About Dahlia Chocolates
Chocolate Shop Location
Copenhagen Main Residences Hotel AC Cortes Ave., Mandaue City, Cebu
Phone Number : 0915-956-2394
Chocolate Shop Hours:
Mon - Sat 10 AM to 7 PM & Sun 11 AM to 6 PM
About Dahlia Chocolates
Dahlia Chocolates is a bean-to-bar chocolate shop based in Mandaue City, Cebu dedicated to crafting premium chocolate from locally sourced Filipino cacao beans. Every bar and confection is made from scratch, allowing us to capture the unique flavors of our country’s rich cacao heritage. By working directly with local farmers and cooperatives, we ensure transparency, quality, and support for sustainable farming practices. Inspired by European chocolate traditions yet rooted in the vibrant flavors of the Philippines, our creations reflect our passion for authentic, artisanal chocolate-making. At Dahlia Chocolates, we celebrate the art of chocolate while honoring the hands that cultivate each bean.
What is bean-to-bar?
Bean-to-bar chocolate refers to chocolate made directly from whole cacao beans, with the chocolate maker controlling every step of the process—from sourcing and roasting the beans to grinding, refining, and tempering them into finished chocolate. This approach contrasts with using pre-made chocolate like most chocolate shops.
The bean-to-bar process enables Dahlia Chocolates to showcase the unique flavors of various cacao origins from the Philippines, promoting transparency, quality, and often ethical sourcing by working directly with farmers and cooperatives.
About the Chocolatier
Grace Aquino, a US-based pastry chef with over a decade of industry experience, is the creative mind behind Dahlia Chocolates. After building and later selling her French-inspired pastry shop in California, Chef Grace followed her enduring passion for chocolate, drawn by the opportunity to work with locally sourced Filipino cacao beans. With a love for bold, unique flavors, she brings both her expertise and dedication to highlighting the rich, complex profiles of Philippine cacao. Outside the kitchen, Chef Grace enjoys quality time with her husband, Marlon, and their dog, Cash, along with indulging in her love of reading.
Why Dahlia?
The dahlia flower is one Chef Grace’s favorite flower, symbolizing "grace under pressure" among flower enthusiasts—an apt reflection of her journey and dedication in the world of chocolate-making. The flower embodies resilience, beauty, and elegance, qualities that inspire Chef Grace in her craft and are at the heart of Dahlia Chocolates.