Medicilândia stands out with the largest amount of award-winning chocolate in the Cocoa Fair competition
The names of the winning businesses were announced on Saturday night (7) amidst a large audience with organized cheering. Brasil Novo, Igarapé-Miri, and Vitória do Xingu were also among the winners.
The best chocolates from Pará were revealed this Saturday (7), during the penultimate night of the Cocoa and Chocolate Fair and Flor Pará. Ascurra Chocolate, from the municipality of Medicilândia — the largest cocoa producer in the state, located in the Xingu Integration Region — was the big winner of the edition, winning three awards: first and third places in the Innovation category and first place in the Milk category.
Another highlight of the night was Belamazônia, from the municipality of Vitória do Xingu, which received second and third places in the Milk category.
In the Innovation category, second place was won by Cacaway, also from Medicilândia. The brand also secured second place in the Intense category, whose first place went to Kakao Blumen, from Brasil Novo, and third place to Chocolate Yeshua, from Igarapé-Miri.
The award ceremony gathered a significant audience, complete with organized cheering, and was marked by emotion and recognition. The competition was promoted by the Center for the Valorization of Bioactive Compounds of the Amazon (CVACBA), from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), with the aim of valuing artisanal production and strengthening the productive chain of Pará chocolate.
During the event, authorities such as the Secretary of Agricultural Development and Fisheries, Giovanni Queiroz, and the president of the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of Pará (Faepa), Carlos Xavier, participated in the announcement of the winners.
For the manager of Sedap, the award symbolizes the recognition of the efforts of Pará producers and chocolatiers, who have been gaining space in the national and international scene.
“This is an award for the people of Pará, transforming this rich cocoa bean into chocolate of the best quality; we are proud of what we have here, with men and women with initiative, producing the best flavors for the Brazilian people,” emphasized Giovanni Queiroz.
Dedication recognized
The big winner of the night, producer Robson Brogni, from Ascurra Chocolate, celebrated the result. Even with previous awards, he expressed surprise at the recognition of this edition.
“Last year, we didn’t win anything and this year was a nice surprise: two first places and one third. This award will go to the factory staff. I take care more of the fermentation part; I dedicate it to my children and especially to my wife, Sarah, who is a chocolatier at Ascurra, even trained by the Faepa/Senar System,” he celebrated.
Ascurra specializes in fine cocoa and operates both in the production of its own chocolate (tree to bar) and in supplying brands that produce artisanal chocolate (bean to bar) at the Ascurra site in Medicilândia.
Record participation
The coordinator of the competition, Professor Dr. Jesus Souza, highlighted the growth of chocolate production in the state, evidenced by the participation in the competition: there were 15 companies representing 12 municipalities.
“When we think about the universe of the State, 15 companies that produce chocolate is very interesting, as it shows that our work is growing over time. It is a consolidated effort that makes the productive chain think not only about the production of the bean but also encourages chocolate production,” he emphasized.
Jesus also explained that each company could register up to two products per category.
“We limit two chocolates per category. If they are good, as happened, for example, with Ascurra and Belamazônia, where two of their products were among the top three, they fit the rules and are awarded because they are good products,” he concluded.
Check out the winners of the best chocolate from Pará
Innovation Category
1st place – Ascurra Chocolate (Medicilândia)
2nd place – Cacaway Chocolate (Medicilândia)
3rd place – Ascurra Chocolate (Medicilândia)
Milk Category
1st place – Ascurra Chocolate (Medicilândia)
2nd place – Belamazônia Chocolate (Vitória do Xingu)
3rd place – Belamazônia Chocolate (Vitória do Xingu)
Intense Category
1st place – Kakao Blumen (Brasil Novo)
2nd place – Cacaway (Medicilândia)
3rd place – Cacau Yeshua (Igarapé-Miri)
