolat  (France) – Santa Cruz 72% (88.8) (**)

+ Gold: Direct Traded

Silver: Kaitxo  (Spain) – Tanzania 75% (88.7) (**)

Silver: LÄ«Lā  (Czech Republic) – Philippines Luna 75% (88.6) (**)

Silver: ShoukĆ¢ Chamonix  (France) – Philippine 73% de Cacao (88.5) (**)

Silver: S T R A N G E R craft chocolate  (Ukraine) – Ecuador 70% (88.5) (**)

Silver: Acaoyer  (France) – Madagascar 70% – T’mar (88.4) (**)

Bronze: S T R A N G E R craft chocolate  (Ukraine) – Guatemala 70% (87.7) (**)

Bronze: ShoukĆ¢ Chamonix  (France) – Chuao Grand Cru 74% de Cacao (87.5) (**)

Bronze: Kaitxo  (Spain) – Filipinas 70% (87.4) (**)

Bronze: Kestar Chocolate  (Romania) – Grenada Mount Horn Specialty 70% (87.4) (**)

Bronze: Aroko Chocolate  (Italy) – Porcelana 72% Sierra de Perija,Venezuela (87.3) (**)

Bronze: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – 70% Dark Madagascar (87.2) (**)

Bronze: S T R A N G E R craft chocolate  (Ukraine) – Colombia 73% (87.2) (**)

Bronze: Casa Cacao | El Celler de Can Roca  (Spain) – 68% Dark Chocolate Grana (87.2) (**)

Bronze: TƋRT Kakao  (Estonia) – Peru Ucayali River 70% (87.2) (**)

Bronze: Taman Artisan Chocolates  (Croatia) – Ecuador Finca Garyth National 70% (87.2) (**)

Bronze: 20°Nord 20°Sud  (France) – Utkku – Perou (87.1) (**)

Bronze: Cacao Experience  (France) – Perou 75% Gran Palo (87.1) (**)

Bronze: Kestar Chocolate  (Romania) – Peru Chuncho Chungi 70% (87.1) (**)

Bronze: Utopick Cacao  (Spain) – Haiti 70% (87.0) (**)

Bronze: Kina Chocolates  (Spain) – Chuncho 70% (87.0) (**)

Bronze: Diamonds Roastery  (Slovakia) – Peru Utkku Organic (86.9) (**)

Bronze: AurĆ©lien Plassard Chocolatier  (France) – Tablettes 70% De La Serrania Colombie (86.8) (**)

Bronze: Meybol Cacao  (Germany) – Chuncho Collection N°5 (86.8) (**)

Bronze: S T R A N G E R craft chocolate  (Ukraine) – Solomon Islands 70% (86.7) (**)

Bronze: Kestar Chocolate  (Romania) – Venezuela Criollo Choroni 70% (86.7) (**)

Bronze: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – 70% Tanzania, WomenĀ“s lot (86.7) (**)

Bronze: Beaningful  (Lithuania) – Bolivia Wild Tranquilidad 70 % (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Kaitxo  (Spain) – Peru Cuzco 70% (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Maychoco  (Spain) – Chocolate 70% Cuzco (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Beaningful  (Lithuania) – Peru Qori Inti 70% (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Feitoria do Cacao  (Portugal) – Chocolate Negro TailĆ¢ndia Chanthaburi 72 (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Choklad i vƤst  (Sweden) – Peru 70% (86.5) (**)

Barres llises/originals/negres alt % (> 85%)

Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – La Dalia 85% (88.7) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

+ Gold: Direct Traded

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – La Dalia 100% (88.2) (**)

+ Gold: 100%

Silver: Kestar Chocolate  (Romania) – Venezuela Criollo Choroni 95% (88.2) (**)

Bronze: Ara Chocolat  (France) – Chuncho 88% (87.7) (**)

Bronze: AurĆ©lien Plassard Chocolatier  (France) – Tablettes 90% Guatemala (87.5) (**)

Bronze: Kina Chocolates  (Spain) – 100% Chuncho (87.3) (**)

Bronze: Acaoyer  (France) – Madagascar 85% – T’Mar (86.8) (**)

Bronze: Aroko Chocolate  (Italy) – Tesoro di Chuao (86.7) (**)

Bronze: HƶganƤs Chocolate  (Sweden) – HƶganƤs – 100% Dark Chocolate Bar (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Meybol Cacao  (Germany) – Solo Kakao 90% (86.6) (**)

Barres llises/originals amb llet

Gold: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – O’Payo Milk 50% (89.0) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

+ Gold: Direct Traded

+ Gold: Organic

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Dark Milk 65% (87.5) (**)

Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Dark Milk 55% (86.4) (**)

Bronze: Chocolaterie Morin  (France) – Equateur Esmeralda LAIT 48% A. Morin (85.8) (**)

