Kabayan, Benguet: A Journey Through the Heart of the Cordilleras
Kabayan of the Benguet Province is probably best known for its position as a base camp for Mount Pulag which is the highest mountain on
Baguio City
Dulche Chocolates
From Highland Cocoa Farms to Your Travel Treats
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- Baguio City
Dulche Chocolates, located in Baguio City and sourcing cacao from Cordillera provinces, offers visitors a unique highland chocolate experience that combines artisanal craftsmanship with social impact. Through its bean-to-bar process, the brand transforms locally grown cacao into a variety of products, including dark chocolate bars, tablea, and specialty blends. Visiting Dulche allows travelers to witness the chocolate-making process, support local farmers, and participate in community-focused initiatives. The brand also plays a key role in regional events such as the Cordillera Chocolate Festival, highlighting the culture and heritage of Philippine cacao. Perfect for both chocolate enthusiasts and cultural travelers, Dulche Chocolates provides an authentic, meaningful, and delicious stop in the highlands.
Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Dulche Chocolates with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!
Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Dulche Chocolates. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.
A Highland Chocolate Experience
If you are planning a trip to the highlands of the Philippines, particularly around Baguio or Benguet, a visit to Dulche Chocolates offers a uniquely delicious and meaningful experience. Dulche is more than just a chocolate brand; it is deeply connected to the region’s cacao heritage, local communities, and the growing artisanal food culture in the Cordilleras. Visitors are treated not only to fine chocolate but also to the story behind each bar, highlighting the rich flavors of highland cacao.
Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.
Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.
Founding and Early Journey
Dulche Chocolates was founded in 2014 by Eva Ritchelle Padua. What began as a small, home‑based experiment “inside her household” eventually grew into a recognized small-to-medium enterprise (SME). From its humble beginnings, the brand steadily built a reputation for quality and commitment to local cacao, turning a personal passion into a thriving business with strong ties to the community.
Local Sourcing and Bean-to-Bar Craftsmanship
Dulche Chocolates sources its cacao beans from Cordillera provinces, including Benguet, Apayao, and Mountain Province, championing local agriculture instead of relying on imported cocoa. The company follows a bean-to-bar process, handling the full chocolate-making journey from fermented cacao beans to drying, roasting, and molding chocolate bars. Visitors can appreciate this artisanal process, which combines traditional methods with careful attention to quality. This ensures that every chocolate bar represents the unique terroir of the highlands while supporting local farmers.
Chocolate Flavors and Production
Dulche offers a wide variety of chocolate flavors and variants, including dark chocolate (70%, 80%, 100%), “Keto” dark chocolate (85%), “Fruity Ca‑mond,” “Arabica” (a coffee and cacao blend), mint/peppermint (“Shewsins”), “Verde Te,” strawberry/dark chocolate blends, and more. Over time, the total number of flavors has grown to more than a dozen. As of certain earlier years, the company was processing about 150 kilograms of cacao monthly, sourced from farms across Benguet and other Cordillera provinces. This production scale ensures visitors can taste a diverse range of chocolates, all crafted with high-quality local cacao.
Supporting Communities Through Chocolate
Dulche Chocolates emphasizes social and economic impact alongside its products. By sourcing cacao locally and collaborating with farmers, the brand contributes to the development of sustainable livelihoods. It provides training, mentoring, and capacity-building programs for local growers and aspiring chocolate makers. Every chocolate purchase supports local communities, making a visit to Dulche both a gastronomic and socially responsible experience.
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Visiting Dulche: Location and Pasalubong Ideas
Dulche’s main hub is located in Purok 18, Irisan, Baguio City. Its products are also available in various shops and pasalubong centers throughout Benguet and neighboring provinces, making them perfect souvenirs. Travelers coming from Manila or other cities can combine a trip to Baguio or La Trinidad with a stop at Dulche to enjoy a combination of local culture, artisanal food, and highland scenery.
Festivals and Cacao Celebrations
In 2024, Dulche played a key role in organizing the first Cordillera Chocolate Festival at Benguet State University in La Trinidad. The festival gathered cacao growers, chocolate makers, and enthusiasts to celebrate local cacao, regional livelihoods, and artisanal craft. Visiting during such events provides opportunities to enjoy chocolate tastings, discover cacao-based drinks and sweets, and meet local farmers and makers, offering a richer understanding of the chocolate culture in the highlands.
Recognition and Awards
Dulche Chocolates has received recognition for its quality and creativity. Their “Arabica Chocolates,” which combine coffee and cacao, were featured as one of the highlighted Filipino chocolate treats at IFEX Philippines (International Food Exposition) in 2019 under the Philippine Cacao Pavilion. Such accolades highlight Dulche’s growing reputation both locally and internationally.
Pairing Chocolate with the Cordillera Adventure
A trip to Dulche Chocolates can easily be paired with other highlights in the Cordilleras. Visitors can explore local coffee farms, scenic viewpoints, mountain trails, and traditional markets, combining culinary delights with nature and culture. This makes a visit to Dulche not only about chocolate tasting but also about experiencing the rich landscape and heritage of the region.
Why Dulche Chocolates Should Be on Your Itinerary
A visit to Dulche Chocolates provides an authentic experience that goes beyond commercial chocolate. Tasting their products connects travelers to the Cordillera story, supports local communities, and highlights sustainable farming practices. Their chocolates also make thoughtful souvenirs for friends and family. For those exploring Baguio and the surrounding highlands, Dulche Chocolates offers a unique blend of culture, craft, and scenic beauty, making it a must-visit destination.
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