Manila Chocolatier– High Quality Chocolates That Make For Excellent Pasalubong from the Philippines
The best chocolates for me from the Philippines– and they make excellent pasalubong and gifts from the Philippines! I’ve personally always thought that Raul Matias’ chocolates are the best in the Philippines. When he started out in 2009, it was Machiavelli Chocolatier (sold at Rustan’s) but since 2014, he has also added Manila Chocolatier to his portfolio.
The Master Behind the Brand
Matias is a native of Lubao, Pampanga. He was a licensed physical therapist in New York but found his true calling in chocolates. He took lessons at an online chocolate school, before finishing Master Chocolatier programs in Vancouver, Canada and Valhrona, France, before interning at various shops in New York and Florida. Currently, he creates these chocolates by using European chocolate-making techniques.
Authentic Filipino Ingredients and Flavors
What’s special about Manila Chocolatier is that his chocolate quality is top-notch (he sources from Davao, Ivory Coast, Malaysia and Indonesia) and the flavors 100% Pinoy. Manila Chocolatier’s chocolates are filled with only Filipino ingredients. Current flavors include Barako Coffee, Palawan Honey, Lambanog (Coconut Wine), Buko Pandan, Salabat (Ginger Tea), Calamansi, Banana Cue, Panotsa Caramel, Leche Flan, Jasmine Tea, Bukayo (Coconut Maccroons), Muscavado Nougat, Pili Nut, Mango and Ube (Purple Yam). Each one has a local Filipino element connected to it as a design.
For example, as a tribute to the Philippines’ Spanish heritage, the kalesa designed praline is stuffed with leche flan filling. This is ube, also known as purple yam, one of the crowd favorites. These are all explained in the brochure, too, so it’s a great dose of history to visitors of the Philippines.
Packaging and Calorie Information
Manila Chocolatier comes in a gorgeous blue packaging– with prints reflective of Filipino culture– national hero Jose Rizal, kalesa, local flowers and plants– with its logo embossed in gold. For weight watchers, he has the calorie count of each piece in the brochure as well, and it ranges from 27.2 calories per piece to 69.5 per piece.
Pricing and Box Options
They offer gorgeous Philippine-inspired pralines– both in design and flavor– in several size options:
- 8-piece box: PHP 650
- 15-piece box: PHP 1,200
Where to Find Manila Chocolatier
Manila Chocolatier is available at Artisan Cellar Door (G/F of Narra Building, 2276 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati; beside Security Bank); Duty Free Philippines, and soon at selected Rustan’s Supermarkets. You can visit their Facebook page or email [email protected] for more information. Surrounded by wines: the Manila Chocolatier display is also located at Artisan Cellar Door at Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati.