Bronze: Vigdis Rosenkilde  (Norway) – 60% Dark Milk Chocolate (85.8) ( * Theobroma Inversiones S.A.C (Cacaosuyo)) (**)

Micro-batch – Barres llises/originals amb llet

Silver: Casa Cacao | El Celler de Can Roca  (Spain) – 48% Milk Chocolate from indonesia (88.5) (**)

Silver: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Dark Milk Madagascar Sambirano 60% (87.8) (**)

Silver: ShoukĆ¢ Chamonix  (France) – Tanzanie Lait 60% de Cacao (87.0) (**)

Bronze: ShoukĆ¢ Chamonix  (France) – Venezuela Lait 52% de Cacao (86.6) (**)

Bronze: Maychoco  (Spain) – Chocolate con Leche 55%, Dark Milk (86.4) (**)

Bronze: Beskid Chocolate  (Poland) – Peru Ukajali River 50% (86.3) (**)

Bronze: TƋRT Kakao  (Estonia) – Peru Ucayali River Dark Milk (85.9) (**)

Bronze: TƋRT Kakao  (Estonia) – Nicaragua O’Payo Dark Milk (85.7) (**)

Barres llises/originals alternative

Gold: Clorawfila  (Spain) – Tuma 72%, Waslala – Nicaragua (89.5) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

+ Special: Alternate sugars

Silver: Kaicao  (Spain) – 90% Cacao Hacienda la Carrera (88.0) (**)

Silver: Kaicao  (Spain) – 85% Quinacho Cooperative Peru (87.3) (**)

Silver: Kaicao  (Spain) – 75% Kokoa Kamili Tanzania (87.3) (**)

Silver: Trufas Martinez  (Spain) – Dark Vegan Mylk Chufa de Valencia (86.6) (**)

+ Special: Alternate vegan milk

Silver: Kaicao  (Spain) – 75% Oko Caribe, Dr (86.4) (**)

Bronze: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – Cioccolato del MONVISO – ChocoAmel (85.6) (**)

Barres llises/originals blanques

Gold: Divina Colina  (Germany) – White Chocolate Cream Bar (88.6) (**)

+ Gold: Chocolate Maker

Silver: Chocolaterie Morin  (France) – PĆ©rou Chanchamayo Blanc 40% A. Morin (87.9) (**)

Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – White 40% (85.5) (**)


Barres de sabors

Barres de xocolata negra amb una infusió o aroma

Gold: Ivee Promenade  (Poland) – Red Currant. Dark Chocolate Brazil 70% (89.9) (**)

+ Special: Cacao flavoring/aging

Silver: Casa Cacao | El Celler de Can Roca  (Spain) – 70% Dark Chocolate W/ Macallan Whiskey (89.0) (**)

+ Special: Alcohol

Silver: Lady Merveilles  (France) – Chocolat Noir Whisky 75% Nicaragua (88.7) (**)

Silver: SAM Schoggi  (Switzerland) – Dunkli Schoggi mit Schweizer Arvenƶl (88.4) (**)

Silver: Nittedal Sjokoladefabrikk  (Norway) – Villpepper Og Kaffirlime (87.9) (**)

+ Special: Gastronomic

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Nicaliso 70% Cinnamon Leaf (87.9) (**)

Silver: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – Thai Chili (87.3) (**)

Silver: Ivee Promenade  (Poland) – Blueberry.Dark Chocolate Philippines 70% (87.3) (**)

Bronze: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Nordic Autumn Apple (86.7) (**)

Bronze: Chocokoo  (Estonia) – Costa Rica Black Garlic (86.5) (**)

Bronze: Casa Cacao | El Celler de Can Roca  (Spain) – 80% Dark Chocolate W/ Green Tea Jasmine (86.3) (**)

Bronze: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Nordic Summer Blossom (86.3) (**)

Bronze: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – Mulled Wine (86.1) (**)

Bronze: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Nordic Nature Sugar Kelp & Sea Salt (86.0) (**)

Bronze: Lady Merveilles  (France) – Chocolat noir Hydromel 75% Belize (86.0) (**)

Barres de xocolata negra amb inclusions o trossos

Gold: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – Cioccolato Del Monviso : al Genepy (90.2) (**)

+ Special: Alcohol

Silver: Vigdis Rosenkilde  (Norway) – 70% Piura with cacao nibs (89.4) (**)

+ Special: Classic

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – La Dalia 60% Nibs (89.3) (**)

Silver: chocoMe  (Hungary) – Chocome Atelier – ƅkesson 69% With Yuzu (88.9) (**)

Silver: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – Vermouth O’clock (88.7) (**)

Silver: Motoki_Labo  (France) – Un AprĆØs-midi D’automne (88.6) (**)

Silver: 20°Nord 20°Sud  (France) – Tsarafandray – Mada & Poivre Sauvage (87.6) (**)

Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Medagla 70% Soy (86.8) (**)

Bronze: Kestar Chocolate  (Romania) – Venezuela Villa Franca 70% Crunchy (86.8) (**)

Bronze: chocoMe  (Hungary) – Chocome Atelier – Rugoso 70% With Panko (86.7) (**)

Bronze: Kina Chocolates  (Spain) – Oli & Sal (85.9) (**)

Bronze: chocoMe  (Hungary) – Chocome Atelier- Choroni 72% With Iyokan (85.7) (**)

Bronze: chocoMe  (Hungary) – Chocome Atelier-choroni 72%,blood Orange (85.5) (**)

Barres de xocolata negra amb un farcit

Gold: Guido Castagna  (Italy) – Mes Gianduja Fondente (91.7) (**)

+ Special: Naked

Gold: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – Cioccolato del Monviso: l’altro Gianduja (91.5) (**)

+ Gold: Alternate theobromas

+ Special: Naked

Silver: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – Cioccolato del Monviso: il Gianduja (87.8) (**)

Silver: Beaningful  (Lithuania) – Hazelnut Gianduja (87.4) (**)

Bronze: Guido Castagna  (Italy) – Cento+Fondente Ripieno Giuinott (86.5) (**)

Barres de xocolata amb llet amb una infusió o aroma

Gold: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – Green Szechuan Pepper (90.4) (**)

+ Special: Gastronomic

Silver: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – 50% Milk & Wild Blueberry (90.0) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – O’Payo Milk Sansho 50% (89.4) (**)

Silver: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Caramelized Goat Cheese (89.4) (**)

Silver: S T R A N G E R craft chocolate  (Ukraine) – Milk & Chocolate 47% Cocoa (88.9) (**)

Silver: Casa Cacao | El Celler de Can Roca  (Spain) – 50% Milk Chocolate with Chai Tea (88.9) (**)

+ Special: Ingredients

Silver: Tobago Estate Chocolates  (Sweden) – Tobago Estate Chocolate Sea Salt (87.9) (**)

Silver: Harrer Chocolat  (Hungary) – Orange Mandarin Milkchocolate (87.7) (**)

Bronze: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – 50% Milk & Licorice Root (86.2) (**)

Bronze: Standout Chocolate  (Sweden) – Cloudberry Caramel (85.5) (**)

Barres de xocolata amb llet amb inclusions o trossos

Gold: FjĆ„k Chocolate  (Norway) – Milk Nibs & Oak Smoked Salt (89.5) (**)

+ Special: Gastronomic

Silver: Maychoco  (Spain) – Chocolate con Leche y Queso (89.3) (**)

Silver: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – Peter Carlsen – Limited Edition (87.4) (**)

Silver: SAM Schoggi  (Switzerland) – Halbdunkli Schoggi Paranuss&Kürbiskernen (87.4) (**)

Silver: Utopick Cacao  (Spain) – Tonka y Pera (87.3) (**)

Bronze: Feitoria do Cacao  (Portugal) – Chocolate de Leite NicarĆ”gua 57% + Nibs (85.9) (**)

Bronze: Utopick Cacao  (Spain) – Sanguineli Azahar (85.7) (**)

Bronze: chocoTales of Warsaw  (Poland) – Milk Choco W/ Brown Butter & Smoked Salt (85.6) (**)

Barres de xocolata blanca amb una infusió o aroma

Gold: MĆ­Å”ina čokolĆ”da  (Czech Republic) – Vegan Raspberry Chocolate 42% (92.3) (**)

+ Special: Ground-in

+ Special: Vegan

Silver: Harrer Chocolat  (Hungary) – Cascara (88.0) (**)

Silver: Prague Chocolate Steiner & Kovarik  (Czech Republic) – White Chocolate 40% With Asparagus (87.8) (**)

Barres de xocolata blanca amb inclusions o trossos

Gold: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – Cioccolato Del Monviso – Viola Mirtillo (91.1) (**)

+ Special: Local ingredients

Silver: Kaicao  (Spain) – 37% White Camel Milk Chocolate (90.1) (**)

+ Special: Non-cow milk

Silver: Depetris Riccardo / Depetris…i CiculatĆ©  (Italy) – C.monviso Lampone, Rosa Canina, Ibiscus (88.8) (**)

Silver: Maychoco  (Spain) – Chocolate Blanco Vegano al TĆ© MarroquĆ­ (88.5) (**)

Bronze: Friis-Holm Chokolade  (Denmark) – White Nibs (86.4) (**)

Bronze: Beskid Chocolate  (Poland) – Blonde 40% With Salted Almonds (85.5) (**)


Cocoa Powder

Silver: Chocolaterie Morin  (France) – Poudre Madagascar Sambirano A. Morin (86.4) (**)

Cocoa Butter

Gold: Chocolaterie Morin  (France) – Beurre PĆ©rou Chanchamayo A. Morin (88.6) (**)


(*)  Declared chocolate maker for private label bars.

(**) Winner has declared the product is made with their own bean-to-bar chocolate or couverture.